To hide small nics or chips in flooring, try melting a crayon that is the best match to the color of the floor, drip the wax into the nic or chip until the wax fills the hole completely. Use a plastic scraper or ruler to ‘level off’ the top so the wax is even with the floor. This isn’t a permanent fix and is going to need to be done again because the wax wears away, but it can hide the spots nicely until its time to refresh your quick fix.
If you have the time and want a perfect match you can experiment with mixing different crayons to get a better match. Try writing down the names and amounts of each color crayon you used to get the best match, this will save time when your ready for a refresher.

Just installed new wood floors and worried about scratching it with your furniture?
Try taking some of that old carpet, cut it into pieces to fit the bottom of your chair legs table legs etc. and glue it to the bottom of your furniture legs! Make sure it's Fuzzy side down. This will make it so you can pull your chairs in and out without fear of scratching your shiny new floor. For the bigger pieces not only will it protect your floor from being scratched while moving your furniture it helps the furniture glide across your smooth new floors with ease!

Going green is all the rage these days, and green products and promotions are everywhere you look, and for good reason. Evolving beyond the hype to turn your wood flooring business into an ecofriendly one can be more than just a way to take advantage of the hottest marketing trend— it can be a means to expand your business and become more profitable. Greening your business can attract new clientele and differentiate your company from the rest. Furthermore, in the process of saving the planet, you can also save money by cutting out waste and operating more efficiently. Here are a few ways you can "green" your contracting business.


1) Choose Quality

Choose High-Quality, "Green" Wood By selecting high-quality wood flooring from a reputable manufacturer, you help ensure that the floor is going to last a long time. For prefinished floors, a high-quality finish will last longer, reducing the amount of resources put into the floor over time. Also, a thicker wear layer will endure multiple sandings, increasing the floor's lifespan and lessening the chances of the floor becoming scrap in a landfill.

Sustainability is another key consideration, and there is increasing demand for products that can help clients earn points for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a third-party green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that is the most widely accepted building certification. It is most prevalent for commercial projects but also has programs for residential buildings, renovations, and other types of projects as well. (For more on LEED, visit www.usgbc.org.) Below are some flooring options that can earn the favor of customers looking for sustainable materials; some also qualify for LEED points (for specific details on qualifying for LEED points, see "Taking the LEED" on page 36):

• Sustainable flooring: Despite last year's amendments to the Lacey Act, there are still products on the market that are illegally logged.

The safest option is to purchase certified flooring. Currently, the only certification that qualifies for LEED points is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). The NWFA also offers its Responsible Procurement Program (RPP) to recognize companies that practice responsible forest management and are working toward offering FSC-certified products. Other flooring certifications include SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative), CSA (Canadian Standards Association) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). If certified flooring isn't an option, the next safest bet is to buy domestic products, the vast majority of which come from sustainably managed forests.

• Reclaimed flooring: Reusing wood materials from old buildings and sunken logs is one of the most sustainable practices. Reclaimed flooring also qualifies for LEED points.

• Locally-sourced flooring: Local products minimize transportation costs and resources and, depending on the distance, may qualify for LEED points.

• Dead or dying trees: Trees that are diseased or dying, or those that are low-diameter from overcrowded, unhealthy forests, can be turned into flooring while helping to improve the ecosystem. (A great example of this can be seen in this month's Design Options article on page 44.)

• Bamboo flooring: Bamboo is considered green because it is highly renewable; it can be harvested every five to six years. However, there is controversy about the green aspect of bamboo because of the use of formaldehyde in some bamboo products and the carbon footprint of transporting the flooring from Asia. When selecting bamboo for clients who want a green floor, make sure that it is a high-quality product from a reputable manufacturer and that it is free of any added formaldehyde. Depending on your location, it may require less energy to import bamboo rather than wood from a domestic manufacturer. Bamboo flooring qualifies for LEED points because it fits the LEED definition of "rapidly renewable."

• Cork flooring: Because cork is harvested from the bark of the cork tree without killing the tree—the bark regenerates and can be harvested repeatedly—cork flooring has an impeccable sustainability story.


2) Reduce Emissions

Reducing or eliminating VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in wood flooring adhesives and finishes is key in turning your contracting business green. Additionally, in many areas, there are increasingly tougher laws mandating lower VOC emissions. Many products claim to be "VOC-free," but they may contain other toxic chemicals like cyanide. Carefully read the MSDS to see what is in the product you're buying. And be sure to properly dispose of finishes and other chemicals you use; most landfills have special days for chemical disposal. Here are points to keep in mind for finishes and adhesives:

• Low- or no-VOC adhesives: Choose adhesives that are low- or no-VOC and those that are formaldehyde free. Also, selecting an adhesive with a high spread rate saves resources, and using the recommended trowel ensures the product is applied as efficiently as possible.

• Low-VOC finishes: There are increasing numbers of green finish options on the market. Water-based finishes are the most prominent green option because of their low VOC levels. If you have clients who prefer the look of polyurethane, some manufacturers now offer water-based products that mimic the look of polyurethane finishes and are just as durable. Some other types of finishes, such as some natural oils, are also considered green.

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