There was a time when talking about eco-friendliness, and sustainability was considered a passing fad when it came to flooring types. Move forward to 2023, and eco-friendliness is now a reality and ingrained in the minds of most people, including homeowners. We have come to a point in our lives where we need to change our attitudes about how we treat the planet.
One of the ways to try to salvage all the harm that we have done over the centuries is by going green. We need to save planet Earth; otherwise, the future will be grim. In fact, many homeowners have started to go green by having eco-friendly wood floors installed in their homes. But what is the best eco-friendly wood flooring?
ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING OPTIONS
Cork
Cork is a relatively new flooring material in North America. While cork has been around for decades, its use has been limited to wine bottles and blackboard paddings. But over the years, it has been realized that cork is also a great material for eco-friendly wood floors. Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork tree, which is found in large quantities around the forests that encircle the Mediterranean Sea.
To harvest the cork, only the bark is removed, and the tree is spared. Within a few years, the bark of the tree grows back, which makes it a great sustainable resource. Cork is also naturally resistant to bacteria and other pests, is fire resistant, easy to clean, and very comfortable on the feet.
Like hardwood, cork can be finished with a variety of stains and paints to match any home decor. It is very versatile and can be installed in the basement, living room, garage, and bedrooms. If well looked after, it can easily last several decades.
Bamboo
Bamboo is rapidly becoming popular in North America as one of the best eco-friendly flooring choices for many homeowners. While classified as a grass, bamboo has features that resemble hardwood. Besides being extremely durable and hard, it is easy to maintain and clean and relatively easy to install.
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable flooring materials as it has very rapid growth, with the plant maturing in less than 3-4 years. This helps ensure that the supply of bamboo never diminishes. In addition, bamboo has a natural resistance to insects/pests and can withstand extremes of temperatures without any damage. In addition, bamboo is very light and easy to transport. It is available in many hues that can match most home decor. What gives bamboo the edge over other eco-friendly materials is its durability, moisture resistance, and hardness.
Linoleum
Linoleum is new again. When people think of linoleum, they usually think of plastic. But the truth is far from it. Linoleum is made from a combination of naturally occurring materials, like cork dust, linseed oil, wood flour, ground limestone, and various tree resins.
Unlike the first generation of linoleum products that could end up looking on the tacky side, the latest linoleum products are available in many styles and patterns and can even mimic wood, marble, or granite. Linoleum has many great features that make it ideal for residential flooring. Besides being water-resistant and fireproof, it is very easy to clean and install. Linoleum is available in many vibrant colors and patterns, and with the ability to resist wear and tear, it can easily last several decades.
Carpets
In the past, the majority of carpet flooring was not made in an eco-friendly manner. Older carpets were made using all types of synthetic fibers and used adhesives that contained volatile organic compounds. Well, a lot has changed in the world of carpets today.
Many carpets today are made from wool, which is a natural resource and readily available. As flooring, wool is not only soft but easy on the feet and comes in many patterns and colors. Other natural sustainable fibers used to make carpets include jute, sisal, and cotton. For comfort and pleasing aesthetics, nothing beats carpets.
Polyester Berber carpet is another choice for one of the best eco-friendly flooring materials one may want to consider. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the manufacture of Berber carpet has minimal impact on the environment. Instead of throwing away plastic bottles in landfill sites, they can be used to make Berber carpets. The Berber carpet is spill-resistant, durable, and available in many pleasing colors and patterns.
The two downsides to Berber carpets include unraveling the fibers if snagged, and, secondly, the recycled material is not soft on the feet. But for those on a budget and looking for an eco-friendly flooring product, Berber carpets can serve well.
Rubber
Today, the majority of rubber flooring is made from recycled tires. In the past few years, rubber has become a very popular flooring material both in residential homes and commercial businesses, like garages, gyms, hospitals, and heavy industries. Rubber is exceptionally tough and durable.
Even if it is compressed by furniture or heavy equipment, it will not show signs of dents or compression. Rubber is very versatile and can be installed in the kitchen, garage, basement, sunroom, and even the bathroom. It is soft on the feet, has excellent sound absorbency, and cushions fall. To prevent slips and falls, the rubber flooring is textured, which increases friction. For those who want eco-friendly flooring that will last many decades, rubber should be at the top of the list.
Engineered Wood
One of the best eco-friendly flooring materials is engineered wood. Also referred to as man-made wood or composite wood, the vast majority of engineered wood products are made from recycled hardwood. Strips of wood, scrap wood, shredded wood, or sawdust are bound together with adhesives to form a composite plank, which has a surface veneer layer.
The end product looks very similar to hardwood but also is stronger and just as durable. Engineered wood can be installed in almost any room. Eco-friendly wood floors are versatile and can add strength, stability, and beauty to the floor. Finally, with engineered wood, there is little or no waste. The end product is durable, more moisture resistant than traditional hardwood, and available in many patterns and styles.
CONCLUSION
With today’s technology, there are several eco-friendly flooring materials on the market. While they have some minor differences between them, most are durable, easy to install, and easy to maintain. The best way to know what eco-friendly flooring is ideal for your home is to speak to a consultant from East Coast Flooring & Interiors.