Whether you need wood for flooring, millwork, furniture, fireplace mantels or exposed beams, you can add instant character to your home by installing reclaimed and restored lumber.  These antique pieces of wood, some species no longer available, are very strong and stable.  This wood is typically sourced from historic buildings, barns, factories and mills.

We can conserve our precious natural resources by utilizing reclaimed wood and reducing our demand for newly milled wood products.

You’ll find rich Chestnut, Heart Pine, Rock Elm, Oak, Hickory, Heart Cypress and other hardwoods that’ll transform your living spaces into extraordinary rooms.

To maintain the earth-friendly quality of the wood, have it finished with low-VOC or no-VOC (harmful volatile organic compounds) products.  It’ll also keep your indoor air quality clean.

The following companies offer reclaimed wood products, some re-milled and ready-to-go.  I’ve included the state the company originates from, but most service other areas as well.

• Elmwood Reclaimed Timber, Missouri, not only offers cabinet lumber, flooring and beams (pictured above), but also countertops, tabletops and stair parts.
• Green Waste Recycle Yard, California, diverts local urban woods (not antique wood) from landfills and transforms them into dimensional lumber, flooring, table tops, countertops, landscape timbers, mulches and biomass fuels.
• Morningside Reclaimed Woods, Pennsylvania, supplies beautiful high quality old growth lumber, weathered reclaimed barn wood, wide plank flooring, paneling, trim and beams throughout the east coast.
• Mountain Lumber Company, Virginia, offers beautifully crafted lumber that has been de-nailed, sawn, kiln dried and pre-finished (pictured here).
• Superior Hardwoods and Millwork, Montana, offers hand-hewn timbers, lumber, flooring and decking.

Find other reclaimed wood companies in my previous post on the subject.

If you’re lucky enough to have hot water radiators, the most comfortable and least allergen-producing heating system, you may be wondering how to increase their efficiency this winter.  Here are some tips to help save money on your heating bills:

1. Place a radiant screen, made of reflective insulation, behind the radiator to direct more heat into your room.
2. Be sure not to block air flow around the radiator with furniture or drapes.
3. “Bleed” the radiator if the top feels cold and the bottom is warm.  Learn how to do this safely here.  You can purchase an automatic radiator valve that will bleed the radiator for you when needed.
4. Have your heating system inspected and maintained annually.
5. Lower the temperature in rooms rarely used if you have a TRV (thermostatic radiator valve) on more modern radiators.  You can retrofit older radiators with TRVs too.
6. “Balance” your radiators if ones located farther away from the boiler are cooler than ones closer to it.  Learn how to do this yourself here.

image above courtesy of Heat USA

Want to create a cozy retreat for those cold, wintry days and nights?  There are many things you can do to make your home feel warmer, improve its efficiency and lower energy bills.  In this post I’ll focus on ideas for drafty windows and doors.

• ADD THERMAL DRAPES OR ADD CURTAIN LINERS to your regular curtains to keep your rooms warmer.  Options include liners that permanently attach to your existing curtains (either by sewing or using iron-on fusable tape), or liners that hang on the rod in back of your regular curtain.
• LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN by opening curtains during the day, especially in south-facing rooms where sunlight is strongest.  Remember not to let landscape plants block windows outside your house.  Always consider the mature height and spread when adding new plants.
• REMOVE WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS!
• ADD DOOR DRAFT STOPPERS to the bottom of doors and windows.  They’re relatively inexpensive and also easy to make.
• STORM WINDOWS in older windows help reduce heat loss.  “Shrink film” window kits will also help, especially on drafty sliding glass doors.
• SEAL AIR LEAKS around doors and windows with non-toxic, low VOC (harmful volatile organic compounds) caulks and weatherstripping.
• INSTALL SOLAR INFLECTOR SCREENS that draw in the sun’s heat in winter and block it out in summer.  You’ll significantly increase your window’s efficiency.
• INSULATE YOUR ATTIC DOOR with an attic door cover or tent on pull-down doors or with rigid foam board insulation and weatherstripping on walk-up attic doors. In winter, this will keep heated air in your living spaces, and will keep hot attic air out in summer.

photo courtesy of starmist1

Looking for long-lasting, durable fencing?  Today’s composites offer the look of wood without all the maintenance.  Not all composite fencing contains recycled or reclaimed materials, so be sure to inquire if you’re looking at brands other than those listed below.

