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Sustainable flooring options made to stand the test of time

High in price and demand, timber is one hot commodity. But a component on the decline for this material, specifically in wood flooring, is the environmental impact of its manufacturing. From forest-management to the use of salvaged materials, these four solutions offer sustainable flooring options built to stand the test of time.

Mixed-Softwood sustainable flooring from Timeless Materials

AUTHENTICALLY RUSTIC

Calling all history buffs: this repurposed wood flooring from Timeless Materials is the perfect way to add a vintage touch to any interior. The company salvages wood from local historical sites to sustainably create planks in a range of sizes. And the best part? It’s manufactured right here in Ontario. From $5/sq. ft., at Timeless Materials Co.

Relative Space’s Chico collection

WOOD YOU RATHER

Why sacrifice style for sustainability when you can have both with Relative Space’s Chico collection of wood flooring? Devoted to caring for the planet, the Toronto brand adheres to eco-friendly practices in all of its manufacturing – from ensuring sustainable forest management to preventing deforestation. Custom pricing upon request, at Relative Space.

Sustainable flooring inspired by nature, the Origem Capsule Collection by Amorim Wise

COLOURFUL CORK

Available in eight vibrant colours inspired by nature, the Origem Capsule Collection by Amorim Wise is made entirely of cork – a raw material that is biodegradable, renewable and even recyclable. With its springy, flexible texture, this eye-catching flooring option protects from both environmental effects and physical impacts. Custom pricing upon request, at Amorim Wise.

Northern Wide Plank’s Artifax collection

CAREFULLY HAND CRAFTED

Northern Wide Plank’s Artifax collection is made entirely from recycled wood diverted from landfills. After the wood is salvaged from old barns, it is meticulously inspected, kiln-dried, planed and sawed by hand. Plus, it comes in a variety of styles, from natural to sanded to fit any project. Custom pricing upon request, at Northern Wide Plank.

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Okay, but it clearly is

For the first 16 years of my life, the bat cave at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)—a reconstruction of an actual cave in Jamaica—was among my favourite places in the city. The cave was decorated with cast stalactites and wax bat models, which hung from the ceiling and threw jagged shadows on the walls. A few other features imbued it with spooky verisimilitude: the drip-drip-drip sound effects, the mirrors arranged to create the illusion of infinite depth, the strobe lights strategically placed to make the shadows flutter. When I visited as a five-year-old, the bat cave scared me. When I visited as a stoned fifteen-year-old, it scared me even more. Then came the renovation.

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