When designing an eco-friendly living space, you need to consider sustainable flooring choices. Some flooring materials have a much bigger environmental impact than others. Effective green flooring living space options include:
•Bamboo flooring. Bamboo is a highly renewable grass that is harvested fairly and does not require pesticides or fertilizers. Bamboo flooring is durable and beautiful and absorbs carbon dioxide. Many bamboo floors are certified FSC and FloorScore.
•Linoleum flooring. Linoleum is made from natural materials like flax, cork, and linseed oil. It is zero-VOC, hypoallergenic, recyclable and can last 50-100 years. Linoleum feels warm to the touch and comes in a range of wood and stone looks.
•Cork flooring. Cork oak bark is durable and elastic, waterproof and anti-microbial.They are comfortable, naturally resistant to damage and pests and help regulate temperature in living spaces. They can be painted or stained for different looks.
•Recycled plastic flooring. Plastic flooring made from recycled materials like plastic bottles, copper pipes, coffee, sugar and rolling papers. It is resilient, waterproof, fireproof, stable and low-maintenance but consumes few resources and reduces waste. Popular brands include SmartStep and Indie Flair.
•Engineered wood. Engineered wood floors use sustainably sourced wood veneers and fibers under pressure and heat to create a durable and stable floorboard.
•Reclaimed wood. Using reclaimed wood reuses unique materials that went to waste in barns, infrastructure, factories and demolition sites. Harvesting reclaimed wood has a much smaller environmental footprint than using raw materials.
Choosing green flooring materials that are sustainable, eco-friendly, recyclable and long-lasting can make a big difference in minimizing the environmental impact of your living space.
