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VOC's: What You Need to Know

3/4/2019

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VOC Free Flooring Auckland
Many products are claiming low or 0% VOC’s but what does all this mean? Should you be concerned about 'VOC exposure'?

​What are VOC’s? 
VOC’s (Volatile organic compounds) are the chemical substances (including both man made and naturally occurring chemical compounds) that evaporate into the air from certain solids or liquids as they dry at room temperatures.

​‘Organic’ refers to the chemical make up of the ingredients/ components and ‘Volatile’ refers to its evaporation into the air, making them easy to inhale.

Where are these VOC’s?
These organic chemicals are used in many household products. This includes products such as paints, varnishes, cleaning products and many other household consumables.
All of these products can release VOC’s while you are using them, and, to some degree, even when they are stored. Exposure to many VOC’s are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.

How are we exposed to these VOC’s? 
Chemicals can enter our bodies through either breathing, touching or swallowing. This is known as exposure. Differences in age, health conditions, gender and level of exposure to other chemicals all affect potential effects of exposure to VOC’s. When it comes to VOC’s, effects to one’s health depends on the level of chemical toxicity, the amount of chemicals present in the air and how long the air is inhaled.

Why are they hazardous? Products that contain VOC’s, release hazardous vapours that not only affect humans and animals but also the environment. These VOC’s have varying health effects, some being short term and long term. Excessive exposure can cause allergic reactions, breathing and eye issues. Harmful VOC’s typically may not be acutely toxic for humans but have compounding long-term health effects.

Additionally, the gasses emitted affect the atmosphere, contributing to our current greenhouse gases issues.
What Flooring is Safe and Healthy for My Home?
​So then, What is safe? Are There Any Alternatives? 
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Thankfully, there are many legislative bodies that are intervening to reduce the dangers of VOC’s. The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has issued a maximum criteria of 140g/L for coatings, and 100g/L for adhesives which has been in place since 2010, with this maximum criteria tightening more so since then.

Timber flooring is a stunning way of beautifying your home, and now there are a range of products that are either low in VOC's or completely VOC free and safe to use in your home. Choosing to opt for VOC free products, is one way you can contribute making a difference to the environment and to your long term health.

Talk your flooring experts to discuss what VOC free options you can use for your dream flooring!
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Can Timber Floors Reduce Our Carbon Footprint?

4/20/2018

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​Did you know that up to half of the dry weight of wood is carbon that’s been absorbed from the atmosphere by trees as they were growing!? Since the start of the Industrial Revolution there has been a sharp increase in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere- mainly from carbon dioxide, burning fossil fuels and changes to land use.
Greenhouse gases work in much the same way as the glass in a greenhouse. It lets light in and keeps the heat from escaping, providing warmth for the plants inside. In a similar way, when the Sun's energy reaches the Earth’s surface, some radiates back into space, and some is trapped in the atmosphere, keeping our planet warm enough for life to flourish.”
Reducing our carbon footprint and greenhouse gases with timber flooring! How?
Forests clean the air by removing pollutants, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.
Can timber flooring help global warming and climate change?
Trees filter our air and store our carbon dioxide as it grows, locking it in for life.
“Greenhouse gases work in much the same way as the glass in a greenhouse. It lets light in and keeps the heat from escaping, providing warmth for the plants inside. In a similar way, when the suns energy reaches the Earth’s surface, some radiates back into space, and some is trapped in the atmosphere, keeping our planet warm enough for life to flourish.”

​While natural levels of greenhouse gases maintain temperatures within the ecosystem that is suitable for existing life to flourish, increasing levels will have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem.
Most people know that forests help clean the air by removing pollutants, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Lesser known is the fact that trees incorporate the absorbed carbon into their wood, and the products made from that wood, continue to store the carbon indefinitely.”
​- From the book, 'Tackle Climate Change- Use Wood'

A Sustainable Solution to Greenhouse Gases
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The good news is there is something we can do! Lowering the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one of the most important things we can do to reduce the damage associated with climate change. “Most people know that forests help clean the air by removing pollutants, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Lesser known is the fact that trees incorporate the absorbed carbon into their wood, and the products made from that wood, continue to store the carbon indefinitely.”- From the book, “Tackle Climate Change- Use Wood”
 
So, that means trees filter the air and store our carbon dioxide efficiently, locking this into the wood for life! Using this timber, helps to reverse the impacts of climate change. By using and replacing carbon filled trees with new saplings, means that more pollutants and carbon dioxide can be absorbed and removed from the atmosphere and more oxygen can be produced into our atmosphere! In fact, in just one year, a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen as 10 people inhale!

When you choose timber flooring, you are not only selecting a unique and natural floor finish from a renewable resource, you’re also making a positive impact on climate change. With the earth in mind, choose sustainable flooring for your next project, with Proparq Engineered Flooring, which meets high environmental standards. There are endless colour choices and finishes. Ask us for a sample for your project.

