Q: I've heard that wool carpet is a good eco-friendly alternative to nylon carpet. What exactly are the differences between wool and nylon that make it a good choice?

A: Aside from numerous health benefits, wool carpet has an impressive list of superior qualities. Wool carpet lasts much longer and wears beautifully compared to nylon. The fibers of wool are naturally resilient, and even after years of use, wool carpets remain vibrant to the eye and supple to the touch. Wool's special natural coating on each fiber also makes it stain resistant; its dirt-resistant overlapping scales trap dirt near the surface of the carpet so it vacuums clean easily.

In terms of health, new nylon carpet is especially harmful because it exposes a home's resident(s) to the more than fifty toxic substances, which off-gas in the home, used in production; these difficult to pronounce compounds cause a variety of side effects and health problems, including memory loss, high blood pressure; burning sensations in the mouth, lips and throat; chest pain, irregular heart beat, unusual fatigue, depression, hair loss and many more debilitating conditions.

Here's just some of the good news about wool carpet's ability to create a healthy home with benefits that last as long as the carpet itself: Wool carpet is nontoxic, non-allergenic and will not support bacterial growth, continually purifying indoor air for up to thirty years while locking the contaminants deep in the core of the fiber. Wool is naturally insulating for both heat and sound and reduces energy bills. It helps control humidity and also reduces static electricity and risk of shocks.
Wool is far and away a better choice than nylon for creating a healthy home that supports the overall wellness of its inhabitants. It keeps rooms quiet and cool in summer and warm in winter.

Q: What are some options for eco-friendly countertops?

A: A variety of eco-friendly resilient, unique and beautiful materials are now available for your home and may be used alone or together to create an array of creative effects. Here's a summary of the best and brightest available.

PaperstoneTM is a very durable countertop surface made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper pressed with five tons of pressure. Its nontoxic dye and cashew nut shell resin give the result of a countertop that can hold up under wear and tear. It handles up to 350 degrees of direct heat, is stain and scratch resistant and fabricates similar to hardwood. This amazing waterproof material may be used indoors and out and has the strength of steel and beauty of stone while maintaining the warmth of wood. Paperstone is a stylish and sophisticated material that has won numerous sustainability awards is and available in fourteen colors.

IceStone(c) is an exciting new material which is a mixture of 100 percent recycled glass and concrete. It looks and performs like stone and is installed and maintained like granite. To keep it stain resistant, reseal it yearly just like natural stone. There are about twenty combinations of luminous colors available. IceStone contributes to LEED certification, withstands up to 350 degrees of heat easily, is stain and scratch resistant (with sealant intact) and is a good granite alternative.

Kirei displays natural beauty as a strong and sustainable material made of reclaimed sorghum stalks pressed with poplar wood. It can be used in countertops, furniture, cabinetry and more. Kirei accumulates LEED certification points, is lightweight, and is engineered in three thicknesses for various applications that can be finished with the product of your choice. Kirei resists warping and has excellent dimensional stability and screw-holding power.

Recycled glass tiles (above) are sustainable and come in a variety of beautiful colors and install like any other tile. All of the tiles can come in one-inch, two-inch, and four-inch square pieces made from 100 percent post-industrial waste. The process uses half the energy of ceramic tiles and creates zero emissions. A unique selection of borders, accents and drawer pulls made from 100 percent recycled glass in matte and glossy finishes can be used to complement the finished look.

Bamboo may also be used for countertops; it is a renewable resource with multiple uses and styles.

Jennifer Woodruff is the owner of Build It Naturally, which offers eco-friendly paints, flooring and countertops in their new location on Biltmore Avenue next to the French Broad Food Co-op in Asheville, NC. Visit http://www.builditnaturally.com.

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