Less Common Sustainable Flooring Types for Your Remodel
You've probably heard that responsibly sourced wood flooring can be eco-friendly, and you may know that natural stone floors can be fairly sustainable as well because they require minimal processing. But aside from these popular types of flooring, you actually have a lot of other eco friendly flooring options, some of which you may not be familiar with.
Here are a few of the less well-known options for eco-friendly floors that you can use to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, or entire house.
1. Cork
Natural cork material can be even more sustainable than wood because only the outer bark of the tree is harvested for this material, and the bark then grows back relatively quickly. The trees don't need to be cut down and regrown, so habitats are left intact.
While cork isn't a very common material for flooring, you can find flooring products made of cork, and it comes with several natural benefits. It's naturally springy and water-resistant, unlike wood, and has sound-deadening properties while not being chilly on the feet like tile. Be sure to choose a cork product that doesn't have chemicals like formaldehyde mixed in.
2. Bamboo
Although not as springy as cork, bamboo is another wood substitute that's very sustainable. Bamboo isn't a tree but rather a giant form of grass, and it grows back in five years or less, rather than in 40 or more years like a tree. This means bamboo can produce a lot more flooring material in a much smaller space than a tree can.
Bamboo doesn't provide the large, solid boards that a 40-year-old tree would, but the bamboo pieces can still be formed into a flooring product similar to wood in appearance and hardness.
3. Recycled Metal
Recycled metal can be formed into tiles that you can use on your floor. While a bit chillier than bamboo or cork, metal can be one of the most durable and long-lasting materials. You may never have to replace your floor again, especially if you use a highly water- and corrosion-resistant metal such as aluminum.
The tiles can be textured so they won't show dents or scratches easily and can be colored for decorative purposes. And since metal is also recyclable, you don't have to worry about disposal at the end of the floor's life.
4. All-Natural Linoleum
While you may think of linoleum as a plastic that can't be great for the Earth (interchangeable with vinyl flooring), real linoleum is actually made of all-natural materials like plant oils. If you find a source for real, all-natural linoleum that doesn't contain any vinyl or petroleum-based ingredients, you'll be getting a relatively eco-friendly floor.
Another eco-friendly aspect of linoleum is that it can be recycled into new linoleum. And while it may not have quite the hard-wearing power of a solid metal floor, linoleum can still grace your floors for decades if you care for it properly.
5. Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles may not sound as fancy as ceramic tiles for your bathroom, but they can provide a very similar appearance and function. And because concrete doesn't have to be baked in a kiln, the production of these tiles can be more energy-efficient than that of ceramic tiles. Add in the remarkable longevity of concrete, and you have an all-around eco-friendly flooring option.
6. Recycled Rubber
Rubber chips from old tires may not sound like the most luxurious floor covering. Still, recycled rubber flooring is highly water-resistant, grippy, and springy, which makes it valuable as a floor material, especially in rooms that could have wet floors.
The kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, mudroom, gym, or basement could all potentially benefit from this type of floor. And because so many old tires are thrown away or burned, giving them a new life as a floor covering can be a very eco-friendly choice.
You may not be ready for the most unusual eco-friendly flooring types yet, but knowing all your options can help you compare and weigh the pricing, function, longevity, and appearance of different flooring styles against what you most need your floor to do. For more information on flooring and other materials for your home remodel or construction, contact us today.