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Staff photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Aug 26, 2010 Cork flooring tiles are one of the green options at Praters Hardwood Flooring in East Chattanooga.
What: Line of recycled and recyclable wood and cork flooring products that can be used both commercially and residentially
Company: Praters Inc.
Location: 2712 Eighth Ave.
How it’s green: “The original green product is hardwood,” said Jim Lewis of Praters Inc. “It was green before it was cool.” Praters gets all of its green hardwood and cork flooring products from forests certified in sustainable forestry practices. Owner Mike Prater said since wood floors use less water and energy to produce and reduce landfill waste, they are an ideal eco-friendly flooring option.
How long will it last? Wood floors can last hundreds of years and typically do not need to be replaced as often as other types of flooring, Prater said.
Why do it this way? Prater said he can see green as the new way of the future and it’s a “smart market to be in.”
Plans for expanding: “I’d love to expand my green offerings,” Prater said. “I’m just not sure what else there is out there. One thing I’d like to do is start selling more water-based finishes, instead of oil-based.”
Advice for others considering green initiatives: Lewis suggests that business owners identify green products that can meet their customers’ needs. He said a lot of people want to be a part of the green movement, but it’s really about aligning the business’ needs with the right method to reach customers.
Is environmentalism an essential part of the business? After repainting the entire showroom green and designating a room for green products, Prater said environmentalism is fast becoming an essential part of his business. “It’s the right way to go for us,” he said. “It’s one of the essential things, and I see a very large market out there for it.”
— Compiled by staff writer Brittany Cofer, bcofer@timesfreepress.com
Brittany Cofer is a business reporter who has been with the Chattanooga Times Free Press since January 2010. She previously worked as a general assignment Metro reporter. In the Business department, she covers banking, retail, tourism, consumer issues and green issues. Brittany is from Conyers, Ga., and spent two years at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga., before transferring to the University of Georgia. She graduated from the university’s Grady College of Journalism in December ...
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