ST. LOUIS, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- As global warming continues to dominate headlines, many eco-conscious consumers are looking for ways to make a difference. Whether it's driving hybrid cars, or installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, many consumers are choosing products that have less of an environmental impact on our world. When it comes to flooring options, wood floors offer the most ecologically sound alternative. Think about it ... wood is produced in a factory called a forest by a renewable source of energy called the sun. In the past, many environmentalists charged that harvesting trees destroyed wildlife habitats, and displayed images of clear cutting to prove it. The truth is that there are more trees in existence today than there were in the 1950s -- 98% more between 1953 and 2002, according to the USDA Forest Service. What's even more impactful is that for every tree harvested in the US, 10 more are planted in its place, and while it may take 40-50 years for those new trees to mature, the wood won't be needed for another 50 years. How is that so? A study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) ranked how long things last in homes. Wood floors were rated at 100+ years, so the trees planted today will mature by 2057, but won't be needed until 2107. And during that time, they contribute oxygen to the atmosphere while consuming carbon dioxide. Need more convincing that wood is eco-friendly? Wood flooring is recognized as an environmentally friendly, renewable and sustainable resource by such organizations as the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, and the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines.
