Products - June 2006

Salvaverde
Salvaverde, made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—the stuff plastic milk bottles are made of—is an interlocking modular system used for creating extra-strength lawns for car parking areas, alleys, and walkways. The grid, which can support loads of up to 35 tons per square foot while preventing soil compaction, allows rainwater to filter into the ground naturally without creating puddles or mud. The system, whose cells may be filled with planting media or aggregate, is intended to be installed over a drainage layer such as gravel or stone. When used with vegetation, this sort of porous paving system also minimizes contributions to the urban heat island effect. Geoproducts Corp.; Concord, Ontario, Canada. www.geoproducts.org; Phone: 877-436-8823

Certified Red Cedar
Mary’s River Lumber, the leading U.S. producer of western red cedar, has chain-of-custody certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Not stopping with that, their mill recovers its scraps and shavings for things like animal bedding, landscaping, and packaging. Their second-growth, tight-knotted products include boards, decking, fencing, paneling, and siding. The textured appearance, hardy durability, and easy workability of western red cedar make it a preferred choice by many people as a material for decks and outdoor furniture. It’s more stable than other softwoods, and naturally resists decay and insects. It can be finished with an oil stain, or allowed to weather to an attractive patina. Mary’s River Lumber Co.; Corvallis, OR. www.marysrvr.com; phone: 800-523-2052

Bamboo molding
JMX International offers precision-milled, prefinished bamboo architectural moldings as an attractive, more environmentally appealing option to solid wood moldings. Durable and scratch-resistant, these moldings carry factory-applied multicoat finishes with a ten-year warranty. Many profiles are available, including crown moldings, stair noses, thresholds, chair rails, quarter-rounds, and wall base. Bamboo, which is actually a grass, grows faster than any tree and is exceptionally strong. JMX produces its bamboo products in China, verifying the standards of the manufacturing processes involved in their entire line of bamboo floor panels, plank boards, and moldings. JMX Bamboo, Sarasota, Fla. www.jmxbamboo.com; phone 866-272-6773

Whisper Wool
Whisper Wool is made with sheep wool, rather than a petrochemical derivative pretending to be something it isn’t. It’s a high-density underlayment for permanent finish floorings, such as natural wood; laminate products like Pergo; or engineered products, like many bamboo floorings. It gives laminates a more wood-like sound, reduces noise transmission through floors and walls, and helps prevent squeaking. Sanitized antimicrobial treatment and an integrated polypropylene moisture barrier work together to prevent mold, fungus, and bacteria. Nature’s Acoustics; Chatsworth, GA. www.naturesacoustics.com; phone: 706-422-8660