Article Number : 6244 |
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| Date | 12/31/2010 10:37:44 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=6244 |
| Abstract | Flooring is a fashion item in every sense of the word. That’s why consumers often turn to interior designers to help in their redecorating projects. And because designers work with all elements of an interior space, from the floors to the lights and from the furniture to the window coverings, they have... |
| Article | Flooring is a fashion item in every sense of the word. That’s why consumers often turn to interior designers to help in their redecorating projects. And because designers work with all elements of an interior space, from the floors to the lights and from the furniture to the window coverings, they have a good understanding of not just the latest trends but how they are perceived by end users. This includes the desire and subsequent use of environmentally friendly materials, including floor coverings. To get a better perceptive on this as well as the general perception of the industry’s “greenness,” Floor Covering News had an opportunity to sit down with interior designer Torie Halbert, one of Houston’s best known interior designers. Do you find many of your clients are asking for green flooring options? Absolutely. I have a lot of clients that are asking me for green design solutions. They are interested in trying green alternatives; however, they often ask me if there are any major differences— if green flooring will look out of place, or if it will last as long as other flooring. I tell them that “going green” does not mean “going bland.” There are now so many beautiful options and a consumer usually cannot tell the difference between a green floor and a traditional product, until she begins reading the information on the back of the samples. Plus, some of the most environmentally friendly products are also the most durable. Green flooring still tends to cost more. Do you think consumers are becoming more receptive to paying a bit extra for more environmentally friendly products? I find most clients are willing to look at all the long-term benefits, such as improved air quality in their homes. Many of the green flooring products out there are also of very high quality and people know that investing more initially will save them money in the long run. It is also not always the case that green alternatives are more costly. I have found that refinishing and reusing reclaimed wood from old buildings and barns cost me far less than newly finished wood. Yes, it’s a little more work hand picking out the boards to use, but it’s definitely worth it. You’re repurposing and the flooring is uniquely yours. Bamboo and cork are also other renewable resources that are very competitively priced. Many designers are now focusing more on green design. What are you doing to incorporate eco-friendly elements into some of your upcoming projects? I design from the ground up. That essentially means I work with clients starting from the initial blueprints. Some design elements I try to always incorporate are environmentally friendly flooring such as bamboo, carpeting and cork; energy efficient windows and roofing; faux exterior stone made from recycled crushed aggregate; counter tops and backsplashes made from recycled materials, and low VOC paint—especially for my expecting clients. In my current makeover, I am repurposing some of the client’s furniture, using no-VOC paint and installing a beautiful Setaria-Pebblestone Berber carpet by Nature’s Carpet. Do you think flooring retailers are providing enough eco-friendly choices to consumers? I think there is starting to be a good blend, but I would like to see more—especially in the wood flooring area and the composite tile area. Congoleum makes a product called DuraCeramic that is made from crushed limestone, which is recycled, and is good for subfloors that may not be even. I also love the beautiful backsplashes that are made from recycled glass and herringbone mosaics made from beautiful recycled coconut shells that I am seeing in green stores. It would be great to see even more options made from recycled and repurposed products like this in the flooring industry. How can consumers know that manufacturers are actually living up to their claims about the environmental benefits of green flooring or green products? It is really important to do your homework and confirm if the product you are using lives up to the commitments that are being made by the manufacturer. Many products that are claimed to be eco-friendly offer little real environmental benefit. The Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) provides the CRI Green Label Plus designation to carpet products that have passed stringent tests of chemical emissions. Having an independent certification like this gives you an assurance you’re getting what you expect. When looking at wood flooring, the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) certification is an important standard to look for. All products that are FSC-certified contain wood or wood fiber from FSC-certified forests, recycled material and/or controlled wood. There are lots of good, green options out there and consumers really need to educate themselves and look for products that have been certified by reliable independent third parties. A number of people might be concerned that in going green they have to sacrifice style and design. Do you think that’s the case? It is important for any business, green or not, to stay on top of trends and continually provide their clients with what they want. The average consumer thinks she will have a bland product if she decides to go green, but that is not the case. So many manufactures are trying to incorporate style while being eco-friendly. Nature’s Carpet is one company that I think stands out for pairing environmental performance with style, particularly with its Dark Green products. There are a number of other companies that have also really done their homework staying on-trend with design and style when it comes to such things as bamboo, cork and even recycled materials. Clients want the most current products in their home, and many want to be environmentally conscious, as well. As a designer, I owe it to them to stay on top of what’s hot in the design industry and with all the great new green choices, it makes it easy for me to do that. Torie Halbert has been a professional interior designer since 1998 and was a finalist on season four of HGTV’s “Design Star.” She hosts a regular segment on CBS’s “Great Day Houston” where she does room makeovers for deserving families. To contact her, email torie.halbert@comcast.net or visit tothetinteriors.com. |