To be considered green or eco friendly flooring, the floor material must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Sustainable
Many wood flooring options, including bamboo, eucalytpus, and cork come from wood sources that are sustainably managed and easily re-grown. This is also true of many wool sources of carpet. Using materials that have been grown within a 500 mile radius also increases the sustainability of your flooring option by reducing energy costs of transport.
Made from Recycled content and/or Recyclable
Rubber flooring is often made from recycled rubber. Wood floors are sometimes made from salvaged wood from old buildings and fallen trees. Recycled plastics can be used to create new carpet. Stone can be salvaged and re-used as well. In addition to the above, vinyl can be recycled.
Small Carbon Footprint
Wool and bamboo are examples of materials that don’t take a lot of resources to manufacture and decompose easily.
Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content
VOCs are man-made chemicals used in the production of paints, solvents, and adhesives. They have been linked to nervous system damage and cancers. Choosing a floor that doesn’t require lots of adhesives or finishes in its production and installation is a way to reduce the toxic impact of your floor. You can also make sure your floor installation uses water-based adhesives over solvent-based ones. Materials like stone are low in VOCs.
Durable and/or Low Maintenance
By choosing a high-quality flooring option, your flooring will need to be replaced less often which creates less waste. Also, by choosing a floor that doesn’t require harsh chemical treatments and finishes, you are reducing the toxic load of your floor.
The Floor Store is Your Green Flooring Destination
We at the Floor Store in Thornebrook Village are committed to reducing our impact on the environment. As such, we have many green flooring options to choose from. Please see our green flooring gallery, visit us, or contact us to learn more. Whether you are remodeling your home, or just replacing an old floor, we would love to discuss your options. Together can improve your home and the environment.