1) Ipocork, Ltd., (Cork flooring)27011 Brighton Lane, Lake Forest, CA 92630 Ph: 714.855.4642, Fax:714.837.1427 Ipocork, LTD

    Looking for an alternative flooring material? Consider cork. Cork flooring is an alternative, but it is not new. Cork flooring has been used for many years, most notably in Frank Lloyd Wrights’ Fallingwater, in western Pennsylvania. Cork, the bark of Cork Oak, comes primarily from Portugal, spain, and Sardinia. Cork bark is harvested every nine years from the oaks as it naturally loosens, begins to shed, and grows again. Cork has been used since the Roman times for sealing wine bottles and barrels. Today, it is still used in wine bottles, while the rest is ground up for soundproofing, shoe soles, and flooring. Cork flooring is available in tiles and tongue-and-groove planks, starting at about $3 per square foot. Cork flooring comes in an array of rich, woody tones which vary subtly in pattern, texture, and hue.

    Ipocork Ltd flooring offers a cork flooring for museums, concert halls and other public places, as well as for private residences. The material is a lamination, including a vinyl backing, a cork cushion layer, and a thick clear vinyl wear layer.

2) RECYCLED GLASS TILES Bedrock Industries, 620 North 85th St., Seattle, WA 98103. Ph: 206.781.7025
also, Pratt & Larson Tile Inc., 1201 SE Third Ave., Portland, OR 97214. Ph: 503.231.9464, and 207 Second Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98104. Ph: 206.343.7907
also, Oceanside Tiles, Oceania series. Distributed by Walker & Zanger, 8901 Bradley Ave., Sun Valley, CA 91352. Ph: 818.504.0235
also, Oceanside Glasstile Co., 3235 Tyler St. Carlsbad, CA 92008. Ph: 619.434.0051

    Another alternative flooring solution can be found in the dumpster. Old wine bottles and beer bottles are finding a second life other than being recycled into new wine and beer bottles. There are a number of companies producing decorative tiles for walls, floors, and mosaic accents. From 1" to 6" squares, these tiles are characteristically flawed with bubbles and cracks. Glass tiles can be used for a complete floor, or used sparingly as accents on terra-cotta or concrete. Glass tiles are easy to maintain, yet obviously, fragile…