The Best Eco-Friendly Flooring Options

If your ideal home is built with sustainable, non-toxic, and recycled or reclaimed materials, then eco-friendly flooring is definitely for you. From sustainably harvested wood to simply choosing an economical carpet, the following guide will consider a few of your potential options.

Cork

Although you might only be familiar with the corks on a wine bottle or push pin board, cork is becoming an increasingly popular flooring solution. Don't worry though, flooring cork is nowhere near as soft and pliable as commercially used options. Cork is a perfect renewable source because the tree it is harvested from, a cork oak tree in the Mediterranean, is not cut down and the bark will grow back. Cork floors can also last for quite a while and may be durable enough to stay in your home for 20 to 30 years.

Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is another sustainable option. Because the bamboo plant grows to its full height in three years, it is much easier to replace than larger trees that can take decades. The material comes in a variety of colours and is impressively water resistant and flame retardant — making it a great choice for families with children! Bamboo is just one option similar to timber flooring that can be utilized.

Tile or Linoleum

Although you make think linoleum is an aged, low-quality flooring solution, new styles, higher-quality options and durable variations have made sure that linoleum is no longer a floor of the past. Tile can be used in similar patterns, and both are easily recyclable. As an added bonus, linoleum and tile can be hypoallergenic and biodegradable.

Carpeting Options

If you don't think a wood or tile floor is right for your home, never fear. Carpet is still one of the most popular flooring materials and probably the most comfortable. Before getting too excited, it is important to check where your carpeting material was sourced from and the ingredients it contains. Toxins or harmful chemicals have long been used in carpet production, and it is best to leave those out of your home.

To avoid these compounds, look for carpets made of wool — a naturally grown material spun into usable threads. Its durability means wool carpeting can last for centuries and is a perfect flooring idea for almost anyone.

A unique carpeting idea is polyester berber (P.E.T.). It is newer to the market and is actually made of recycled plastic bottles, making it the most sustainable and eco-friendly version on this list. This material is also stain-resistant and can add that designer's touch to any living or bedroom.