Jan 25, 2021 | Flooring America
Concern for the environment is top of mind for many of us these days. And when it comes to smart and sustainable choices for the planet, those often start in the home. For example, with the type of flooring you choose. Luckily, there are countless ways to make sustainability a priority when redoing your floors.
Flooring that will last for a long time is a major priority for families who are looking to invest in a “green” choice. The less likely you are to need to replace or repair your floor, the better the impact on the environment—not to mention your family’s budget. Great choices for long-term durability include resilient luxury vinyl, as well as hardwood floors that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (indicating these floors have been made from wood that was harvested using sustainable forestry practices). Laminate floors are also a nice choice when homeowners are looking for a durable, long-lasting flooring option.
The materials your floors are made up of play a big part in how eco-friendly they are. Thankfully, there’s a wide variety of options on the marketplace that fit this bill. Bamboo and cork are two great sustainable flooring options, as bamboo is actually a grass, not wood, meaning it grows very quickly and does not require significant re-harvesting. (Make no mistake, while bamboo is a grass, it has a hardness rating higher than most oak flooring.) Then there’s cork, which is made from only the bark of trees, so there’s no need to remove the trees themselves from their habitat in the process of harvesting. (And unlike other trees, removing the bark from a cork tree does not harm it.) There are also many other viable flooring options available that contain sustainable sources–some you may not have even considered.
Nowadays, modern carpets are not only more stain-proof and waterproof, but many brands offer carpets made of natural fibers and crafted using environmentally friendly resources. Carpet is also a great green flooring choice in that it has the added benefit of insulation. So, if you live in a colder climate, this means keeping heating costs down—another key way to be environmentally conscious.
If carpet doesn’t fit your flooring dreams, shift your gaze to tile. Many tile floors today are sourced from recyclable materials, whether it be recycled glass or porcelain. Tile is also a smart, eco-friendly choice for warmer climates, as it is incredibly helpful in keeping spaces—whether they be commercial or residential—extra cool when temperatures spike.
In recent years, concrete floors have seen a revival. Typically, the industrial look of concrete was seen as, well, too industrial. But trends change, and concrete floors are now considered a beautiful, minimalist option. And as most floors, whether hardwood, carpet, or laminate, have a concrete layer underneath. When you “go concrete,” you remove the cost (and chemicals!) involved with adding extra layers of flooring on top. Plus, concrete floors never need to be replaced, making them the perfect choice for sustainability. And cleanup, of course, is a snap.
No matter what your budget is, or what climate you live in, it’s possible to find beautiful flooring for your home that is also eco-friendly. Be sure to talk to the experts at your local Flooring America about how to best create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly home. From eco-friendly carpets to long-lasting beautiful wood floors, the folks at your local Flooring America are here to help you, and the planet, become greener.
