Going Green: Alternatives to Wooden Floors

Hardwood flooring has its advantages.  It is great looking, reliable and most definitely long lasting.  However, with the global weather patterns in such upheaval it is to the world’s best interest to work with alternatives to solid wood flooring.  The idea is to keep the visual appeal of wood without actually cutting down trees.  It is also great to know that the alternatives are more pocket friendly as well. 

Here are some of these alternatives:

Laminate flooring – This is a great alternative and is almost indistinguishable from solid hardwood.  It is possible to float laminate flooring so that you do not need to use nails to fasten your floor. 

Engineered hardwood flooring – These floors have a base made from high density fiber board and only use real wood as a veneer layer.  This means that you use less of the hardwood allowing for tree conservation.

Bamboo Flooring – Bamboo is a great, eco-friendly solution when it comes to flooring.  Even though it is absolutely fantastic, there are those who do not like the knuckle-pattern that is so… well… bamboo!

Vinyl Planks or Tiles – These are available in a wood grain pattern and where need be even the texture can be incorporated so that they look and feel like real wood.  They can be laid over almost every surface which makes an added advantage.

Going Green: Tree Preservation

With the World’s population set to hit the 7 Billion mark on Monday, 31^st October 2011, it is no doubt that our cities and suburbs will continue to expand.  Wooded lands and forests are being continually turned into residential and commercial sites.  Many of these buildings are being constructed in the midst of trees in order to take advantage of the aesthetic value of nature. 

However, the various processes that are involved in construction can be quite deadly to trees within the vicinity.  When constructing your home or a commercial building in a wooded area it is beneficial to include an arborist in the planning stages who can tell you which trees can be saved in order to protect as many of them as possible.  Tree preservation orders may also be put in place which would state that no tree in the area can be lopped or topped, ring barked, removed, injured or cut down.

Trees have many benefits which include erosion control, absorption of air pollutants, reduction of global warming, preservation of wildlife habitats, aesthetic value, minimization of rainwater runoff and the conservation of energy around buildings.  It is therefore in the interest of each one of us to preserve trees.

Going Green: Rain Water Harvesting

Yesterday evening the heavens opened!  I have not seen that much rain in a long time. The Nairobi CBD was flooded!  It got so bad that I had to take off my shoes just to cross a flooded road and the water came up almost to my knees!  With all that water, I wondered how many of us were taking advantage of the rainy season to do some water harvesting.  Rainwater harvesting is basically just collecting, storing and then purifying the rain water that falls on your roof. 

Rainwater can be used for various needs around the house including:

• ·         Laundry
• ·         Irrigating your garden
• ·         Watering your livestock
• ·         Flushing the toilet as well as showering
• ·         For those with swimming pools you can use that water to replenish your pool
• ·         Cooking and drinking

Rainwater harvesting is a great way to ensure an independent water supply for your home especially when the water company enforces water rationing in the dry season.  One great thing to note is that rainwater systems are pretty simple to install as well as to operate.  Rainwater harvesting is a great solution for the flooding and water runoff problem.  It is also a great way to ensure that you have water all year round regardless of any rationing that may be effected.

Going Green: Natural Light

I have walked into houses many times before during the day, just to be meet with a sense of darkness because of lack of natural lighting. Unfortunately, this has become the case increasingly where I have noticed houses are being built without adequate light consideration, even to the point of totally eliminating windows in some areas. Some cast a shadow of darkness into their home by putting large parking canopies that totally block off natural lighting from entering the house.

Lighting is one of the major elements of design, and as such, it’s important to make the most of natural lighting even before buying a single bulb. This can be done by

•  Designing big windows, and ensuring curtains are pulled back during the day
• Avoid very heavy curtains
• Avoid color tinted windows

Use of natural lighting has great benefits which include:

•  Health – Use of natural lighting has been studied to reduce eye strain, reduce stress, help body metabolism and enhance growth especially of children, assists in natural hormonal development among many other wellness benefits. Studies have also shown that people who work in well lit environments are happier, healthier and more productive.
• Cost benefit – Natural light cuts down electricity bills due to minimized use of artificial lighting.
•  Ambiance – It makes a space look bigger and increases appreciation of the interior look of a place, by bringing out the natural colours, textures and patterns.

Let’s all have a natural light filled day!

Going Green: Balcony Gardens

In honor of the late Professor Wangari Maathai, Pamba Boma has focused on green living in the month of October.  Here is a pictorial blog on balcony gardening.  You don't need a large space to enjoy plants!!