5 Ways to Make Your Floors More Eco-Friendly
Taking care of the environment is something that needs to be done in every aspect of our lives. When it comes to flooring, this means paying attention to which of the common materials are used, as not all flooring materials are equal when it comes to being eco friendly. With that in mind, here are some ways you can make your flooring more eco-friendly.
Cork
Cork might not sound like something that belongs under your feet instead of on the walls, but cork flooring is one of the most eco-friendly options available. The trees the cork is harvested from are not cut down or killed; rather the necessary ingredients are harvested from the core of the tree, which heals over time. Beyond that, the cork-based flooring has wonderful anti-allergen properties, and is naturally fire-retardant. The material can be styled in a variety of ways, and is pretty durable too.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a material that has been used in flooring and buildings for some time, but it only recently is beginning to makes any headway in the American markets. Bamboo is a lot more eco-friendly than traditional hardwood flooring, since Bamboo trees grow back in about a quarter of the time that it takes most hardwood and softwood trees to grow back, making it pretty renewable.
Linoleum
Linoleum is actually one of the most eco-friendly options available, since it is not made from plastics and chemicals like vinyl flooring. Linoleum is actually a combination of several organic materials, including oil, cork, tree resins and crushed limestone. Linoleum plank flooring is one of the most popular flooring options available, and linoleum itself is one of the hardiest materials, holding up against moisture and water better than just about every other option.
Wool Carpet
We won’t forget about carpet. Residential carpeting is something you will find in most homes, and while it does have its’ share of problems, it can be eco-friendly if it is made with the right stuff. Wool carpet in particular is made from wool harvested from sheep. There is a long history of wool carpeting, with good reason. It can be styled in many, many ways, and is a renewable source. Wool carpet in particular does not use a lot of the harmful chemicals in the creation process the way a lot of synthetic carpets do.
Reclaimed Hardwood
Just because traditional hardwoods are not particularly eco-friendly themselves does not mean there isn’t a way to make them eco-friendly. The best way is to use reclaim hardwood. Most hardwoods are supremely durable and will last for centuries, if properly maintained. Even if the material has seen better days, you can always sand away the scratches and imperfections and resurface it to have it looking brand new again.
If you are in the Nashville and Greater Middle Tennessee area and are thinking about your floors and the way they impact the environment, maybe now is the time to make the switch. Ozburn-Hessey is here for all of your environmentally friendly flooring needs, and will help you every step of the way, from picking out the perfect floor to installing it.