[Greenbuilding] Friendly Carpet
Stephen Collette
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
Thu Nov 30 19:44:26 CST 2006
Hi there, in regards to the air quality and carpet the one option
would be a natural carpet like a wool carpet.
The natural fibre content takes care of the larger issues with air
quality and carpets in regards to chemical off gassing. Especially
around the heat vents where the air dries out the exposed underlay
and blows formaldehyde dust crap into the air.
Wool carpets or any natural carpets like jute, hemp, etc. will hold
dust like a regular carpet. No doubt. Buy a HEPA vacuum with the
carpet, or better yet a central vac that exhausts outside, not into
the basement or attached garage.
Wool carpets perform very well on all fronts. I had a client who had
a 30 year old wool carpet that a family grew up with. (white even!!)
and it was in amazing shape. Just google wool carpets to come up with
a list.
If then need carpet, then that is the way.
If you can get by with a nice area rug like someone else suggested,
even better, because with that you can occasionally take it outside
and beat it with the tennis racket. It's a far healthier option to
wall to wall. It also becomes a beautiful feature in a properly done
room. You can lay down solid surface (no off gassing vinyl please)
below, and that would be great.
I hope that helps a little.
Stephen
Stephen Collette B.B.E.C
Principal
Your Healthy House
Indoor Environmental Inspections & Building Consulting
www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
705.652.5159
On 30-Nov-06, at 1:00 PM, greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org wrote:
> Send Greenbuilding mailing list submissions to
> greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/
> greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> greenbuilding-owner at listserv.repp.org
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Greenbuilding digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: underfloor insulation R-values & materials (Keith Winston)
> 2. Re: HELP: need opinions on Rumford fireplaces (Keith Winston)
> 3. Friendly Carpet (James Phelps)
> 4. Re: Friendly Carpet (Chris Green)
> 5. Re: HELP: need opinions on Rumford fireplaces (Norbert Senf)
> 6. Re: HELP: need opinions on Rumford fireplaces (Rushd45)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:03:10 -0500
> From: Keith Winston <keith at earthsunenergy.com>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] underfloor insulation R-values &
> materials
> To: Don Jennings <djennings3 at earthlink.net>
> Cc: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org, LLile at projsolco.com
> Message-ID: <456E822E.6090208 at earthsunenergy.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Oops, I was talking only of bio-content sprayed foam insulation in
> that
> last email, if it wasn't obvious!
>
> Keith
>
>
> Don Jennings wrote:
>> Talking with a local installer for biobased foam recently, I found
>> out
>> that the product is still predominantly made from petroleum.
>> Apparently, they replace about 20% of the product with soy polyoils
>> (?).
>> Unfortunately, if the installer is correct, the web site is very
>> misleading in this regard. (Good luck finding an MSDS there.)
>>
>> Take care,
>> Don
>>
>>
>> On Nov 29, 2006, at 7:53 AM, greenbuilding-request at listserv.repp.org
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Message: 2
>>> Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:24:19 -0600
>>> From: "Lawrence Lile" <LLile at projsolco.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] [BULK] underfloor insulation R-values &
>>> materials
>>> To: "Reuben Deumling" <9watts at gmail.com>, "Greenbuilder list"
>>> <GREENBUILDING at listserv.repp.org>
>>> Message-ID:
>>> <C3BDACA3AD63A44F8D2BF6788D766B900AE557 at psc-s1.ProjSolCo.local>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>> Wet Spray cellulose is your friend. Cheap, 100% recycled, always
>>> fills
>>> up gaps and odd shapes unlike Batts, you can spray it upside down
>>> into
>>> an overhead space (usually through a screen that looks like mosquito
>>> net) It will fill up any shape space, and it is better R value than
>>> most of the alternatives. The only thing better is biobased
>>> (made from
>>> soybeans) foam, but the price is steep.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP
>>> Senior Electrical Engineer
>>> Project Solutions Engineering
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding email list
>> List info: http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/
>> greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>> List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
>> Managed by BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
>> publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r)
>> Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Keith Winston
> Earth Sun Energy Systems
> 3927 Madison St.
> Hyattsville, MD 20781
> 301-980-6325
> keith at earthsunenergy.com
> www.EarthSunEnergy.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 02:13:56 -0500
> From: Keith Winston <keith at earthsunenergy.com>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] HELP: need opinions on Rumford fireplaces
> To: Jefro <jefro at jefro.net>, Greenbuilder list
> <greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID: <456E84B4.2070800 at earthsunenergy.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> I know you said not to do this, but... My understanding is,
> Rumfords are
> only relatively efficient, that is, relative to some other firebox
> designs. They are still a very poor heating option. Why would you want
> to pour lots of money into something that ALMOST helps assure energy
> independence? There are some very beautiful fireplace inserts here:
>
> http://www.icc-rsf.com/en/fireplaces/foyer_onyx.asp
>
> And of course many choices of masonry units, though they might be more
> expensive and bigger than you want...
>
> But alas, if you can't be dissuaded, there's info here:
>
> http://www.rumford.com
>
> You too can have a state-of-the-art 1796 fireplace!
>
> Keith
>
>
> Jefro wrote:
>> Forgot to mention---each fireplace can be a maximum of 36 inches
>> wide,
>> which works great for Rumfords. We're mostly just concerned with the
>> backdraft issues.
