Eco-Friendly Flooring

Just like other materials for the home, many kinds of flooring now come readily available in attractive new choices that are design-driven, long- lasting and eco-friendly. This new wave of sustainable flooring options is as stylish and strong as their non-sustainable varieties. But these “green” floors are not only good for the planet; they are good for you, too.

That means they are made from components that do not deplete our natural resources and also do not “off gas”—that is, release—toxic chemical by-products that may contribute to indoor air pollution.  
Today, there are green versions of traditional materials like hardwood and tile, new selections like bamboo and cork as well and a choice that’s both new and old—linoleum, brought back to the marketplace because of its environmentally sound qualities.

To make sure that you don’t get floored by all the choices out there, here’s a run-down on the some of the top choices in eco flooring today.

Put a Cork on It
With a rich earthy color and textures reminiscent of wood, cork flooring provides advantages all its own. Cork floors are great for areas where maximum comfort and high noise absorption is required like a kitchen or playroom.

The inherent qualities of cork make it an attractive flooring choice in all living areas in the house. Cork provides warmth and resilience, sound insulation and a comfortable cushion underfoot. Harvested every 10 years from the outer bark of the cork oak, it is a renewable resource and considered environmentally sustainable.

There’s even a unique type of cork flooring made from wine bottle corks—how’s that for recycling? The wine corks are cut into circular discs about 6mm (1⁄4") thick and glued on a special paper backing to form interesting and unique mosaic patterns. They resemble penny tiles and can be mixed with their ceramic cousins for an interesting design options.

Bamboo–Not Just For the Jungle
Bamboo flooring is an excellent environmentally-sensible alternative to hardwood floors or carpet. Actually a grass, not a tree, bamboo is harvested from managed plantations and does not destroy the habitats of wildlife. Whether you prefer the deep espresso hues or gym floor light tones, properly aged bamboo will make a stylish and strong addition to your home. Bamboo is silky smooth to the touch but harder and more dent-resistant than many hardwoods such as white oak and maple. High-quality brands of bamboo flooring will give you a durable, non-toxic, and beautiful floor for many years.

Wooden It Be Nice to Have a Guilt-Free Wood Floor?
Yellow heart pine, Douglas fir, maple, oak, and hickory— there’s nothing like a real hardwood floor. For homeowners sold on traditional hardwood floors, the Forest Stewardship Council makes sure that your lumber comes from sustainably managed forests. Many of types of wood are produced in FSC-certified forests in which the trees are regenerated, biodiversity is conserved, and air and water quality are preserved. FSC-certified wood flooring is comes in hundreds of different shades and styles.

Another option is to go with salvaged or reclaimed flooring recycled from older buildings.

Most reclaimed wood flooring is milled from structural beams and timbers that were used in warehouses and factories in the early 1900s. Some might even be salvaged tongue/groove planks  flooring. In either case, the vintage wood instantly brings charm and character to a room.

Roll Out the Green Carpet
Easy-to-find natural carpets are those made from natural sisals, jutes, and sea grass. But for a softer yet natural floor covering, you can also find low-toxic100 percent wool carpets made with undyed or vegetable-dyed yarn and minimal natural latex (rubber) glue. Thick and resilient, real wool offers natural insulating properties. For more color varieties, try carpets with high recycled (synthetic) content and less-toxic backings and adhesives.

Back to the Future with Linoleum
A popular kitchen floor of mid-20th century America, linoleum was first introduced and patented in 1860. Made of natural and renewable materials such as linseed oil, pine resins, wood flour, and pigments, it was ready for a comeback in eco-conscious the 21st century—and it’s here.

Today, natural linoleum is available in many colors ranging from pastel and subdued to vibrant and daring colors. Available in both sheets and tiles, linoleum is a durable, biodegradable material that is comfortable, warm and quiet. Linoleum is also hypoallergenic and antistatic; characteristics that help linoleum repels dust and dirt. Linoleum is an excellent option for playrooms and home gyms. Unlike vinyl flooring, the colors in linoleum are embedded all the way through the material.

Add Class with Recycled Glass Tiles
Recycled glass tiles have grown up. It used to be that the only kind available was a bright rainbow mash-up of many bits of glass. Not anymore. Today tiles that are 98% recycled glass are available in solid uniform colors and sizes. Made of reclaimed windows from old buildings, and manufacturing waste from window and windshield production, recycled glass mosaic tiles have only been available since 2008. It is suitable for floors in both dry and wet areas.

Whatever room you’re flooring, you can make sure what’s underfoot is green by choosing eco-friendly materials like Forest Stewardship Council certified wood floors, durable cork, mature bamboo, natural wool carpeting, natural linoleum or recycled glass tiles. All you got to lose are indoor pollutants.