HONOR EARTH DAY 2014

Tips from Hunter Douglas, Pioneer in Energy Efficiency at the Window, on
How to Make Eco-Friendly Improvements to Your Home, ~

PEARL RIVER, N.Y., April 10, 2014 – Every year, over 190 countries join together with shared initiatives to support Earth Day on April 22. Environment-enhancing activities, like communities coming together to plant trees and flowers or host recycling drives, are commonplace. The Earth Day theme for 2014 is Green Cities, and as metropolitan areas continue to become heavily populated and emit mass amounts of pollution, it is more important than ever to work toward creating a sustainable environment.

Whether you live in a city, suburbs or exurbs, you can easily be eco-friendly in your home without sacrificing style. “Some people have this idea that recycled materials or eco-friendly products aren’t as attractive,” says designer Sally Morse, Director of Creative Services for Hunter Douglas, the leading name in custom window fashions. “I’m happy to say that’s not the case at all, you can have the best of both worlds when style meets eco-conscious manufacturing.”

Below, Morse offers her own tips for going green in style.

1. Paper-Based Countertops
Paper composite countertops are usually made of 50 to 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and other fibers. A formaldehyde-free thermoset plastic resin is the glue that holds these fibers together to create a nice smooth finish.

“In addition to looking like finely sanded wood and coming in an array of colors, the materials in these countertops, minus the resin, come from non-petroleum recycled sources,” says Morse. “They’re also durable and handle heat well.”

Paper composite countertops are usually made of 50 to 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and other fibers. A formaldehyde-free thermoset plastic resin is the glue that holds these fibers together to create a nice smooth finish. “In addition to looking like finely sanded wood and coming in an array of colors, the materials in these countertops, minus the resin, come from non-petroleum recycled sources,” says Morse. “They’re also durable and handle heat well.”

2. Bamboo Plywood
Bamboo grows plentifully and matures fully in just four years, making it one of the most sustainable woods for your home. “Bamboo is particularly perfect for bathrooms because it can stand up in a moist climate without deteriorating or peeling,” Morse advises. Low VOC’s are also used in the laminate that holds the plywood together.

Hunter Douglas offers Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades in a Batiste Bamboo fabric that is made from 45% sustainable fibers and contain recycled content.

3. Energy Efficient Window Treatments
Energy lost through windows can account for up to 25 percent of utility bills. “Highly insulating Duette Architella honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas have a cell-within-a-cell honeycomb structure that can reduce solar heat gain in summer by up to 80 percent and heat loss in winter by up to 40 percent and,” Morse notes. “And, the way the light filters into the room is beautiful.” New Duette Architella Trielle™ honeycomb shades have five insulating air pockets to go the extra mile and reduce heat transfer at the window by 20 percent more. By conserving energy at the window, you can rest assured your cooling and heating systems won’t have to work as hard.

4. Repurposed Furniture, Recycled Materials
“When you complete a project on your own, the sense of accomplishment is such a great feeling,” says Morse. Instead of heading to the furniture store and buying brand new pieces, spruce up your own with new finishes and fabrics. Or, have a fun yard-sale hunting day and scour your neighborhood for items you can bring back to life. This way, you’ll reduce landfill waste and preserve precious trees. A number of window fashions from Hunter Douglas are also produced with recycled content. Several Hunter Douglas honeycomb shade fabrics for example, include recycled materials and Modern Precious Metals® blinds are made from 95 percent recycled aluminum slats. Hunter Douglas Provenance® woven woods shades, the most comprehensive offering on the market, are also made from sustainable materials, including grasses, woods, reeds and bamboo.

“Eco-friendly design is in, and it’s here to stay,” Morse advises. “There are so many reasons to make your home green, so why wouldn’t you?” Use this Earth Day to ask yourself just that: when it comes to green design, why not?

Source: Hunter Douglas Inc