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding email list
>> List info: http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/
>> greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
>> List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
>> Managed by BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
>> publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r)
>> Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Keith Winston
> Earth Sun Energy Systems
> 3927 Madison St.
> Hyattsville, MD 20781
> 301-980-6325
> keith at earthsunenergy.com
> www.EarthSunEnergy.com
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:52:52 +1000
> From: James Phelps <james at phabb.com.au>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Friendly Carpet
> To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <124fd4c8dbbbe2e721794aec530f1ed1 at phabb.com.au>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
>
> Hello All,
> We are looking for manufacturers of environmentally friendly
> carpet, is
> there such a thing?
>
> Cheers,
> James
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:45:10 -0800
> From: Chris Green <pojeros at telus.net>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Friendly Carpet
> To: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Message-ID: <456E9A16.6030606 at telus.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> James Phelps wrote:
>> Hello All,
>> We are looking for manufacturers of environmentally friendly
>> carpet, is
>> there such a thing?
>>
> Not quite carpets, but here are some hand-woven wool rugs from
> Afghanistan to look into.
>
> http://www.arzurugs.org/
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris Green.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 08:20:49 -0500
> From: Norbert Senf <mheat at mha-net.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] HELP: need opinions on Rumford fireplaces
> To: Greenbuilder list <greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20061130075311.03b2aa08 at heatkit.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
>
> At 06:03 PM 11/29/2006 -0800, Jefro wrote:
>> (snip)
>> We had originally intended to use zero-clearance inserts, but have
>> been
>> talked out of those by a local heating expert whom I trust. He
>> says the
>> gas ones are reliable, but the wood-burning ones are not. (snip)
>
> Quite simply, your local heating system expert is wrong. There are
> a number of
> high performance, EPA certified, fireplace inserts on the market
> today.
> BIS and Quadrafire are two names with good reputations, and there
> are others.
>
> It depends if your major concern is aesthetics, or heating. If it
> is serious
> heating, then there is no contest between an EPA stove and an
> open fireplace, any open fireplace.
>
> Unlike a gas fireplace, any type of woodburning system is dependent
> on operator
> knowledge, and requires some effort. Mainly, you need to know what
> dry firewood
> looks and feels like (many people don't).
> Usually, that requires having a woodshed so that
> you can season your firewood for 6 - 12 months,
> or until it is down to 20% moisture.
>
> An open fireplace will give you more instant feedback if you are
> doing anything
> wrong, and is much, much harder to plug up the chimney on.
>
> If you do build a masonry fireplace for aesthetic reasons (and
> those are
> hard to beat), a Rumford is a good way to go. It
> is simple for a mason to build,
> using Jim Buckley's firebox design and prefab
> throat components from Superior Clay.
> (www.rumford.com). Check out the "Washington
> state certified" option, which adds a large
> (removable) airtight ceramic glass door and a tested air supply
> design.
> For an interior fireplace, the closed combustion option will be a big
> improvement in efficiency and resistance to spillage.
>
> Keeping the opening 36" or below is also to be recommended.
>
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Norbert Senf---------- mheat(at)heatkit.com
> Masonry Stove Builders
> 25 Brouse Rd.
> RR 5, Shawville------- www.heatkit.com
> Qu?bec J0X 2Y0-------- fax:-----819.647.6082
> ---------------------- voice:---819.647.5092
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 09:23:17 -0700
> From: "Rushd45" <RushD45 at ironandwood.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] HELP: need opinions on Rumford fireplaces
> To: "Greenbuilder list" <greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Message-ID: <00d201c7149b$ded0c9e0$6401a8c0 at 5TH>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Interesting thread on building 'green' and how this NG is used. I
> don't mean to get personal here, this is just an observation on my
> part.
>
> The writer sounds 'green', but likes a 'real fire'. He writes that
> inserts (his local heating expert whom, he trusts, says the wood-
> burning ones are not reliable) 'are mostly decorative, though, and
> we really want fireplaces rather than woodstoves'. So he is
> thinking of building a Rumford, but their 'masonry contractor
> hasn't built one for several years and is having trouble locating
> local people to discuss them with'.
>
> Winston gives a link to some pretty good looking inserts and which,
> from the blurbs, seem to be efficient and 'green' -
> http://www.icc-rsf.com/en/fireplaces/foyer_onyx.asp
>
> Norbert responds by saying - "Quite simply, your local heating
> system expert is wrong. There are a number of high performance, EPA
> certified, fireplace inserts on the market today. BIS and
> Quadrafire are two names with good reputations, and there are others."
>
> And then Norbert, who builds fireplaces as a living, hits the nail
> on the head, or rather cements the firebrick in place by stating
> ''it depends if your major concern is aesthetics, or heating."
>
> My point here is that I see this forum as sometimes being used as a
> way of justifying an answer that has already been decided upon
> before the question is really asked. The writer 'wants' an open
> fireplace and finds ways of justifying it... 'green' or not.
>
> I don't mean to get personal here, this is just an observation on
> my part.
>
> By the way, there are pages and pages about Rumford Fireplaces that
> I got by googling
> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rumford+fireplace&btnG=Google
> +Search.
>
>
> Rush
> Tucson AZ
> www.ironandwood.org
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Greenbuilding email list
> List info: http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/
> greenbuilding_listserv.repp.org
> List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
> Managed by BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
> publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r)
> Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org
>
> End of Greenbuilding Digest, Vol 5, Issue 47
> ********************************************
More information about the Greenbuilding
mailing list