As we become more aware of our responsibility to design spaces that are not only beautiful but environmentally responsible too, the options for products and finishes that are eco-friendly continue to rise. Today we thought we'd share four eco-friendly finishes you can incorporate to your future design projects. Whether you're a designer or contractor trying to make an impact by selecting more environmentally friendly finishes or a homeowner or business owner looking to make a few design changes, these are four materials we think you should be looking into for your next design project.
1. Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is a renewable resource that replenishes quickly, requires minimal fertilization and pesticides and is recognized by LEED as an environmentally responsible material choice. A bamboo tree can be harvested in three years without the need for replanting whereas a tree such as an oak can take up to 120 years to mature. If you're looking for a floor or wooden accent, bamboo might be worth considering!
2. Cork
Cork is a non-toxic, renewable material that has countless options for applications. Being a flexible and lightweight material cork can be used for furniture, wall coverings, flooring and other design accents. Cork is a soft product that's warm underfoot and as a bonus, it's also anti-bacterial. So consider using cork in your next design project for added warmth, texture and environmental responsibility.
3. LED
When it comes to choosing lighting or lighted accents in your design, LED is the most sustainable choice. LED lights use less energy than other bulbs. They emit very low levels of heat compared to other bulbs and as they last up to 20 years or longer, they require less materials compared to traditional bulbs. LEDs are also recyclable making them a very sustainable choice.
4. Prima Stone
Now this list wouldn't be complete if we didn't sing our own praises in the environmental responsibility department. Simply put, when compared to traditional slab or porcelain, Prima Stone is the more environmentally friendly choice. We can produce 6 Prima Stone panels from one traditional slab of stone. This means we use 80% less material and provide and identical surface aesthetic. Due to its narrower profile and lesser weight, transportation and packaging consumption is reduced. Additional structural support is not required to bear the weight of Prima Stone. This can have an overall impact on the materials required to build a tower or project.Prima Stone is easier to handle compared with porcelain and slab because it is 10 x stronger. This strength allows for less waste due to cracking and breakage.
