A green floor?
No, we’re not talking about the color of your carpet or tiles. We’re talking about flooring that’s as good for the environment as it is for your lifestyle.
Thanks to renewed interest in caring for the environment, keeping your home renovations green is a must. Keep reading — we’ll give you the best eco-friendly flooring options to keep your renovations green.
1. Wood
Whether you’re looking at hardwood like oak or softwood like pine, wood flooring keeps your renovations eco-friendly.
Building with wood has tons of eco-benefits. It’s renewable, recyclable, long-lasting, and doesn’t harm the environment. It can be pricey, but for many homeowners, the classic look of polished wood floors is worth the cost.
Make sure you source wood that’s Forest Stewardship Council certified. If you want even more eco-friendly wood flooring, choose recycled or reclaimed wood. This refers to wood planks sourced from old building projects.
Reclaimed wood gives your floor an irresistible old-time look. Even more importantly, it extends the life of this building material.
2. Cork
Cork is one of the best eco-friendly flooring options out there. Not only is it 100% renewable, since it comes from the bark of the cork tree, but harvesting cork doesn’t kill the tree. In fact, the same tree can continue to give cork for up to 250 years.
Cork has a slew of other benefits, including:
- Natural insulation against heat and cold
- Repels bugs, mold, and allergens
- Low cost
- Versatile
As if that weren’t enough, cork floors are often made from recycled bottle stoppers. That means that they promote recycling and prevent landfill waste. No wonder they’re known as the greenest floors out there.
3. Linoleum
Wait, linoleum is good for the environment?
That’s right. Not only is linoleum a natural product of the flax plant, but you can burn it when its lifespan is over with no toxic effects on the environment. Plus, it can last up to 40 years.
Linoleum comes in a vast variety of designs, so you’re sure to find one that suits your decor.
4. Stone
Stone is a staple of any eco-friendly building project. Hard to damage and easy to reuse, it makes a dramatic flooring choice.
The earth produces new stone through tectonic processes, so it’s a renewable material. However, it’s so heavy that builders can burn lots of fossil fuels moving it. Make sure you find a local source for your stone to keep it eco-friendly.
5. Recycled Tile
You can find recycled tile in a variety of materials, including ceramic, stone, and glass. While this eco-friendly flooring option can be more costly than others on this list, it’s a perfect choice for smaller rooms such as a bathroom.
Since recycled tile comes in a variety of colors, this is a perfect flooring option if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind bohemian vibe.
The Best Eco-Friendly Flooring for You
There’s a whole world of eco-friendly flooring options. With so many to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the one that fits your home.
Did you find this article helpful? Then be sure to check out the rest of our blog. You’ll find more tips on home improvement, real estate, and living green.
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