Making green choices can seem overwhelming, especially with the growing options for eco-friendly products. To help you determine which products are right for you and your home, here are some popular flooring options.
1. Wood Flooring
When it comes to eco-friendly flooring materials, wood is undeniably still
the leading choice. It is a timeless, warm and versatile material that adds
value to your home. One option is to use laminated wood with recycled wood
fibers. This usually comes with 90 percent recycled wood fibers and 100 percent
recycled polyethylene for its underlayment, which will reduce heat transfer
between kitchen and basements. Another eco-friendly option is to use reclaimed
wood.
Why is wood flooring sustainable?
Wood comes from a renewable source, assuming there is sustainable management of forests and plantations.
Almost no waste is produced since dust, bark and trims are gathered to fuel wood production facilities.
Compared to concrete and steel, wood requires less energy to produce.
2. Bamboo Flooring
Certified as a sustainable material, bamboo is a highly recommended material
for your eco-friendly kitchen floors. Bamboo is denser than oak, and laminated
bamboo floors won't warp or expand easily. This eliminates the creaking sound
that occurs when wood floor planks compress. Bamboo's distinctive appeal,
tightness of grain and uniformity of color create a desirable and flexible
material for any kitchen style. Being moisture resistant and durable makes it an
even more workable material for kitchens.
If you love warm shades of brown, then bamboo flooring is a great choice as it comes either in its natural light color or in a darker honey-brown color. Honey-colored bamboo flooring has undergone carbonization, during which the material is subjected to steam and pressure, causing the fibers to darken. The darker the shade of bamboo, the longer it has been subjected to carbonization.
Why is bamboo flooring sustainable?
Bamboo comes from a renewable source and can be grown and harvested faster compared to hardwood.
It does not need fertilizers or pesticides to grow as it is naturally resistant to mildew and insects. This attribute is also seen even after bamboo is made into planks.
3. Cork Flooring
Cork is one of the most comfortable and beautiful materials for floorings. Although it may not be a glamorous option, it can be manufactured to simulate hardwood floors. If you're looking for a low maintenance type of eco-friendly kitchen flooring, cork is a perfect fit.The material can also be made into a variety of colors to mix and match. Plus it's a healthy option for your kitchens for its anti-microbial, anti-fungal and hypoallergenic properties.
Why is cork flooring sustainable?
As a softwood material from the cork oak tree, it is harvested without cutting the tree down.
You do not need regular adhesives or nails when installing cork flooring.
Cork flooring is usually from recycled cork, and the flooring itself can be reused or recycled.
Other Eco-Friendly Flooring Options
Other options to consider are natural stone, linoleum and tiles. Recycled, reclaimed or salvaged stone or wood are also good picks. Innovative and high-tech floors are also great options to look at. Switching to eco-friendly kitchen floors can be an easy and cost-effective choice - all you have to lose are the pollutants.
Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty Brokerage
519-495-1541
richard@thyssengroup.com
www.thyssengroup.com
Do you know if there is a way to make urethane flooring simulate wood? It's the only practical option for the food service industry, as other materials can't repel moisture and bacteria nearly as efficiently, but I love the look of wood flooring.
ReplyDelete