Top 5 Most Eco-Friendly Flooring

As we become more and more eco-conscious, we are finding that many of the things we normally consume are detrimental to the environment. This can be especially true for the flooring we use in our homes. But there are environmentally friendly options widely available, and here are five of the best eco-friendly flooring options.

Concrete Flooring

Although it may seem nontraditional, concrete (specifically if it’s polished) can be very stylish, all the while being highly sustainable. Concrete is typically readily available and consists of natural slabs.

This type of flooring is very durable, straightforward to clean, and usually does not need to be replaced. Its other benefits are improving air quality, reduction of waste, and lower heating bills.

Essentially, concrete flooring can improve your quality of living.

Cork Flooring

Cork is one of the newer choices of modern flooring, and it’s especially significant because it is one of the most environmentally friendly materials for your home floor.

Cork is sourced from the bark of the cork oak tree, which is in Mediterranean forests. Although they are harvested from the trees, it is not like other sources of hardwood, as there is no deforestation. The trees are not cut down. Instead, the bark is harvested, and it regrows typically once every three years. Ultimately, it is a highly renewable resource, which is why you should use cork flooring.

There are also many additional benefits for having cork as your flooring choice. It repels against common allergens due to its anti-microbial properties, it is easy to clean and maintain, and in fact, is fire retardant. It’s typically a neutral color. However, it can be stained and painted just like any other type of hardwood flooring.

Bamboo Flooring

Another popular choice for sustainable flooring, bamboo is a great option to replace traditional hardwood. The plant itself is a type of grass, but its durable characteristics mimic other types of wood.

Bamboo is highly sustainable, and just like the other options on this list, is relatively easy to maintain. The bamboo that is harvested comes from a plant that grows within three to five years. This is a much shorter time span than other hardwoods primary source.

It also grows very rapidly, so there isn’t an issue with its abundance. The material itself is lightweight and comes in an array of hues, meaning it can work for almost any interior design.

Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Traditional hardwood flooring is not considered eco-friendly because of the impact deforestation has on our ecosystem. However, if you source once-used wood, you’re doing a massive favor on the environment by not consuming wood that has been recently cut down from trees.

It can be somewhat tricky, however, to find reclaimed wood in good condition. Therefore, it may require additional work to buff the forest up to be used as flooring. But the impact that reclaimed wood can have on the style of a bedroom can be unique and beautiful.

Glass Tile Flooring

If you’re already recycling your glass bottles (which you should be!), you might be wondering what the materials are used for; they are recycled into glass tiles. Another renewable option that is becoming more and more popular, glass can come in a vast amount of colors, making them a limitless choice for decorating your space.

The material itself doesn’t absorb anything, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning stains or dealing with unpleasant smells. It is one of the easiest materials to clean.

Another benefit of using glass over traditional ceramic tiles is its characteristic of reflecting light. Unlike ceramic, glass will bounce off all sources of light, leading to it being an excellent option for lightening up a space.

Pick Any of These for your Home Flooring

With that, you now know the top 5 most eco-friendly flooring. It is important for us to be more eco-conscious nowadays and if you are choosing your flooring, do consider any of these 5.