The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

14 Real Estate Weekend Digest, Friday, August 24, 2007 The time has come for `green' buildings Concern for the environment is changing the building industry Architects, interior designers, builders and industry leaders have come together to support an initiative that certifies and recognizes green building projects. Environmentally beneficial Using cork is earth-friendly Growing concern for global warming is causing consumers to pay more and more attention to environmentally responsible products for the home. This awareness is behind a surging homeowner interest in cork flooring. The many benefits of cork start with its unique natural structure. Composed of millions of tiny cellular air pockets, cork is extraordinarily lightweight and low in density. Those who own cork floors know this is the key to their warmth, comfort and quietness. You can enjoy these benefits knowing that cork is truly a Cork floors are made without destroying a single cork oak tree. Cork is grown mainly in managed forests in Portugal and Spain where the bark is carefully harvested, once every nine years, in a centuries-old tradition with hand tools, a process that ensures the forests will remain undamaged. It is not unusual to have a 200 year-old tree still producing cork bark. When it comes to the home, here's another surprising feature: indoor air quality actually improves with cork flooring. It is hypo-allergenic and insect resistant. Mites and even termites are repelled due to a naturally occurring substance in cork called suberin. Cork also reduces heat loss in rooms, and body heat loss through the feet. Cork maintains a comfortable ambient temperature, never too hot or too cool. Walk barefoot on a cork floor and the warmth is immediately apparent. The eco-friendly nature of cork is catching on with Canadian consumers. Some flooring companies are just now adding cork to their product lines. Only a few companies, like TORLYS (torlys.com) in Mississauga, Ontario, have complete lines, proven experience and knowledge. Cork flooring is an easy way to add warmth and beauty to your surroundings and feel good about the environment at the same time. When you know all the facts, it's hard not to give cork a second look. --News Canada building materials and practices are increasing due to an industryendorsed program called LEED Canada. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a Green Building design guide and rating system created specifically for new construction and major renovations to commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings. The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) is the implementing body for LEED Canada which has been adapted from a successful original program developed in the United States. LEED Canada is a certification program. Improved building performance is certified with ratings - Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum - based on the total points earned. Points are awarded to buildings for using materials and practices that promote healthy living and have reduced environmental impacts. Building occupants, purchasers and tenants can now inquire about a building's environmental status by requesting information on its LEED rating. Innovative manufacturers and suppliers understand the importance of LEED and have embraced the new system. In Canada, TORLYS Floors is one such company. TORLYS has published a guidebook (see http://LEED.torlys.com) to help the building and design community understand how flooring can contribute to LEED certification. "LEED certification is rapidly becoming more than an environmental initiative," said Tino Couto, senior product manager at TORLYS. "LEED is setting a higher stan- dard for building quality that progressive companies want to be a part of. It's a whole-building, whole-life perspective recognized by consumers and builders alike." Green buildings are definitely here to stay. Environmentally responsible building materials and practices are becoming the new standard for construction and renovation. --News Canada