When we talk of enhancing the appearance and feel of a house, the first thing that comes to mind is the replacement of old or battered floors with new ones. Although this might be the quickest way out, more often than not it will cost us both the environment and the wallet. Floor Sanding and restoration is a more sustainable solution as it restores new life to the old floor and consumes less energy.
Reducing Waste by Preserving Existing Floors
The whole process of removing a floor and putting a new one in place involves removal of the old boards or materials which are mostly found in landfills. Homeowners who prefer floor sanding leave the existing flooring in place and just strip it off the top (worn-out) layer. This can minimize the amount of waste produced and prevent unnecessary discarding of still-usable material. Original wood floors are not only environmentally friendly, but also help preserve the character of a property and its history.
Lowering Carbon Footprint Through Fewer Resources
New flooring materials are produced using a lot of energy. Logging, manufacturing, transportation, and every other step in the process are all sources of carbon emissions. Floor Sanding, on the other hand, is much less resource intensive. The process does not generate new wood, but uses existing wood. Homeowners can reduce the cost to the environment of production and transportation of a brand-new flooring product by increasing the life of the current flooring.
Supporting Sustainable Forestry Practices
The buying of new wood flooring creates pressure on the forest and ecosystems by increasing the demand of the timber. Even though sustainable forestry is promoted by many suppliers, the wood products in the world market can still result in deforestation. Floor Sanding allows a person to use less freshly harvested wood, which, in turn, indirectly helps to promote sustainable forestry practices. Each floor that is refurbished reduces the number of floors that are replaced, which ultimately reduces the environmental impact of forests around the world.
Minimising Use of Harsh Chemicals
Elderly finishing techniques tended to be based on the use of harsh solvents and toxic sealants. Nevertheless, new floor sanding and restoration methods embrace greener stains or water stains, water-borne paints, and sealants with Low-VOC (volatile organic compound). This decreases the amount of harmful emissions in the home and assists in protecting the quality of air in and outside of the house. It is a more environmentally friendly solution that not only benefits the planet but also the health of people living in the space.
Conserving Energy During the Process
Although heavy machinery is employed in floor sanding the total amount of energy used is far less than the total amount of energy used to manufacture and transport new flooring. The sanding machines are fast and efficient, and can sometimes re-sand an entire room within a few hours. This efficient use of energy further contributes to the eco-friendly nature of the process.
Enhancing Longevity and Sustainability
One of the greatest benefits of floor sanding is that it prolongs the life of a floor. Sanded and restored floors when carefully maintained and taken care of can last decades before they require replacement. This not only helps save money but also lowers the requirement of new resources. Homeowners can start a sustainability cycle of investment in a restoration that produces benefits to the property and the environment.
Increasing Property Value Without Replacements
Environmentally and financially, it is a winning strategy to restore floors instead of replacing them. Properly refurbished wooden floor enhances the price of the property, hits the buying mark and proves that the company is devoted to environmental concerns.
Conclusion
Nowadays, sustainability has become more popular than ever, and even simple decisions that we make to improve our homes can make a significant difference. Floor Sanding and restoration provides a viable environmental friendly alternative to floor replacement. This approach helps the planet and the home by decreasing waste, reducing natural resources, carbon emissions, and toxic chemicals. In addition to the environmental advantages, the restored floors are beautiful, durable and have a value that cannot be rivaled by that of new flooring. The decision to restore rather than to replace is not only a clever one, it is also a green one.
