I find myself opening the windows more and more every day as the seasons begin to change .There is nothing like cool fresh morning air…….deep breath in…. aaahhhhh…. a great refreshing way to wake up. I always feel better mentally and physically when I spend time outdoors. I also love being in my favorite chair, reading a book or watching old movies when the weather gets nasty. As many people begin to come inside over the next few months due to winter’s arrival, my thoughts turn to indoor air quality. We often overlook this but it deserves our attention. There has been some buzz in the news lately regarding granite countertops emitting radon and radioactivity into our homes. Overall, according to the EPA, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, smoking being number one and second hand smoke number three. While it may be possible for some stone to contribute to indoor radon levels, the EPA does not believe the data exists to conclude that granite tops can significantly increase them. So, we must due our homework, know the facts, and share the information with clients who are concerned. I see no reason to panic and start tearing out granite tops everywhere, but stay informed and stay in touch with creating living spaces that support healthy living! Who knows, maybe there is a business opportunity for someone out there to create a sustainable product made from recycled granite in our future!

Hello fellow bloggers and green enthusiasts!  I have a few things to share with you…

I am currently working on a remodel project located in Boulder and currently have been gathering estimates for wood flooring.  We had our local hardwood floor dealer price three different wood species for a total of 3000 square foot.  For comparison, we chose 4″ wide FSC Brazilian cherry, FSC Quarter Sawn Red Oak and Strand Woven Bamboo.  We also had him provide pricing for conventional wood as well so the client could compare the difference – FSC vs. Conventional.  Here are the quotes we received:

Brazilian Cherry

• $15,700 plus installation – FSC
• $10,525 plus installation – Conventional

Quarter Sawn Red Oak

• $14,950 plus installation – FSC
• $13,290 plus installation – Conventional

Standwoven Bamboo

• $11,100 plus installation

Very Interesting!  The clients have decided to proceed with the FSC Quarter Sawn Red Oak for it’s grain and color. 

One more thing… Check out the new carbon footprint calculator from Earth Day Network.  It is interactive and fun!  I have a few things to work on… http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.html