Close the Loop (made in Pennsylvania) offers post and rail fencing made from 100% recycled HPDE plastic (mostly milk jugs) that require no painting or staining.  It comes in colors of black, gray and cedar.

Fiberon® fencing is made from locally-sourced, discarded wood flour (8%) generated from other wood processes and 84% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) from plastic milk jugs, shampoo and laundry detergent bottles.   Three colors are available:  weathered pine, pacific redwood, coastal cedar.  The company is mindful of the environment and recover 98.5% of all material waste from their manufacturing processes.  Fiberon fencing comes with a 20 year warranty.

LifeTime Lumber‘s privacy, decking and equine fencing is made with 60+% recycled (pre-consumer) mineral ash and binded with polyurethanes making it resistant to insects, rotting, mildew, fire, fading, staining, splitting and splintering.  Limited lifetime warranty is included.  (pictured above)

Nature’s Composites’ TerraFence is made in the USA from wheat straw and recycled HDPE.  They offer a 20-year warranty on a variety of styles in shadow box, privacy, basket weaves, ranch 2-rails, as well as ornamental styles.  Their composite fencing does not splinter or crack, and needs no painting or staining.

TimberTech FenceScape composite fencing is made from reclaimed wood flour and available in a rich, warm mountain Cedar color.   There’s no painting, staining or sealing, and FenceScape won’t split, rot, warp, crack, splinter or suffer termite damage.   TimberTech offers a 25-year warranty.

Many manufacturers, large and small, are jumping on the green bandwagon and producing upholstered furniture with more than just style and your comfort in mind.  The following companies adhere to sustainable practices, use eco-friendly materials and most manufacture their furnishings here in the USA.

So, whether you’re looking for new living room furniture with clean contemporary lines or something a bit more traditional, opt for pieces that incorporate reclaimed or FSC-certified woods, plant-based foam cushions (as opposed to conventional petroleum-based ones) and/or natural fabrics.

• BKIND3 uses linen & recycled cotton fabrics and some soy-based foam.
• Cisco Brothers uses FSC-certified hardwoods and offers natural upholstery.
• Crate & Barrel has incorporated FSC-certified wood frames, soy and corn-based cushions, into 50+ styles of their upholstered furniture.
• EcoBalanza handcrafts their furniture using FSC-certified woods, natural latex cushions, organic cotton & wool batting, and natural & recycled content fabrics.
• Lee Industries‘ naturalLee line is made with FSC-certified wood frames, soy-based cushions, recycled fiber pillows, natural fabrics and water-based stains (furniture pictured above).
• MetroSofa builds their newly restored, unique furniture utilizing old and antique wood frames.
• RC Green creates furniture with certified & reclaimed woods, low or no VOC finishes, natural fabrics, water-based glues, and soy/latex/recycled foam.
• Rowe’s EcoRowe line & La-Z-Boy‘s EcoComfort line  have incorporated some eco-friendly production practices and materials into their pieces.
• The Sofa Company‘s custom sofas are made from FSC-certified woods, jute webbing, water-based stains & glues, soy-based cushions and even recycled steel.

Butcher block and wood countertops have evolved to include a variety of looks and materials, yet still offer a timeless look in either traditional or contemporary styled kitchens, as well as in bathrooms.  To keep it eco-friendly, choose from reclaimed woods, FSC-certified woods, Kirei board (made from sorghum straw waste) or bamboo.

Benefits of wood surfaces include:  easy cleaning (with non-toxic products, vinegar solutions or soapy water) and scratches can be sanded out.  Periodic re-application of finishes is typically recommended.  To maintain good indoor air quality, be sure to have your new countertop, kitchen island or tabletop sealed with low VOC finishes.

Here’s where you can find these amazing works of art:

• Endurawood (based in Portland, OR) creates countertops utilizing several species of FSC-certified wood, reclaimed wood, Kirei board, bamboo and Richlite (a paper composite material).  They’re available in edge grain (classic butcher block appearance), end grain (parquet style) and face grain (plank style), all with low-VOC finishes.

