Go Green: Your Guide to Natural, Renewable, and Recycled Flooring
Using natural materials in home design is far from a new trend, but it is having another moment in the spotlight. Natural materials add character and visually interesting textures, as well as a sense of authenticity to your home.
Homeowners are being inspired by nature in many ways, from a rise of the color green in interior design, to adding yet another plant to the windowsill, to patterns that mimic nature, and more.
Nature is rejuvenating and relaxing. It can help a place feel more tranquil and calming.
But that’s not the only benefit. Natural materials – particularly flooring materials, such as hardwood, wool, natural stone, and more – are also typically eco-friendly.
Using natural materials isn’t the only way you can live a greener lifestyle. There are other approaches as well, including using recycled materials for your floors, such as glass tile, polyester (PET) carpet, and reclaimed wood.
Modern Living Room Interior With Sofa, Armchairs, Dining Table And Plants
No matter your flooring needs, there is an eco-friendly material suited for your home. We, at Classic Flooring Center, can help you find the right material to match your style preference and your lifestyle needs. Learn more about some of our eco-friendly flooring products.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood is a natural product that is renewable, can easily be recycled, and is biodegradable, making it a sustainable flooring option when harvested responsibly. Plus, since hardwood has incredible longevity and can last a lifetime or longer with the right care, you don’t have to worry about creating waste by replacing it every couple of decades, as is the case with other flooring options. When it comes to choosing finishes, look for products with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) levels. Similar to wood are bamboo and cork flooring. Bamboo is a sustainable grass that matures in approximately three years. Cork is a renewable resource made from bark that leaves the tree undamaged. Reclaimed hardwood is another option that allows you to install hardwood floors in your home by reusing existing wood from trees that have already been harvested.
Carpet
There are a few ways you can install carpet in your home and help reduce your impact on the planet. One way is to choose a carpet made from wool. Wool is a natural and eco-friendly product that is nontoxic and will provide you incredible warmth and comfort, as well as durability. Wool is biodegradable and will break down quickly. Other natural materials carpet is made with include cotton and jute. Another carpet option is polyester (PET), which is made from recycled plastic bottles, reducing the impact of plastics on the environment.
Natural Stone & Tile
Natural stone flooring – or a backsplash or shower wall made from natural stone – is another eco-friendly option that also features a natural material in your space. Natural stone is timeless, beautiful, and durable, and with the right care it has incredible longevity thereby reducing waste. Natural stone materials that are sourced locally are more environmentally friendly than those that have to be shipped. Tile made from recycled glass is another great option for a green lifestyle since it reduces waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. But, even if your tile is not made of glass, it can be recycled when you dispose of it. When installing stone and tile look for products with low VOC levels to further reduce your environmental footprint.
Other Flooring
When it comes to other flooring products and other materials, manufacturers are taking more steps to produce more sustainable products. Today’s laminate, vinyl, and linoleum, as well as other carpet and tile materials, are made with more of a focus on being green. Manufactures are also taking steps to recycle more materials and practice sustainability.
If you want to take steps to reduce your impact on the environment with eco-friendly flooring products, we, at Classic Flooring Center, can help you find the right material for you. Each eco-friendly flooring comes in a wide selection of styles and performance levels so you will always find something to match your aesthetic and lifestyle, as well as your budget. Contact us or visit us today to begin your next flooring project!