​Speak to us to see how you can incorporate some positive climate change into your next project!
​
​References:
http://www.softwoodlumber.org/pdfs/Book_Tackle_Climate_Change_Use_Wood_eVersion.pdf
https://www.earthday.org/campaigns/reforestation/​
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Why Choose Engineered Flooring over Solid Oak Flooring?

11/27/2017

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Engineered French Oak Flooring Proparq Prefinished Dark Brown Oak
Prefinished Engineered Oak Flooring in 'Tea'
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How is Engineered Flooring Different From Solid Timber Flooring?

Solid timber flooring is exactly that; 100% hardwood from the top to the bottom of the plank. Engineered Flooring is made from layers of ply or birch-wood that are bonded together in a cross-grained arrangement. These boards then have a top layer of solid hardwood (around 3-6mm). The mm's used for the top layer is dependent on the board's width and can vary between brands.

Engineered flooring is becoming increasingly popular as it looks just as good as solid wood flooring but holds more benefits than solid timber flooring ever has. 
Proparq Engineered Wood Flooring New Zealand Suppliers
Prefinished Engineered Oak Flooring in 'Gesso'

What are the Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring? 

Product Warranty
Solid Flooring is a natural product, therefore no product warranty's are given. However, most engineered flooring comes with a product warranty giving you more confidence in the flooring choice you have made. Di Legno's Proparq Engineered Flooring comes with a 10 year product warranty for your peace of mind.
Same Aesthetics
Due to greater stability and resistance to humidity and temperature fluctuations, you can generally get a wider cover with each engineered board, which is increasing in popularity. If you prefer the look of narrower boards however, these are still available to meet your preferences. Engineered flooring looks just as great at solid timber floors, are more uniform in colour and have a similar sanding life as solid oak flooring.
More Stability
Engineered flooring is more durable and stable, meaning that there is less movement over time and there is far less chance that your floor will twist, crush, warp, shrink or swell. Due to the layered construction of the engineered core, it has a higher resistance to moisture levels and environmental changes. 
Less Installation Time
Because the flooring boards are engineered and machined, the flooring is well prepared for installation and means installation and finishing can often be completed faster than solid flooring.
​
Compatible with Underfloor Heating 
Thanks to the greater stability and resistance to temperature fluctuations in engineered flooring, it is suitable to be laid with underfloor heating or cooling systems safely.
Environmentally Conscious 
Engineered flooring ensures rational use of the best material - the solid hardwood layer. The reduced amount of solid hardwood that is used per board, allows for a wider board cover without compromising on an earth conscious approach in using our Earth's precious resources.
Wall Panelling Commercial Build Proparq Flooring Wyndham St Office
Italian Made French Oak Proparq Engineered Flooring Prefinished in Hard Wax Oil in 'Isanti'
Can I Get More Sands From Solid or Engineered Flooring? 
​
The tongue and groove joint connects together when the flooring is laid. The re-sandable part of solid flooring is measured from the top surface of the flooring to the top of the tongue and groove. This is the same with engineered flooring.

Whether you are sanding solid or engineered flooring, you can only sand down to the tongue and groove joint. The thicker the hardwood layer on your engineered board, the more re-sands you will get. However, bear in mind that the thicker your top layer, the higher the cost.



Can Anyone Install My Engineered Flooring? 
​
​We recommend that a qualified flooring installer lay your flooring for you.
Engineered Italian French Oak Flooring Proparq Luxury Beach house
Italian Made French Oak Proparq Engineered Flooring Site Finished in Ciranova Oil in 'Natural White'
European and French Oak Flooring. What's the Difference?
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This refers to the source of the timber as well as where the engineered flooring has been produced.

Proparq's French Oak flooring is 100% Made in Italy. The engineered core is made from Marine Grade Russian Birch and the hardwood top layer is made of French Oak, both of which are sourced from sustainable forests. Proparq products are proudly formaldehyde and solvent free, and have been cultivated from radiation free zones, which basically means that there won't be unseen chemical leaching into your home when laid. This makes it a very healthy choice for flooring in your home.

​Speak to us about the healthier floor colours and finishes, if this is something you would like to achieve in your project.

Are you considering the possibility of timber flooring for your new or renovated home? We would be happy to talk and provide you with some expert advice.
Contact your Exclusive Auckland suppliers of Italian Made Proparq Engineered Oak Flooring today on 094145467 or email sales at dilegno.co.nz.

Have more questions about the best timber flooring for you? Visit our showroom in Rosedale, Auckland or send us an email!
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ABOUT DI LEGNO FLOORING

Exclusive suppliers of Italian Made Proparq Engineered Flooring to bring luxury and style to your residential or commercial project.​ Carefully selected and crafted timbers, bring precision and quality that you can trust. 
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