• Proteak‘s plantations are FSC-certified and on reclaimed ranch land along Mexico’s Pacific coast (the closest quality teak source to the US).  Their “slow growth teak” are grown without the use of fertilizers or irrigation.  “A naturally high oil content gives teak its famous ability to resist moisture and maintain its appearance.  Countertops and islands are available in face grain, edge grain, or end grain styles (finished or unfinished).”

• Teragren‘s furniture-grade products are made with Optimum 5.5® Moso bamboo (allowed to mature to 5.5 or 6 years resulting in one of the hardest of bamboo) in several styles.  They offer food-grade mineral oil and beeswax finishes or you may opt for unfinished countertops.

• Windfall Lumber (based in Tumwater, WA) offers their creations made from new and reclaimed FSC-certified woods in two styles:  side grain (classic butcher block) or end grain for a hard work surface.  (pictured above)

• Raging River Counterworks (based in Norwich, CT) offers some FSC-certified wood countertops in Cherry, Quartersawn White Oak and Quartersawn Maple.  They also use salvaged butternut trees sourced from a grass-roots organization called Vermont Wildwoods.

Hardwood floors are not only very appealing, but they are durable, easy-to-clean and long-lasting.  Whether you need new flooring for a historic property or a new build, hardwood flooring is a great option for many rooms in your home.  The best flooring is made from sustainably-harvested woods with finishes that won’t compromise indoor air quality.

By choosing these products (from local dealers), you’ll be supporting the green economy and keeping clean air inside your home.  Be sure to avoid wood flooring originating from the rainforest, unless it is FSC-certified, to guarantee against devastating deforestation.

• EcoTimber (based in the USA) manufactures gorgeous hardwood flooring from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) trees, as well as FSC-certified reclaimed wood (from fallen trees, antique wood or furniture scraps) sourced from forests in the USA and abroad.  Floors are finished without harmful urea-formaldehyde (an ingredient commonly found in conventional products).  This company offers decades-long warranties!  (pictured above)
• Smith & Fong’s Durapalm flooring is made from reclaimed coconut or sugar palm trees that are past their fruit-bearing years.  This unique flooring product is available pre-finished or unfinished and is free of urea-formaldehyde.
• Kährs, a Swedish company, manufactures beautiful hardwood flooring from FSC-certified or PEFC-certified (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) sources.  This eco-conscious company uses an entirely solvent-free production process and uses the most environmental-friendly stains and finishes.

Another great option for sustainable hardwood flooring is that which is made from reclaimed wood.  This AMAZING-looking wood is sourced from historic buildings and barns, old wine barrels, and even from the bottom of lakes and rivers.  Check out my earlier posts here and also here to find a local supplier of reclaimed wood flooring.

photo courtesy of GreenBuildingElements.com

In Part I of this series on lowering your summer utility bills, I focused on the quick and easy fixes that anyone can do.  In this post, I’ll concentrate on strategies that cost a bit more upfront, but will save you money in the long run. 

Not only does saving energy save you money, but it also benefits the environment by minimizing pollution caused by electricity generation.

• Install a programmable themostat and you won’t have to remember to adjust the temperature every time when you’re away from home or sleeping.
• Add a ceiling fan which uses only a small amount of energy, but can make a room feel 4-6 degrees cooler.  Be sure to set it to spin counterclockwise in summer.  You can even purchase a motion-detector switch so it turns on and off automatically.
• Insulated Attic Stair Covers can save a significant amount of energy during both the heating and cooling seasons by keeping temperature extremes in the attic and out of your living spaces.
• A whole-house attic fan does wonders to cool down the house.  Run it at night and open the windows to pull in the cooler night air.  You can save up to 50% on your cooling bills!
• Properly maintain your HVAC system to keep it operating efficiently.  Also seal leaky ducts because in a typical house, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts, resulting in higher utility bills.
• Opt for Energy Star-rated room air conditioners and HVAC systems if your old system is more than 10 years old and not operating efficiently.
• Plant deciduous shade trees on the sunny south- and west-facing sides of your home.  You’ll not only keep areas inside and outside of your house cooler, but you’ll increase your home’s curb appeal and value.
• Add weatherstripping and seal air leaks around windows and doors, and in your attic, basement and crawl space.  Use low-VOC products to not compromise good indoor air quality.
• Ventilate and insulate your attic since the hot temps up there contribute to higher cooling costs in your living spaces.  Click here to see how much insulation the Department of Energy recommends for homes in your zip code.

