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Style Meets Sustainability in New York City’s Herald Square

NEW YORK – New York, a city already famous for high style and a cosmopolitan culture, got a little more chic with the launch of the North American Décor(k) Tour in Herald Square today, courtesy of the Portuguese Cork Association (APCOR).

Candice Olson speaks to media at Decork luncheon

 

The goal of the Décor(k) Tour – which will visit 16 cities across the United States and Canada – is to educate consumers about the different styles and varieties of Portuguese cork flooring, and will feature a 53 foot-long mobile showroom designed by “Divine Design” host Candice Olson.  Inside the showroom, visitors will enjoy a “feet on” experience of cork flooring’s unique comfort and resiliency while viewing different room layouts and flooring applications designed by Olson.  Additional displays will allow visitors to see how cork stands up to moisture, heavy foot traffic and allergens, providing users with durable, comfortable flooring that can last years.  

With more families spending time “living” on the floor, the floor has taken on a larger role as a functional living space.  Therefore, it has become more important for flooring to be comfortable, durable, stylish and highly functional.  Cork flooring fulfills all of these requirements.  Another important benefit is that cork is the most environmentally friendly flooring choice because it is completely renewable, 100 percent natural and recyclable — three essential qualities for a modern and environmentally friendly society.  Incredible inherent properties, including sound and temperature insulation, cushioning and water resistance provide homeowners even more reasons to choose cork as a flooring option.

“The choice of flooring is always an integral element in my designs,” said Olson. “When homeowners are building their nests, they must think about how much time will be spent on their floors.  Cork flooring is a perfect choice for the home because it can provide a desired, stylish look while remaining functional and environmentally friendly.”

Through Olson’s beautifully designed settings for the Décor(k) Tour, it is easy to see that cork flooring is the ultimate in eco-chic. With inspirational designs ranging from traditional and vintage to artistic and modern, luxurious textures and shades, classic patterns and elegant finishes, the options available for cork flooring in North American homes are truly limitless.  It has become a viable contender as the centerpiece of any home.

Cork is more than 50 percent air, which makes it lightweight and highly resilient.  Consequently, cork often does not show dents or grooves the same way wood flooring can. It has excellent insulating properties and is warmer under foot than a cold tile. It is also allergy free and easy to maintain – great for a healthy, safe home.

“Cork has been used as flooring for a very long time because of its natural beauty, durability and renewability,” said Piet Dossche, chairman of APCOR North America Flooring Group and president & CEO of USFloors, Inc.  “New finishing techniques and improved technologies have revived an interest in cork flooring. No other floor covering can match the combined benefits of cork.”

Cork’s journey begins in the montado (the Portuguese cork oak forest) where the time-honored tradition of the cork harvest takes place.  Only after a maturation period of 25 years have these majestic giant cork oak trees carefully transformed their outer shell into a thing of beauty. This natural process gives way to cork flooring. During the harvesting of the bark, which can only take place every nine years, the tree is never cut down or harmed. The quality of cork actually improves with every harvest.

The cork oak forest has been developed and maintained to sustain a triple bottom line industry – one that is good for the people, for the planet and for the economy. Portuguese cork makes for authentic, high quality and eco-efficient cork flooring that is created with true craftsmanship and care.

Following the New York City launch on September 1, the Décor(k) mobile cork flooring showroom will visit these U.S. and Canadian cities on the following dates:

The Decork mobile showroom in shadow of Empire State Building

 

For more information about the Décor(k) Tour and the unique style and esthetic aspects of cork flooring, visit www.realcorkfloors.com.

About APCOR

APCOR’s mission is to represent and promote the Portuguese Cork Industry, with more than 250 members, representing around 80 percent of the total national cork production and 85 percent of all cork exports. APCOR is also responsible for promotional activities, with added value to cork, on both a national and international scale, providing, in addition, an extensive Information Resource Centre on cork.

About Décor(k)

The Décor(k) mobile showroom has been created by APCOR to tell the story of cork flooring, beginning with the cork oak and the harvest of the cork bark through to the versatility and beauty of the finished product from an interior designer’s perspective. Visitors to the Décor(k) showroom will learn how the cork oak bark is fashioned into beautiful cork flooring and will be invited to experience six different room concepts created by Divine Design’s Candice Olson and featuring the very best of Portuguese cork flooring. The Décor(k) Tour will be visiting 16 cities in the United States and Canada over the next ten months.

