Stevens Sustainable Homes has worked with Paperstone on a regular basis since our founding, for countertops in kitchens, baths and outdoor gathering places. It can be used for windowsills and can be applied vertically for cabinet work, partitions or paneling. Paperstone uses 100% post consumer recycled paper and a non-petroleum based resin. Organic pigments assure color stability with subtle effects over time from UV exposure. The product has a strong surface, is abrasion resistant, has a high fire resistance, absorbs little water, is stain resistant, warm to the touch and has a contemporary appearance.

Among the many exciting sustainable products now available for flooring are cork and bamboo. Cork is a renewable resource because the cork trees are not cut down to harvest the cork. Instead the bark of the tree is used and may be re-harvested every nine years. As flooring the product is sound absorbing, insulating, hypoallergenic, water resistant and tough against abrasions. Bamboo is also a renewably harvested crop that is fast growing without replanting. The flooring is stain resistant, abrasion resistant and popular for its aesthetic value.

Stevens Sustainable Homes works exclusively with Low and Zero-VOC paints. When considering a home’s indoor air quality non-toxic paints and finishes are an important component. Due to recent environmental regulations paint manufacturers have developed these paints that are no longer a health threat as their conventional predecessors were, “off-gassing” years after their application. These Low and Zero-VOC paints are also better for the environment and allergy sufferers. For more information on all non-toxic paints go to www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm

While it has the humblest of beginnings earthen floors are endearing for that very reason; inexpensive materials are mixed and stabilized to become an attractive and high quality flooring. Natural earth is compacted with straw or similar fibers and finished with linseed or hemp seed oil. The result is a foot-friendly product often compared to leather in its texture. Stevens Sustainable Homes will be using an earthen floor in an up-and-coming new construction home. The clients have chosen this product for the following reasons: no construction waste and little to zero pollution, durable with minimal care, repairable, ergonomically comfortable and attractive. Please check our website in 2009 for up-to-date photos of this innovative product.