Your new energy-efficient improvements may even qualify for a federal tax credit up to $500.   Additional incentives, including rebates, grants and loans may also be available by your State and local utility companies.

Tree-lined streets are not only appealing, but they add value to adjacent homes and businesses.  And, the benefits don’t stop there.  Trees provide much needed shade during the hot summer months and reduce the heat-island effect in cities.  They provide homes and food for songbirds.  Trees even clean pollutants from the air and help to manage stormwater.

Here are some interesting tidbits:

• Trees provide four seasons of interest:  in spring, they provide lovely flowers; in summer, they provide greenery; in autumn, they provide brilliant colors; and in winter, they provide interesting structure and bark.
• “In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a ‘strong or moderate impact’ on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%.” —Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests
• “There are about 60– to 200-million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO² every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs.” —National Wildlife Federation
• “Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent.” —The Arbor Day Foundation
• “The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.” —USDA Forest Service
• “In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.” —Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University

The presence of trees contributes to a more liveable and cheerful place. I came across an interesting study conducted by the University of Rochester which revealed that “when people come into contact with nature, even in the simple form of a tree or potted plant, they become kinder, more generous, and more community-minded than when they focus on artificial, human-made surroundings.”  Other studies have found links between green infrastructure and lower crime rates, less violence, faster recovery from illness, and better grades for students.

Ready to plant some trees? A great resource for finding trees at a discount is the non-profit organization The Arbor Day Foundation.  Not only do you get 10 free trees when you join (for $10), but you get great discounts when purchasing trees through the organization.  Their extensive website will also teach you everything you need to know about trees.

View my earlier post here about how to lower your cooling bills with the use of trees.

Sources:  National Clean Water Network and Arbor Day Foundation

photo courtesy of GlenwoodPark.org

Natural stone countertops certainly add a luxurious feel to any kitchen or bathroom.  In addition to their beauty, they are also very durable and long-lasting.  Natural stone, when sealed with low VOC finishes, add to good indoor air quality and low maintenance needs.

Most stone is imported, adding to the environmental impact, but I’ve found a few good resources here in the U.S. for locally quarried slate, soapstone and marble countertops. 

SLATE is a beautiful, dense, heat & stain-resistant stone and is recognized as the leading chemistry lab countertop material (along with soapstone).  It is typically found in blue-black colors, but other colors are available.  Honed, sand-rubbed, machine-gauged or natural cleft finishes are available, as well as a variety of edge profiles.

• Penn Big Bed Slate Company, PA.  The slate from this company comes in slabs or tiles in two forms:  clear grade and ribbon grade.  Clear slate is blue-gray to blue-black in color, but when sealed or oiled, it is jet black in appearance.  Ribbon slate has bands of varying widths of darker shades streaming through it.
• Sheldon Slate Products, NY & ME.  This company quarries green, purple and red slate.
• Vermont Structural Slate Company, VT.  Countertop colors are available in green, mottled green & purple, red, purple, gray and black.

SOAPSTONE makes stunning countertops and sinks in dark greens and blues, which are denser than the lighter colors typically used for sculptures.  Soapstone slabs may contain stunning variations of colors with mottling or veining.  It is heat-resistant and doesn’t even need sealing, yet it’s natural state is impervious to liquids/stains.

• Sierra Hills Stone, CA
• Alberene Soapstone Company, VA
• VA Soapstone, VA
• Woodstock Soapstone Company, NH (soapstone quarried in Quebec, Canada)

MARBLE is gaining in popularity in the U.S. for the timeless elegance it offers.  It comes in polished or honed finishes which offer easy cleaning with a mild soap.

• Tennessee Marble Company, TN.  Earth tones of pink, brown, gray and beige marble countertops are offered by this company.
• Vermont Quarries Corp, VT.  This company quarries Vermont Danby Marble®, a white marble with gray, green and gold veining, which has a low absorption rate of .07% (lower than many granites).
• Vermont Verde Antique LLC, VT (pictured above).  The marble by the same name Vermont Verde Antique® is a rich, dark green marble that is harder and less porous than many types of granite.  It is available in both slab and tiles.
• Other options include Vermont Champlain Black Marble, which is actually a limestone, and a variety of Vermont red marbles.