When buying a new surfaces for your home, including countertop and flooring, there are many things to consider. The cost, surely. But also durability, method of cleaning, heat resistance and how it LOOKS to you. Increasingly, though, consumers are adding another question to tick off their list, and that’s how earth friendly the material is.

Manufacturers are taking note too, churning out more and more green products, and retailers aren’t hesitating to stuff their shelves with them. Being earth-conscious isn’t only the right thing to do, but it also just so happens to be the “in” thing as well. Today there are more options than ever for the environmental loveys, and the selection is only bound to increase.

Teragren is a bamboo flooring manufacturer that has championed strict environmental standards. From their inception they have been committed to developing and manufacturing beautiful bamboo products that Reduce dependence on dwindling timber resources, rely on renewable-resource materials, adhering to stringent, environmentally sensitive specifications. Teragren’s formaldehyde-free, food-safe bamboo parquet butcher block, available in natural or caramelized colors, is perfect for kitchen counters and tabletops. They make beautiful AND eco-conscious materials for the home.

The EQcountertop from VT Industries uses a low-emitting particleboard core, water-based adhesives, and Greenguard indoor air quality-certified laminates. They make gorgeous, versatile AND durable countertops for your kitchen and bath. They’re 100% pre-consumer recycled material, low-emitting GREENGUARD certified laminates, VOC-eliminating, water-based and made with biodegradable adhesive.

Recycled ceramic tile, low VOC butcher block, recycled glass and composite materials are among the most environmentally friendly materials to use, though recycled concrete and stainless steel are good options as well. So when you’re thinking of replacing that old carpet flooring, or upgrading your kitchen from those 50′s tiles with those hard to clean grout lines, take a look at the green products. You may be surprised with what you find, and for what price you find it. The quality of these products are sure to shine bright in your home, and maybe even help out this earth of ours a bit in the process.

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