Being house proud no matter what your budget or lifestyle is what we celebrate every day at Salvage Europe. But we also believe that taking real pride in your home means more than just having on-trend furnishings and chic wall-hangings:
Sustainability, environmental impact, and healthy living are increasingly important to those of us passionate about our spaces. When thinking about greening your home, there's no better place to start than with your floors--and French Oak Flooring is a great option.
Timber floors are truly the most environmentally friendly flooring option available." In part, that's because timber, produced responsibly, is an ever-renewable natural resource with real strength, durability, beauty and value.
Not all French Oak timber flooring is created equal, however. You just need to know what to look for and which questions to ask.
Look for the label. A certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), founded 25 years ago by environmental groups, is regarded as the gold standard for sustainable hardwood flooring.
This isn't just about preventing deforestation, though that is key. There are principles and criteria behind each certification, from respecting indigenous cultures to limiting illegal logging and the use of pesticides.
Reuse, recycle, reclaim. Our Reclaimed French Oak comes from large public buildings constructed from the 1820’s onward. This was when well-grown, slow-grown timber was readily available.
The quality and character of the timber therefore is exceptionally good. Re using the timber not only keeps it out of the landfill, but gives a rich second life to timber that has already served one valuable purpose.
For those who are both eco- and design-minded, reclaimed and salvaged timber offers not just peace of mind but a one-of-a-kind look and feel some with rustic nail marks or branded imprints that hint at the timber's former life. And then there's the origin story oak floors that were once French wine barrels from such-and-such winery, or re milled old-growth French oak from a now-defunct grain shed--that money can't buy. It's timber with a real history.
Make it last. One of the most environmental things we can do is to make our goods last as long as possible--whether it's your car or your French Oak floor. True sustainability is about investing in something that will stand the test of time, as opposed to falling prey to the cheap, easily available disposable goods, which all too often end up in the landfill after just a few years. A solid French Oak floor can last 100 years--and even longer.
Ask all the questions. Sustainability is a mindset. And often the questions you ask are more important than a simple label that reads "green" or "eco-friendly."
Think outside the box it's about thinking of the entire lifecycle of the timber floors, from the first sapling to emerge in a forest to the moment the floor board goes back into the landfill.
The more you know about the life-cycle of your French Oak timber, the better and greener
choice you can make.
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