As people have become more aware of the consequences of global warming, we can see a significant change in the way that we live. These changes have also extended to the building world – with designers and manufacturers actively searching for environmentally friendly materials, green building conventions have become very popular. Besides the obvious bonus of being on-trend, investing in sustainable flooring can reduce your carbon footprint and improve the value of your home whilst saving you money – since, by definition, sustainable options are made to last.
What does it mean for a floor to be sustainable?
Many people know that sustainable options are good for the environment, but aren’t exactly sure what this means or how it can relate to flooring. When talking about sustainability and flooring, there are many details to consider, all of which can influence the sustainability of a product.
These include:
- The use of natural resources• The type of materials used
- The way in which the product is manufactured
- The way in which the product is packaged and transported
- Whether or not the product can be recycled after use
Now that we have a clearer understanding of the different levels pertaining to sustainable flooring, here is a list of some of the most popular environmentally friendly flooring options – some new and some old.
Wooden flooring
Wooden flooring, including solid wood-, strip- or engineered- flooring, is one of the best options when it comes to sustainable flooring. The manufacturing process makes use of few raw materials and uses renewable materials as well as very little energy. On top of the sustainable manufacturing process, wooden floors are incredibly durable, with solid wood floors, in particular, lasting over a life time. They do not need to be replaced and if damaged or old, they can be restored, rejuvenated or resurrected many times. Many people think that the use of wood flooring can result in deforestation but this can be avoided by making use of reclaimed wood, salvaged wood or wood that is FSC certified – that means that the timber is managed and evaluated according to standards that protect the environment, the economy and the surrounding people. Finally, this style has remained a classic that is consistently on trend since it matches with any style and can bring a warm feel to a living space.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is one of the biggest flooring trends at the moment. Not only is it super stylish, it is also an excellent sustainable flooring option. Bamboo is a type of lightweight grass that is recognised for its strength, giving it the capacity to make a very durable floor that is able to withstand swelling and shrinking as moisture levels change. Although not as durable as hardwood floors, they are made from a renewable resource and are able to quickly regenerate. A bamboo plants can take anywhere between three and five years to become a mature plant, whilst, on the other hand, some hardwoods can take up to 120 years.
Cork
Similarly to bamboo, cork is another very trendy and sustainable flooring option. Cork flooring is produced from the Cork Oak tree by separating the bark from the tree trunk without doing any damage to the plant. Because of this process cork is a renewable resource. As with the harvesting of the cork, the manufacturing and refining of the material is eco-friendly as it makes use of water-based colouring and adhesives that have little or no impact on the environment. On top of this, the cellular structure of the cork protects against heat loss and gives the floor the ability to bounce back when dented.
Linoleum
Linoleum is also a great sustainable flooring option since it is made completely from natural and sustainable materials such as pine rosin, linseed oil, cork and wood dust, as well as mineral fillers. Because of these natural substances, the production, installation, usage and disposal of this particular type of flooring has little to no impact on the environment. Additionally, linoleum flooring is resistant to dents, scratches and moisture making it less likely to be damaged. VinylLast but not least, vinyl flooring is an often overlooked eco-friendly flooring option. Whilst vinyl flooring is completely composed of synthetic materials such as PVC and additives, it is made through sustainable processes and consists largely of recycled materials. The floor itself is incredibly durable and can last for over 20 years and, once removed, is fully recyclable.