To view more photos from the New York City Decor[k] launch and see photos inside the Decor[k] mobile showroom, visit USFloors on flikr.com by clicking here.

Floor Covering Weekly Honors Company for Contribution to Renewable Energy

Dalton, GA – USFloors has been awarded the GreenStep Award in the Process category as presented by Floor Covering Weekly for its 144 kw photovoltaic solar array and their newest warehouse in Dalton, GA. The Process Category refers to companies that implement a practice or process improvement that reduces negative environmental impact or promotes sustainability. The awards are selected by an independent panel that includes industry professionals from trade associations, retailers, and environmental experts.

The 144 kw array is currently the largest commercial solar installation in the state of Georgia. The system generates 100% of the power required for the buildings energy needs. This is not the first array for USFloors, a sustainable flooring manufacturer, but for now its largest.

Other manufacturers receiving awards included Mohawk, Interface, Anderson Hardwoods, Crossville, Mannington Commercial, and Mullican. USFloors’ President and CEO Piet Dossche commented, “We are honored to be among the leaders in the flooring industry who are working diligently to accelerate our contributions to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices. We will continue to expand our efforts in promoting sustainable flooring and in clean, renewable solar energy.”

Dalton, GA – USFloors Inc. has achieved GREENGUARD® Children & Schools Certification for it’s line of Natural Cork® Floating Floors with the Endura AR™ finish as well as it’s entry level Ecocork® Floating Floors. Earlier this year, USFloors achieved the Children & Schools certification for its Natural Bamboo® flooring line, the only bamboo flooring line to achieve this stringent certification standard for indoor air quality. With the addition of the Natural Cork® floating floors, USFloors is the only flooring supplier to have both cork and bamboo flooring lines with GREENGUARD Children & Schools certification in it’s product portfolio.

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Piet Dossche leads YLS members on tour of USFloors manufacturing facility.

Forty-two United Way Young Leaders Society members recently enjoyed a lunch at USFloors, where President/CEO Piet Dossche entertained the group with stories about his personal journey as an entrepreneur. Piet taught the group about the process of making bamboo and cork flooring, shared 21 tips about starting your own business, and reviewed a photo slideshow of his international travels. Then Piet and his team led a tour of their Corporate Dr. manufacturing facility. Melissa Pateritsas, a YLS member, commented, “Piet Dossche is a true entrepreneurial success story. Everyone who attaned his presentation was surely motivated by his hard work and commitment.” James Gordy, another YLS member who attended the luncheon, enjoyed the event as well, “Very interesting to learn about innovative companies in our area! Mr. Dossche did a great job explaining his business and encouraging future entrepreneurs in the community.”

Members of the group learned that USFloors makes cork flooring from the by-products of wine cork manufacturing and that the company has solar panels on two Whitfield County facilities. USFloors is the only supplier of cork and bamboo flooring with manufacturing facilities operating in the United States. Piet and his wife Sabine are generous supporters of United Way, as members of the Alexis de Tocquville Society.

Young Leaders Society is a giving circle with over 120 members who annually contribute over $100,000 to the United Way of Northwest Georgia. For more information visit www.ourunitedway.org.

Click here to view photos from the event.

Royce Epstein of Kling Stubbins

USFContract, the specified commercial division of USFloors Inc., was recently profiled on “REPEAT NO REPEAT” a blog about materials, finishes, and interior design. Royce Epstein, a veteran Resource Specialist at Kling Stubbins, profiles the USFContract product line in her blog, making special note of Corboo, USFC’s exclusive patent-pending strand woven bamboo and cork hybrid plank, and Cork Decor, a heavy commercial cork floor with unique and distinctive visuals. Kling Stubbins, located in Philadelphia, is one of the largest architecture and interior design firms in the country. To read the article in its entirety CLICK HERE. For more information on USF Contract and to view the USFC product line visit usfcontract.com.

