We are a proud member of FloorsFirst, Canada's largest association of floor covering stores. And we share the FloorsFirst "Environmentality" philosophy.

We have a passion for beautifying living spaces; and we care just as much about the beauty of the natural world around us. That's why under our "Environmentality" initiative, we seek to minimize the impact that our products and services have on the natural world around us. After all, that's the most precious living space of all. We welcome you to find out more by exploring the information and website links below.

Armstrong

A global leader in the building materials industry, Armstrong is committed to environmental sustainability. 

Armstrong has a history of environmental stewardship.  Armstrong began by using cork waste to manufacture linoleum flooring.  More recently they introduced the Armstrong Ceiling Recycling Program that has recycled over 45 million pounds of material that otherwise would have gone into landfills.  Now Armstrong is broadening its environmental stewardship efforts in four areas: energy, greenhouse gases, water and forest management.  These are the areas in which the company has a significant impact.   Armstrong is the largest wood flooring company in the world.  Ceiling operations are water-intensive and use a significant amount of energy.  They are measuring their impact on the environment in the four focus areas.  2009 will become our baseline year for measuring progress towards meeting our improvement goals.

Wicanders

Cork flooring is also a very green choice. Wicanders flooring is considered unique for its properties of thermal insulation, acoustic dampening, health benefits, and resiliency. Cork oak is free from allergens and hidden germs and is naturally anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and hypoallergenic. For these reasons, the cork oak forests of Portugal, called the Montados, are considered to be extremely valuable and are protected as a national resource. The harvesting of cork oak is unique in that the tree itself is never harmed in the process of stripping its bark, and biodiversity is aided by this necessary task. The Montados are home to wildlife such as nesting black storks, owls, Iberian lynxes, Imperial eagles, and wild boars. The forests are naturally hardy and survive without any use of synthetic or chemical herbicides, fertilizers or irrigation.

Environmentality is top of mind these days, and the cork tree is
In a context of increasing concern for the environment, cork remains the only tree whose bark can regenerate itself after each harvest - leaving the tree unharmed. It is truly a renewable, environment. 

Richmond Laminate

Since it is made from paper, the manufacturing of Richmond Laminate does not involve harvesting old-growth hardwoods, unlink wood flooring. Unlike some carpet, laminate does not contain significant quantities of some elements that affect indoor air quality. And when a laminate floor is easily replaced, it can be destroyed with no danger to the environment.

Our Richmond Laminate products are GREENGUARD certified. This program identifies specific products that have been tested and continue to be tested to ensure that their chemical and particle emissions meet acceptable indoor air quality pollutant guidelines and standards. The certification program is a valuable tool for architects, designers, product specifiers, and purchasing organizations that want to locate, specify, and purchase low-emitting products for indoor environments.

Products are tested for emissions of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, respirable particles, ozone, and other pollutants using stringent environmental chamber protocols. Testing takes place in dynamic environmental chambers designed to simulate product use in typical indoor environments. Environmental chamber operation and testing protocols follow scientific principles established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its Environmental Technology Verification Program, the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM), the State of Washington, Germany's Federal Environment Agency, and other applicable government or industry programs.

Additionally, once you decide to update your Richmond Laminate flooring, the circle of recycling continues. These products have a click-together locking joint in either angle/angle or droplock.  If you are remodeling a room and would like to change the floor you can unclick it, move it to another room or donate it to a charitable association such as Habitat for Humanity.

Richmond Healthy Home Carpet

We recognize that indoor air quality is an important environmental consideration, especially since we spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors. Richmond Healthy Home carpets set a higher standard for indoor air quality and ensure that customers are purchasing the very lowest emitting carpet.

Green Label PlusTM certification ensures Healthy Home carpet has exceeded the most stringent indoor air quality test. Healthy Home Carpet is crafted with 20% recycled content.

Several Richmond Healthy Home lines are made with ECOYarn. This revolutionary fiber is made of 30% recycled material and uses little to no water in production.  Additionally, ECOYarn Carpet Fiber can substantially aid in obtaining LEED certification in homes and buildings.