Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Floor Choices for Your New Home

It might come as a surprise that some of the best eco-friendly floor choices for your home are also one of the oldest (next to packed gravel, that is). The most popular is, of course, wood. Wood floors are both sustainable and friendly to the environment.

But just as importantly, they are both stunningly beautiful and able to take a beating. So long as you maintain your wood floors, you can keep them looking beautiful not only for years but for generations.

These days, you can not only go with traditional wood flooring products but also engineered wood. Says the pros at Arizona Hardwood Floor Supply, Inc., a wood floor refinishing company, engineered wood flooring is handcrafted wood that’s designed to replace traditional wood flooring.

It’s constructed by applying a natural wood veneer to a substrate of plywood flooring material, which creates a natural, solid hardwood floor look. It’s durable, flexible, and eco-friendly. It’s also very affordable.

That said, what are some other eco-friendly wood floor choices you might want to consider for your new home? According to a recent report by GreenCitizen, the concept of eco-friendly and sustainable flooring, you are entering into a green concept that is said to extend way beyond the latest home trends and modern designs.

Eco-friendly or green flooring is a reference to construction materials that pose a minimal negative impact on the environment. This can include a wide range of factors from the overall sustainability of the resources utilized such as reclaimed wood or renewable bamboo, to the flooring production process which must use low volatile organic compound or VOC emissions.

The significance of green flooring being employed in modern home construction is said to be profound. It’s believed that it is one of the cornerstones in the bigger picture of home design and engineering. This is a field that’s believed to be rapidly gaining traction as architects and builders become more conscious of their ecological footprint.

It’s important to note that sustainable flooring isn’t only about the materials that are tread upon. It is also about establishing an energy-efficient, eco-friendly living space that resonates with your desire to protect the planet.

With that in mind, here are some of the most popular sustainable and eco-friendly floor choices for your new home.

Bamboo

Said to stand out in the realm of eco-friendly flooring materials, bamboo is one-of-a-kind in that it combines sustainability with style and durability. Bamboo is also appealing because it renews rapidly. Technically speaking, it’s not a wood so much as a grass that can reach maturity in the wild within three to five years.

No hardwood tree even comes close when it comes to the time it takes for it to grow. A rapid growth cycle translates into a replenishable sustainable construction resource.

Also, bamboo is famous for its resilience and strength which can rival traditional hardwoods in wear resistance and longevity. Its natural versatility and aesthetic offer numerous hues and grains which makes it a favorite choice for green-mined homeowners who seek a blend of modern design with eco-friendly sustainability.

Cork

Said to be a sustainable home flooring material renowned for its green qualities and comfort, cork flooring is a much sought after material. Born from the bark of oak trees that regenerate every eight to nine years, cork flooring is an excellent renewable resource. The harvesting process does not do harm to the tree, which makes it a green and eco-friendly practice.

Adding to its overall environmental benefits, cork flooring is said to possess natural insulation properties that provide both sound reduction and warmth. Cork also is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial which makes it an excellent choice for homes where comfort and health must be taken into consideration.

With its cushioned feel under your feet and its unique and varied patterns, cork flooring can add a wonderful aesthetic to your new home.

Reclaimed or Recycled Wood

Says GreenCitizen, reclaimed wood, such as the material you might acquire from an old, abandoned barn, can be an exceptional choice when it comes to green new home construction and history preservation. It’s sourced from all sorts of old structures, like warehouses and long forgotten houses that would otherwise be facing complete demolition and the scrap heap.

Recycling valuable wood means there is less demand for new timber. In turn, you conserve forests and minimize the need for logging.

Reclaimed wood floors are said to also possess a unique aesthetic with each plank “telling a story” with its weathered textures and tones. This choice of flooring not only means you’re tipping your hat to history, but also longevity and durability. Many of these floors will outlast contemporary flooring materials which make it an eco-friendly and character-filled choice for the modern home.

Linoleum

Today’s linoleum flooring is not your grandparents’ flooring. In the 2020’s the material is considered a standout when it comes to biodegradability and natural composition. Unlike its synthetic origins, today’s linoleum is engineered from cork dust, tree resins, linseed oil, and jute backing.

Every one of these materials is considered green and sustainable. The material is not only biodegradable, but it gives off low VOC emissions which contribute to a healthier indoor quality of breathable air.

You can count on today’s linoleum to be extremely durable. It will last for decades with the proper care or the need for a replacement. When it comes to design and color, it is versatile and adaptable to whatever interior style you are going for in your new home.

It contains natural antibacterial properties that make it a practical selection for households that place sustainability and cleanliness at the top of the priority list.

If you’re looking for green and sustainable flooring for your new home, you have many choices including recycled metal tiles and natural stone. An interior designer can assist you with choosing the right material, or you can consult directly with a professional, certified flooring installer.

You will also want to hire a professional flooring refinisher to keep your eco-friendly floors looking the best they can be while prolonging their life for generations to come.