Eco-Friendly Flooring Options

Shopping for new floors can be challenging, especially if you are environmentally conscious. At first glance, sustainable flooring options are to come by. However, it’s pretty easy! By choosing eco-friendly flooring options, you are contributing to a healthier, happier planet and home environment.

What eco-friendly flooring options are available and what benefits do they offer? Let’s find out!

What are the benefits of eco-friendly flooring? The most obvious one is what it does for the environment, but there are a couple of other aspects to consider. This includes the following:

• Sustainability: The majority of eco-friendly flooring are made from renewable resources or recycled materials. In turn, they conserve natural materials and reduce waste.
• Health Benefits: Materials like bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood tend to be low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which improves indoor air quality. These materials are great for homes with pets, children or those with allergies.
• Long-Term Savings: Despite being good for the planet, eco-friendly floors are also quite durable. This reduces the need for replacements, saving you money over time.

Overall, choosing eco-friendly flooring options has its advantages. By going green, you are improving your indoor air quality and saving money in the process. We will learn about each of these flooring materials next.

There are more eco-friendly flooring options than you think. Each offers unique environmental benefits. Check out the options below:

• Bamboo Flooring: This fast-growing grass can be harvested sustainably since it grows back so quickly. As flooring, it is durable and resits scratches and moisture damage. Its light natural tones and darker stones can complement a variety of homes.
• Cork Flooring: Harvested from cork oak trees, the bark naturally grows back, making this a renewable resource. Additionally, it is comfortable, offers natural insulation and is hypoallergenic. Cork resists mold and mildew as well.
• Reclaimed Wood Flooring: Taken from old buildings, barns and even wine barrels, reclaimed wood flooring reduces the need for new timber. Denser than traditional wood, it brings rustic character to any room.
• Linoleum Flooring: Made from linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, these floors are biodegradable, which causes less of an environmental impact than its counterparts. It is also durable, scratch-resistant, and naturally antibacterial.
• Recycled Materials Flooring: Consisting of recycled materials like rubber, glass, and old carpets, these floors keep waste out of the landfill. The materials also tend to be durable, low-maintenance, moisture-resistant and affordable.

Flooring made from eco-friendly materials are just as great as their natural counterparts. In some cases, they are even better. However, you can’t buy just any flooring material. You have to look into certifications to find ones that are truly sustainable. We will discuss those next.

While on the hunt for sustainable flooring options, you have to be careful. Only flooring with certain certifications is truly sustainable. Keep an eye out for the following:

• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): This certification ensures any wood or bamboo products are sourced from sustainably sourced forests.
• GreenGuard: When a flooring material has this certification, it is low in chemical emissions, which contributes to better indoor air quality.
• FloorScore: By purchasing these products, you are selecting materials with low VOC emissions.
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Damage): Flooring with this certification contributes to green building credits.
• Cradle to Cradle Certified: When a flooring material receives this certification, it can be reused or recycled at the end of its lifespan.

By reading the labels, you are contributing to a better planet. It also allows you to find flooring that meets your sustainability needs.

When you choose eco-friendly flooring, you are choosing materials that improve your home and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. From bamboo and cork to reclaimed wood and recycled materials, there’s an option for everyone. At Carpet to Go, we believe in sustainability and protecting the environment in the Carolinas. So come on down to one of our showrooms in Charleston, Charlotte, Mooresville, Concord, or Winston-Salem today.

Ready to make a difference with your flooring? Contact us today!