Making the switch from traditional to eco-friendly flooring can seem daunting, but there are several options at your disposal. Whether you’re looking for a sustainable source of materials, enhanced comfort or a way to do your part for the environment, these flooring options are a great place to start. Plus, with their vast array of colour, texture and finish options, you can still create a floor that perfectly suits your style.
When looking for an eco-friendly flooring option, bamboo is a great choice. It is actually a grass but it is renowned for durability. It’s also a great renewable source of flooring, capable of being harvested and qualified within just a few years, unlike hardwood flooring which can take decades to mature. This means that bamboo, assuming a sustainably managed plantation, is an ideal source of flooring material.
Cork is another popular option for sustainable flooring. It is produced from the bark of a cork tree and then, after a period of drying, boiling, and compression, is cut into tiles and laminate shapes that are suitable for installation. It’s lightweight, comfortable, fire retardant, and naturally resistant to mold and mites. Plus, cork flooring can also be eco-friendly since the bark can be regrown in a manner of years.
Linoleum is another great option for eco-friendly flooring. This type of flooring is made from renewable sources, such as linseed oil, pine resin, cork, and wood flour to name a few. It’s durable, it comes in a wide variety of bold colors, and it has fewer harmful chemicals than other flooring materials, such as vinyl. As an added bonus, it’s an excellent choice for those looking for a warmer floor that also absorbs sound.
Tile is not only a beautiful, long-lasting choice for eco-friendly flooring, but it’s also incredibly versatile. Made from a variety of materials such as stone, glass, brick, and ceramic, tile floors can be installed on walls, showers, and of course, floors. Plus, tile flooring also has the added benefit of not using any adhesives which can be full of harmful chemicals.
Another eco-friendly flooring choice is concrete. This can be made from recycled materials such as glass, plastic, marble and rubber, as well as sealed with natural oils or water-based sealers. This makes concrete suitable for both indoor and outdoor flooring, as well as for a variety of finishes that mimic a genuine, stone look.
If you’re looking for a more natural option for flooring, then look no further than hardwood. Hardwood flooring is an ever-growing option in eco-friendly flooring, especially since there are now numerous suppliers out there that use reclaimed wood, sourced from sustainable forests. This means that you don’t have to worry about deforestation or excessive logging. Plus, hardwood is also an excellent choice for a longer lasting floor.
If you’d prefer to go even greener, then look no further than laminates. Not only is it cheaper than hardwood, but it’s an incredibly versatile option for flooring. The main component to laminates is made of resins and plastics, meaning it’s recyclable and reducing the environmental impact. Plus, laminates require less energy to produce than conventional hardwood too.
When it comes to eco-friendly flooring, options for recycled carpeting are also available. This type of flooring is made from sustainable sources such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic and can be recycled and reused many times. It’s also resistant to staining and can last for many years, making it an ideal option for businesses that need a durable flooring option.
For those who don’t fear a bit of DIY, wool carpet can be a great eco-friendly option. Did you know that wool is a natural material that can easily be retooled, discarded, and biodegraded? Plus, wool carpeting is exceptionally beautiful and adds a comfortable, plush look to any space. Wool is able to absorb up to 40% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp or clammy, making it ideal for a wide variety of environments.
Finally, don’t forget about concrete stains. This type of eco-friendly flooring is made by adding pigmented inks and dyes to the concrete before it’s even poured. This type of flooring can look just like marble, tile, wood, stone, or whatever you’d like. Plus, because there are no off-gassing adhesives, it’s free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it a great option for those interested in green living.
If you’re wanting to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, it doesn’t mean sacrificing style. In fact, flooring made of sustainable materials can often be more beautiful and unique than traditional materials. However, when it comes to choosing the best option for your home, it really comes down to what suits your style, while still being mindful of the environment. Which eco-friendly flooring option will you choose?