Von Löwen Designs

Even in today’s challenging economy, the marketplace for alternative decking and outdoor living is a growing one. A recent 2008 AIA study concluded that by 2015 the average new home will have both an outdoor living space and outdoor kitchen. When added to the fact that there are estimated to be approximately 10 million decks in the U. S. that need replacement, it’s clear that non wood decking materials will continue to gain popularity.

This acceptance represents a great win for the environment, with every 20 feet of composite decking containing roughly 30 pounds of waste products including – plastic milk jugs, shampoo and laundry detergent bottles, saw dust, and shopping bags, which would of otherwise ended up as landfill.

Leading the industry in both sustainable practices and innovation of consistent high quality outdoor living products is Fiber Composites. Fiber Composites, manufactures of Fiberon, diverts over 33,800 tons of wood and plastics from landfills and incinerators each year.

Fiberon offers decking, railing and fencing products that are produced in a virtually waste free manufacturing process and are engineered to deliver long term, maintenance free performance that requires no chemical preservatives, paint or stains that are common with wood decks, railing and fencing. Fiberon’s materials are completely non toxic and urea formaldehyde free while remaining stain, scratch, mold and fade resistant.

Fiber Composites is a proud ally of the Environment Protection Agency’s GreenScapes, a program that promotes cost efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for landscaping. Designed to help preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution, it provides research, guidance, publications and online calculator tools that can aid in your decision making and implementation of more sustainable landscape solutions. The Decking Alternatives Cost Calculator demonstrates that green decking options are very cost competitive. In many cases, initial costs for environmentally preferable products are comparable to conventional wood. Where initial costs are higher, they are made up for by savings over time.

With some of the most natural looking composite decking selections around; designed to mimic beautiful and exotic woods like Ipe, Cambara and Cumaru; Mahogany, Redwood and Cherry, designers and builders alike can meet the growing demand for sophisticated and Earth friendly outdoor living environments while homeowners reap the rewards of exterior spaces that are beautiful, durable and practically maintenance free.

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so before you leave be sure to visit Von Löwen Designs to view an assortment of refreshing examples in kitchen and bath design concepts, refined palette and interior finishes, and sustainable yet chic, green remodeling ideas that may encourage and inspire your next remodel or home improvement project.

Dating back to our cave dwelling years, man has been building green apparently unknowingly, utilizing just the dirt below his feet to construct and fabricate using earthen plasters.

Today, American Clay is resurrecting these ancient sustainable concepts, originating centuries ago, to produce one of the most healthy and environmentally friendly building materials known at this time.

Together with it’s longevity, durability, recycled content and zero VOC emissions, earthen plasters contain what appear almost magical healing characteristics, by releasing negative ions into the air. Negative ions are believed to increase Serotonin levels, helping alleviate both depression and stress while boosting energy levels. Normal ion count in fresh country air is around 2,000 – 4,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter, at Yosemite it’s over 100,000 negative ions. Sadly, in most homes and working environments it is below 600. Earthen plasters can increase negative ion count 10 – 20 times in an average indoor environment and improve indoor air quality (IAQ) tremendously.

So if you are looking for a non toxic, repairable, moister controlling, non dusting, mold and fade resistant alternative to paint and stucco for your walls and ceilings, you may want to investigate using American Clay. Currently offering a selection of 3 plasters in 43 different tempting shades, as well as colour matching services, it just could be the most healthy choice to gain the texture, warmth and tone you’ve been eager to restore.

Don’t miss American Clay on YouTube to learn even more about their materials and applications!

A big shout out and thank you to Phil Ponce and Painted Earth Finishes for the use of his work and images!

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so before you leave be sure to visit Von Löwen Designs to view an assortment of refreshing examples in kitchen and bath design concepts, refined palette and interior finishes, and sustainable yet chic, green remodeling ideas that may encourage and inspire your next remodel or home improvement project.