Options for Green Flooring
Bamboo is stronger than most hardwood flooring options.
There are a variety of green ways to floor your home, which is not only good for the environment, but is also good for you and your family, roommates, and pets. Some of the options tend to cost more than conventional flooring options, but when it comes down to helping the environment, the benefits out weigh the higher costs.
One option is bamboo flooring. Bamboo is grass that grows fast. Bamboo is highly sustainable because it reaches maturity quickly and has the ability to replenish itself. Bamboo is stronger than most hardwood flooring options. In addition to bamboo’s strength and durability, it is available in a wide variety of earth tones and caramelized colors. Another added benefit is that bamboo flooring is water resistant which makes it a great choice for bathroom flooring. As far as pricing goes, bamboo is a little less expensive than hardwood flooring.
A second option is concrete flooring. Concrete flooring is on the rise in terms of going green with your flooring for a number of reasons. Concrete uses very little energy in production compared to the other flooring types, it requires no trees to be cut down to produce it, it is recyclable, and concrete floors do not contain any harmful volatile organic compounds. Many synthetic carpets do contain volatile organic compounds. Coupled with all of these pros, concrete floors are great energy savers. In the summer, you’ll need to use your air conditioning less because the concrete floors make you feel cooler. During the wintertime, concrete floors naturally absorb the heat from the sun, which will help keep your house warm.
Cork is a third option because of its durability, soft feel, its ability to provide thermal and acoustic insulation and its resistance to fire and rot. Cork flooring does not require professional installation.
A fourth option is natural linoleum, which is made from linseed oil and pine resin, both of which are natural and renewable resources. conventional linoleum contains harmful volatile organic compounds and other toxic chemicals, whereas natural linoleum does not. Some of the best qualities of natural linoleum include; stain resistance for easier cleanup, water resistance, and durability. A potential downside depending on your preference is that natural linoleum has a very distinct smell of linseed oil, which may irritate some people. On the positive side, natural linoleum is easy to clean and does not attract dust, so it’s a good choice for people with asthma and allergies.
Recycled rubber tiles are a fifth option for flooring, and a great one because it is recycled and it requires a minimal amount of energy to manufacture. Recycled rubber flooring is ideal for families with little kids because it is sound absorbent, durable, stain resistant, easy to install and easy to clean.
Terrazzo Flooring is a sixth option for flooring and has been used for hundreds of years, but is gaining popularity as more and more people are searching for eco friendly flooring options. Terrazzo flooring lasts a long time and is easy to maintain. 95% of recycled glass terrazzo is made from glass waste, and the left over portion is made of epoxy or cement, neither of which contains volatile organic compounds.
A final option is wool carpeting, which is a great option for those who want to be eco friendly and still have some form of carpeting. The manufacturing of most synthetic carpets yields toxic fumes as a result of the petroleum based ingredients and the volatile organic compounds that are utilized in their production. Wool is a natural resource that is sustainable, and is one hundred percent biodegradable.
