Traditional hardwood has been around for many decades, and it remains one of the most popular eco-friendly wood flooring materials for homes and businesses. As concerns about the environment escalate, more homeowners and business owners are turning towards traditional hardwood flooring.
Purchasing hardwood flooring can be a complex task as some of the wood species come from abroad, where quality control and sustainability may not always be a priority. In addition, there are at least half a dozen wood species native to America that are on the market, and while all of them have excellent aesthetics, not all are manufactured in an eco-friendly manner.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE HARDWOOD FLOORING?
While sustainability may mean different things to different people, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, it states that sustainable eco-friendly wood flooring is derived from forests that are monitored, managed, and protected to make sure that the trees do grow back over time. For every tree that is cut down, at least 2-3 more trees are planted.
Over the past few decades, deforestation has become a global problem, with less than 20 percent of forests now being protected. Homeowners who buy sustainable eco-friendly wood floors play a major role in supporting the renewal of forests and ensuring sustainability.
What should consumers know about hardwood flooring certification?
Several agencies have been formed to ensure that the wood obtained for eco-friendly wood floors is processed and manufactured without harming the environment. The key certificate that consumers should look for is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) document. This non-profit agency ensures that logging and forest management are done in a beneficial and responsible manner.
To become FSC certified, the manufacturer has to meet many criteria, including the safety of workers and wildlife protection. Another non-profit agency that protects natural resources is the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). While the criteria for certification are less rigid, SFI still assures consumers that the wood is not from old-growth forests in areas of deforestation.
There are several other labels that tell consumers if they are getting sustainable wood flooring, and it is important to speak with a reputable flooring specialist.
Low VOC
Over the past few decades, the terms low VOC and non-toxic have become popular. For homeowners wishing to install hardwood flooring, it is important to know what these terms mean.
There are certain types of flooring that contain trace amounts of toxic chemicals and gasses, or substances otherwise known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds usually enter the manufacturing process with the use of adhesives, glues, finishes, and stains.
Over time, the VOCs can be slowly released into the home or office environment. Therefore, when you purchase hardwood flooring, the onus is on you to ensure that the label says low VOCs and non-toxic flooring.
Should you purchase traditional hardwood or engineered wood?
Today, consumers who prefer sustainable eco-friendly wood floors have a choice between traditional hardwood and engineered wood. But is there a difference between the two?
Yes, as the name suggests, hardwood is one solid plank of wood. Engineered wood, on the other hand, is composed of multiple layers of wood adhered together with glue, followed by a plywood surface layer. Most consumers would not be able to tell these two flooring surfaces apart when installed.
In general, engineered wood is made either from recycled wooden planks or softwood trees, which tend to grow much faster than hardwood trees. Overall, engineered wood is more sustainable eco-friendly wood flooring since it utilizes recycled wood in construction.
The one downside to engineered wood is that it cannot be finished more than two times, whereas hardwood can be finished approximately 4-6 times. For this reason, the longevity of engineered wood is slightly less than traditional hardwood.
The other thing to know about engineered wood is that during the manufacturing process, adhesives are used to adhere the planks together. For the most part, manufacturers today use stains and finishes that contain low VOCs, but it is still something to think about.
Plus, the use of adhesives to adhere the engineered wooden planks together may make it more difficult to recycle and repurpose. Homeowners and business owners do have the option of installing engineered wood with nails and staples or using a click-interlocking technique.
What Types of Wood Flooring Should You Avoid?
Like all things in life, not all wooden floorings are the same in quality or functionality. The FSC recommends that consumers avoid overharvested or endangered wood species, such as ebony and Brazilian cherry.
Secondly, it is important to seek wood that is ethically sourced and has not contributed to deforestation. Finally, you want to purchase wood that has come from an FSC-certified forest and is free of insects.
Maintenance
Selecting eco-friendly wood flooring is a major undertaking, and it is not cheap. Hence, if you want your flooring to last many decades, it is important to maintain it, and this means:
- Regularly sweep the flooring to prevent dust collection
- Use furniture pads to protect the floor from scuff marks and scratches
- All liquid spills should be cleaned up immediately
- Once a year, refinish your flooring if it the surface begins to appear dull
CONCLUSION
When it comes to choosing between traditional hardwood and engineered wood, it is all a matter of personal preference and what you want from the flooring. Both types of flooring are exceptional and have many functionalities.
No matter what type of wood flooring you select, you will be making a sustainable choice that will help the environment. The best way to know which type of wood flooring is suitable for your home or business is to speak to an East Coast Flooring & Interiors representative.