Save Money and the Planet With These Green Flooring Options

April 15, 2022 12:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

If you wish to go green in your flooring, several options are available. Many people think of green as being natural or made of renewable substances. However, there is more to consider when you want your floor to be environmentally friendly. The following are some factors that affect the impact of flooring material on the environment:

  • Renewability
  • Recyclability
  • Life cycle
  • Responsible manufacturing
  • Maintenance
  • Transport distance

Here are nine of the best green flooring options that are durable and cost-effective.

Cork flooring options

Cork, a naturally renewable material, is made from the oak tree’s bark, which rejuvenates after harvesting. It offers insulation against cold and heat, and it naturally repels bugs, mites, and mold. You can also make cork floorings using recycled bottle stoppers.

Linoleum flooring

This flooring material is made from oxidized flaxseed oil, which is naturally produced from flax plants. Linoleum material is highly renewable and widely available. Its production has a minimal negative effect on the environment, and the floors can last for over 20 years. When you can no longer use this material for flooring, you can burn it as fuel. 

Bamboo flooring installation

Bamboo is among the fastest-growing plants. With a harvest cycle of between three and five years, bamboo is very renewable. The downside to bamboo is the possibility of causing substantial pollution due to transportation, since it mostly comes from the Pacific Rim.

Eco-friendly carpeting

You should always be cautious when buying carpets, because some are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Moreover, some carpets trap mold and dust or can release harmful elements into the air. A carpet made from natural materials like jute, wool, and seagrass is the best option.

Hardwood flooring option

Hardwood flooring is a natural product that is continually being renewed. It is entirely decomposable and can easily be recycled and used for other flooring work or as fuel. Nevertheless, you should ensure the wood you select comes from forests certified and well-managed by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Recycled hardwood floors

Wood recycled from building applications or other floorings can be used for floors. Several types of wood are rare, but you can source options by recycling old structures. The use of such materials minimizes waste and averts the cutting down of a live tree.

Natural stone flooring option

Stone is a natural product continuously being recreated by the earth’s tectonic processes. It does not damage the environment, and you can recycle it into other flooring plans. Nevertheless, stone is fairly heavy, so the transportation impact on the environment can be significant.

Recycled metal tiles flooring

Metallic tiles are made from scrap pieces of copper, brass, or aluminum. Since metal is a limited resource that is non-biodegradable, using it in flooring applications keeps it out of the landfill and conserves dwindling supplies of these materials.

Recycled glass flooring

Tiles made from recycled glass waste like broken windows and discarded bottles are wonderful flooring materials. Their use ensures that these non-decomposable materials do not end up in a landfill.

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