From the Floors Up

Karastan Rugs and Carpets Receive Wool: Clean Air Certification

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clean-air-woolKarastan has become the first company to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label on all of its wool carpets and rugs.

Products approved to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label are tested by a certified independent laboratory and must pass stringent VOC emission testing for 13 contaminants. In addition, the products are required to meet scientifically established testing standards that verify reductions of VOCs, including formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, in the indoor environment.

Wool: Clean Air Certified is an Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) program managed by Wools of New Zealand.

“Wool has incredible attributes that deserve to be recognized,” says Connie Berry, director of marketing for Karastan. “As the largest manufacturer of wool carpets and rugs in America, we applaud Wools of New Zealand for giving wool a greater voice. Solid scientific backing and high testing standards give the Wool: Clean Air Certified label impressive credibility that we are proud to carry on our products.”

The buildup of indoor air contaminants is a growing concern in residential as well as commercial interiors. Although many materials, including carpet, pass tests for minimum VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, wool goes a giant step further by removing contaminants from the air and improving the health of the indoor environment.

“Wool is proven to significantly reduce indoor air contaminants within seven hours of installation and to keep contaminants out of the air for 30 years,” says Elise Demboski, executive director of North America for Wools of New Zealand. “Unfortunately, this unique attribute is overlooked since wool only represents 2 percent of the market. Through the Wool: Clean Air Certified program, we are bringing wool to the forefront where it will be noticed.”

In addition to meeting the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED point requirements, the certification also meets the standards for California Section 01350 and Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

Carpets and rugs containing a minimum of 50 percent wool are eligible for Wool: Clean Air certification. Product samples are submitted by platform, which is dependent upon backing and latex type. Every platform is fully retested on an annual basis to maintain the integrity of the Wool: Clean Air certification.

Published on: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 on www.talkfloor.com

WOOL: CLEAN AIR CERTIFIED PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND

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4198_WNZ_CleanAirCert_Logo_Col_FA01The buildup of indoor air contaminants is a growing concern in residential as well as commercial interiors. Although many materials, including carpet, pass tests for minimum VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, wool goes a giant step further by removing contaminants from the air and improving the health of the indoor environment.

Wools of New Zealand is giving voice to the unique attributes of wool through a new Wool: Clean Air Certification program. Products approved to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label are tested by a certified independent laboratory and must pass stringent VOC emission testing for 13 contaminants. In addition, the products are required to meet scientifically established testing standards that verify reductions of VOCs in the indoor environment, including formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

“Wool is proven to significantly reduce indoor air contaminants within seven hours of installation and to keep contaminants out of the air for 30 years,” says Elise Demboski, executive director of North America for Wools of New Zealand. “Unfortunately, this unique attribute is overlooked since wool only represents 2% of the market. Through the Wool: Clean Air Certified program, we are bringing wool to the forefront where it will be noticed.”

Wool: Clean Air Certified is an Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) program managed by Wools of New Zealand. In addition to meeting the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED point requirements, the certification also meets the standards for California Section 01350 and Collaborative for High Performance Schools CHPS.

Carpets and rugs containing a minimum of 50% wool are eligible for Wool: Clean Air certification, with Wools of New Zealand partners benefiting from reduced testing fees. Product samples are submitted by platform, which is dependent upon backing and latex type. Every platform is fully retested on an annual basis to maintain the integrity of the Wool: Clean Air certification.

The first company to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label on its products is Karastan. All wool carpets and rugs made by Karastan surpass the testing standards and prove to significantly reduce indoor air contaminants.

“Wool has incredible attributes that deserve to be recognized,” says Connie Berry, director of marketing for Karastan. “As the largest manufacturer of wool carpets and rugs in America, we applaud Wools of New Zealand for giving wool a greater voice. Solid scientific backing and high testing standards, give the Wool: Clean Air Certified label impressive credibility that we are proud to carry on our products.”

Detailed information about the Wool: Clean Air Certified program is available on woolcleanair.com and through Wools of New Zealand at 1-800-367-0462.

Godfrey Hirst's Santorini Delivers Luxury, Fashion And Function

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Godfrey Hirst Carpets USA, a Wools of New Zealand partner, is expanding its line of wool carpets with Santorini, a two-tone tufted loop pile style that carries the Wools of New Zealand brand for assured quality and performance. Introduced at Surfaces 2010, Santorini samples are now shipping to retailers across the country in time for the fall selling season.

A clean and crisp pattern, Santorini is given extra depth, uniqueness and versatility through the use of a solid yarn in combination with a stippled yarn, according Laurie Bray, Marketing Manager for Godfrey Hirst. Ten neutral colorways in earthtone combinations help form the nubby styles of this product offering.

Developed for residential environments, this classic berber is 12’ wide, in a 36 oz. construction that will provide functional luxury and understated fashion on residential floors and stairs.

For Atlanta-based Myers Carpet, Santorini is a welcome addition to its offering of Godfrey Hirst products, according to Chris Fonville. “Godfrey Hirst has been a great supplier for at least ten years,” Fonville says. “Santorini offers us an opportunity to sell our customers a good quality wool carpet in a great looking wool classic berber at a price that will certainly be welcomed by both the consumer and our sales staff.”

Myers Carpet has been in business for 50 years and in Atlanta for 24. Fonville adds, “We consider ourselves to be leaders in the southeast in natural fiber carpet. Branded Wools of New Zealand products give us a story to tell our customers, not only about the quality of the wool but also about the testing that guarantees performance. We explain the difference between Wools of New Zealand branded carpet and unbranded wool carpet. It’s important to us.”

For further information, please contact Godfrey Hirst Carpets at 800-480-7134 or visit their website at: www.godfreyhirstusa.com. If in Canada the website is: www.godfreyhirstcanada.com.

All About Wool Carpet

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Before the end of WWII, wool carpet production by Alexander Smith & Sons of Yonkers, New York reached 26,000 square yards of woven wool carpet per day. Wool has been the fiber of choice for garments and carpets since 4,000 BC! However, when nylon was introduced during WWII, it quickly replaced wool as the dominant fiber choice for carpet. Wool now accounts for only a small amount of carpet produced worldwide, though it is still known and desired for its richness, safety and beauty.

As a carpet fiber, wool has much to like, starting with its exceptional ability to hide soil. Even when soiled, wool carpets respond easily to most standard commercial cleaning methods. When constructed properly and maintained reasonably, wool carpets will never “ugly out,” (like nylon or polyester) giving you a true wear life of up to 20 years or more! Another factor influencing wool’s beauty is its affinity for dyes, allowing for deeper, richer and more luxurious colors. Finally, wool carpet is safe; it is non-flammable (self extinguishing) and non allergenic.

The biggest negative for wool carpets is the cost, with installed prices starting around $4 per square foot. One other concern is that it may be more susceptible to staining elements like red wine or fruit drinks – simply because of its great affinity for dyes, which give you the vibrant colors you want. Nonetheless, if you have the budget and can protect against the stain agents, wool is still the most luxurious of carpets and will give you a very long wear life!

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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