There was a time when people heard about eco-friendly flooring materials, it has evoked images of being boring, bland, and expensive. Fortunately, this is no longer the case these days. In this day and age where homeowners are more conscious than ever, going green with your flooring is no longer impossible and costly. Thankfully, if you are looking for a Baltimore county Maryland floor contractor or any flooring specialist in your area, you will eventually find out that there are numerous options to install environmentally safe flooring materials into your homes. Given that manufacturers have stepped up to their game and provided us more eco-friendly flooring options, we have created a list of these materials that you can use for your next flooring makeover.
Cork
A relatively newcomer to the flooring world as you normally see it on your walls or in a bottle of wine, cork is a naturally renewable material from the bark of the cork oak evergreen trees. It typically grows back after being harvested and replenishes itself every eight to ten years. It is a very sustainable flooring option because manufacturers don’t need to cut down trees to produce this kind of flooring. In fact, some cork flooring is created from recycled bottle stoppers. But aside from being eco-friendly, cork flooring is durable enough that you can install it in almost any area of the house. With proper care and maintenance, you can expect that cork flooring may last for about 10 to 30 years. It also offers a variety of color schemes and designs that would blend well with any décor inside your home.
In addition to its versatility and durability, cork flooring provides good insulation against cold and heat and has anti-microbial properties that reduce allergens in your home. Not to mention that is naturally repellent to molds, mites, and bugs.
Linoleum
While most linoleum has been mistakenly identified as vinyl and been replaced on the market by PVC-based materials, there are still a lot of good quality, eco-friendly linoleum products today. And when we say good quality, these are linoleum floor coverings that are 100% biodegradable that release no toxins at all.
Linoleum is no longer new to the flooring world. It is made from natural linseed oil combined with resins and wood fillers. Linseed oil comes naturally from flax plants. The material is highly renewable and widely available in the market. The production of linoleum does not bear negative effects on the environment, making it a greener flooring option for your home. Good quality linoleum flooring is extremely durable. It can even last for about 25 to 40 years when cared for properly. Since it does not emit any toxins, this flooring option is an excellent choice for a family with members suffering from allergies or asthma.
While using linoleum may evoke images of a bad 1970s kitchen or boring floor surface, it is now reemerging with a variety of vibrant colors and attractive design options. For samples and designs, it is best to talk to your Baltimore county Maryland floor contractor, so you can have better selections.
Wool Carpet
Carpet is a perennial favorite in many homes in the US. It is so soft and comfortable to walk on. It comes with a great inventory of colors, styles, and designs—making it a good flooring option all year round. However, some might think that it is not eco-friendly and sustainable. This is because some carpets are produced using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to human health. Luckily, there is still eco-friendly carpet flooring available for you today. Consider using a wool carpet.
Wool carpet is a 100% sustainable flooring option. It is a natural resource dyed with any color to blend well with the style and design of your home. This floor covering is not only environmentally friendly, but it is also tough and durable. It can even last for decades if maintained and cleaned properly. A high-quality wool carpet has resistance to liquid and stain, as compared to synthetic fibers.
Hardwood
If you want to stick to a classic, traditional appeal of wood, nothing goes wrong with choosing hardwood flooring. Hardwood is a natural product of the world and is completely biodegradable. It is renewable and can be used for other flooring projects like in the case of reclaimed hardwood flooring. Not only it offers incredible design options, but it is also durable. Hardwood flooring can last for decades for as long as you clean and maintain it properly. It also increases the resale value of your property, making it a substantial investment in the long run. Just keep in mind that choose hardwood that comes from environmentally responsible suppliers. You may ask for a certification from Forest Stewardship Council or FSC. If you will be working with a Baltimore county Maryland floor contractor, don’t forget to ask for this information.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is starting to gain popularity because of its myriad benefits. Though it bears physical similarities to solid hardwood, it is actually a type of tropical grass. However, unlike hardwood that can take about 25 to 100 years to fully mature, bamboo is one of the most rapidly growing plants with a harvest cycle of only 3 to 5 years, making it a highly renewable and sustainable flooring option. When it comes to aesthetic appeal, bamboo flooring is noticeably light to the eyes. It provides many hues and colors that will complement well in any décor or setting in your house. But you may also speak to your Baltimore county Maryland floor contractor to give you recommendations and design ideas regarding this flooring option.
Made from natural vegetation, bamboo is known as a durable flooring material as well. Normally, it has a 1350 rating on the Janka hardness test—a similar rating to white or red oak. Although with special manufacturing techniques, bamboo can receive a rating of almost 3000—a better rating than hickory, Brazilian cherry, or rock maple wood flooring. However, keep in mind that some bamboo floor coverings are made with formaldehyde, a chemical compound that can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. That is why you need to discuss this with your Baltimore county Maryland floor contractor. You can also ask your dealer regarding formaldehyde emission level before you even install it in your home.
Polyester Berber Carpet
If you don’t feel like using wool carpet, there is polyester Berber carpet as another sustainable carpet flooring. This type of carpet flooring is eco-friendly because it comes from recyclable plastic bottles which offer less impact on the environment. Using recyclable plastic bottles in production reduces the amount of trash in landfills.
Polyester Berber carpet is durable and spill resistant. You won’t go out of style with this type of flooring option. This is because polyester Berber carpet comes in a wide variety of colors, designs, and patterns. It suits most color schemes and settings in your home. For ideas and patterns that will complement well to any décor of your home, you may want to ask for recommendations from your Baltimore county Maryland floor contractor.
Natural Stone
While stone is a non-renewable material, it still provides eco-friendly benefits. Natural stone does not harm the environment and can be constantly recycled into different flooring projects. When it comes to aesthetic appeal, natural stones offer unique character to your home. One of the most environmentally friendly natural stones is granite. Granite is a popular choice because it is so durable and resistant to scratches and stains.
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With today’s technology and innovation, getting an eco-friendly flooring material does not need to be bland, boring, and costly. You can make your home and the world a little greener place. Plus, you can reduce harmful impacts on the environment by installing eco-friendly flooring options.
If you like this blog, don’t forget to connect with us. Carpet Ready provides a free in-home consultation for your next flooring project.