MILWAUKEE—Timber Holdings International, the original Iron Woods brand of naturally durable hardwood products, announced a partnership with MEISTER of Germany to be the U.S. distributor of the first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified laminate flooring line for the United States. The new flooring is suited for both commercial and residential buildings, and complies with LEED requirements set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council for green buildings.
The laminate line includes both cork backed (9.3 mm) sound-absorbing, and non-cork backed (8mm) products in 4″ and 5 1/2″ widths. This floor is produced using the newly-developed direct printing technology, so there is no need to use the melamine paper used on typical laminate flooring, which makes for a more durable floor and reduces the hazardous materials used for production.
The engineered flooring line (13 mm), has a plank width up to 12″. No formaldehyde is added in production of this FSC certified flooring, giving more opportunities at LEED credits. A 2.5 mm top wear layer will allow future refinishing. Coupled with the no-VOC glue and moisture barrier system, this floor can be glued directly to a concrete subfloor. A full sampling and display program is available with product distribution throughout the United States.
Proof of Environmental Compliance
The collection is permitted to carry the FSC symbol, which demonstrates that the flooring is environmentally friendly and LEED compliant. Products with the FSC trademark contain wood from properly managed forests and other controlled origins. The certification is carried out according to the requirements issued by the Forest Stewardship Council.
“At Timber Holdings, we are committed to sustainability,” said Brian Lotz, president of Timber Holdings International. “By offering this first FSC certified laminate flooring to the market with MEISTER, we are further demonstrating our continued leadership in the green building movement. Not only is the flooring certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, but it is also sound absorbing and, as with all other MEISTER products, it is extremely aesthetically pleasing.”
The products comply with the LEED requirements for MR 6 rapidly renewable materials for the cork backed product (17 percent by volume), MR 7 certified wood, EQ 4.4 low-emitting products laminate and composite wood, and MR 4.1/4.2 Recycled Content. In addition to meeting the LEED requirements and being FSC certified, the flooring is also Blue Angel certified, and carries no premium for the certifications.
