Green Floors

Pros and Cons of Cork Flooring

With its reputation as an environmentally-friendly flooring choice that’s inexpensive and easy to maintain, cork flooring has become increasingly popular. In this post, we’ll discuss some advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of before you choose a cork floor.
[Read more…] about Should you choose a cork floor?

You may not realize it, but flooring can contribute negatively to home air quality and the environment in general. When wood flooring is treated with toxic chemicals or poorly constructed, those chemicals can off-gas into the surrounding environment. That’s why green certifications for wood flooring are so important.
[Read more…] about The Importance of LEED and CARB Green Certifications for Wood Flooring

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.