The Sun is Shining in Dalton, GA

January 19, 2010- The largest commercial solar array in the state was commissioned today in

USFloors' newest solar array is visible from Interstate 75

Dalton, GA. USFloors, a nationwide leader in sustainable flooring, installed an 144.48 kW solar array on their facilities. USFloors President Piet Dossche explained, “The array is expected to more than cover the energy needs for our green building, producing enough energy to power 10 Georgia homes. As part of USFloors’ ongoing sustainability mission, we have more than quadrupled the amount of solar energy we provide to the community.” The array covers approximately 14,500 square feet, and is visible from I-75.

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The following press release was distributed by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, a third-party organization that administers the GREENGUARD certification programs.

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Rigorous Indoor Air Quality Certification Augments USFloors’ Sustainability Credentials

ATLANTA (December 10, 2009) – The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is proud to announce that USFloors, Inc. has achieved the first-ever GREENGUARD Certification for a complete line of bamboo flooring. Though bamboo flooring has long been considered a sustainable choice because it is a rapidly renewable material, it now helps create healthier indoor environments by meeting the stringent chemical emissions standards of the GREENGUARD Certification Program^SM. continue

Phoenix, AZ - USF Contract, the commercial division of USFloors, was awarded the Green Exhibitor Award for the Partner Level at the 2009 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held recently in Phoenix, AZ. The Green Exhibitor Awards are based on points accumulated by using the Green Exhibition Scorecard provided by Greenbuild and the USGBC. continue

San Francisco - In a nondescript neighborhood on San Francisco’s south side, there sits what any average passerby would think is your typical everyday bungalow. But, with a closer look you find it’s no ordinary home. It’s San Francisco’s first and only Green X-ray House, and it’s quite the attraction.

Exposed walls of Green X-Ray House show various types of energy efficient insulation. Bamboo floor is USFloors' Engineered Horizontal Spice

The Green X-ray House is a public/private partnership between the city of San Francisco and local builders, designers, and building material suppliers. The house has been remodeled using energy efficient, sustainable, and financially viable green building practices and materials that can be incorporated into even the most average of homes with only a modest budget.

To demonstrate unseen features, some of the interior walls and floors have been left unfinished to allow visitors to peer inside the walls and under floors to view various types of wall insulation and subfloor radiant heating systems. Thus the name X-ray House.

The flooring was supplied through Greenv Sustainable Center of South San Francisco and installed by Crown Flooring of San Francisco. Craig Anderson, Crown Flooring owner, said, “It was great to be a part of such an important and innovative project that does a great job at educating home owners about green homes.” continue

The Avignon Collection from USF Contract, the commercial division of USFloors, has been featured in Interior Design magazines 2009 Fall Market Tabloid in the eco-friendly products section (p. 192). Introduced at Neocon East in Baltimore, Avignon is the newest addition to USF Contract’s line of unique and sustainable flooring products engineered specifically for commercial interiors.

The distinctive character of each Avignon Collection natural oil finished oak hardwood plank is achieved using a variety of antiquing and aging techniques and finished with natural oils to preserve the original beauty of the wood.

Avignon Collection’s natural oil finish provides a warmth and refinement to the floor that cannot be achieved with modern day acrylic or polyurethane finishes. The rich patina of each Avignon Collection floor is only enhanced with age and use – the more traffic it endures, the more beautiful it gets. The natural oils in Avignon Collection floors penetrate the grain and become part of the finish.

100% FSC Pure Certification

Avignon Collection floors feature the FSC 100% certified designation of the Forest Stewardship Council. This ensures that not only the oak wear layer, but the entirety of the wood used to produce these beautiful floors follows a verified and documented chain of custody. FSC certification gives you the confidence that only wood from well-managed forests harvested using environmentally responsible practices is used to make floors in our Avignon Collection.

Distinctive Surface Treatments

Avignon Collection floors feature a distinctive and sophisticated range of distressed, smoked, and antiqued floors finished with either natural or pigmented oils. Each Avignon Collection floor is meticulously crafted to ensure lasting beauty.

One of the Industry’s Thickest Wear Layers

The 6 mm solid oak hardwood top layer is one of the industry’s thickest wear layers and rests on a multi-layered, dimensionally stable core giving each Avignon Collection floor the strength to withstand many years of use. continue