Eco-flooring continues to be ever more popular for today's designers and homeowners. Here are the top three Eco-friendly flooring products in use today.
Cork
Cork has a beautiful smooth grain pattern and feels cushioned and warm underfoot. It’s been used on wall panels, and designers recognized its suitability for flooring. Cork has some unusual properties. It’s hypoallergenic, fire and water resistant, a natural sound absorbent and insect resistant.
The cork comes from the cork oak tree and is sustainably harvested from the bark without felling the tree, which is great for the environment.
Cork flooring is a beautiful, lightweight and Eco-friendly solution for your family, lasting as long as 30 years. It’s available in rolls or tiles, with a click, floating or glue-down installation. A floating cork floor requires a moisture barrier underneath.
The cork’s honeycomb structure makes it shock-absorptive, thus it handles years of wear and tear. Cork can be painted or stained like hardwood, which means it complements any decor. Provided it is resealed every five years, it won’t rot and is easily maintained. Just vacuum and wipe clean with a damp mop once or twice a week.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a grass with the rugged, durable characteristics of hardwood. This sustainable vegetation grows to maturity within three to five years. So unlike traditional tree sources like oak, cherry, and maple, it doesn't have to be cultivated for 20 or more years before harvesting.
Bamboo usually comes strand woven and can be left in its natural color or stained. There are many different kinds of grain, which produce a tremendous array of colors and shades ranging from blondes, through reds, dark browns, and white-washed to fit every decor.
Bamboo flooring is non-toxic and free of the formaldehyde and VOCs that can cause respiratory problems.
Bamboo planks come in many sizes and can be nailed, glued or floated into position on top of a sub-floor. For DIY'ers, planks are available, supplied with glueless click or tongue and groove profiles for easy installation.
Linoleum
Natural linoleum is making a comeback after 70 years as one of the best Eco-friendly flooring solutions around. Linoleum is produced from a recipe of solidified linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour, ground cork dust, and limestone.
Unlike the vinyl, which replaced it in the 1940s, there are no toxic chlorinated derivatives of petroleum oil in linoleum. It's 100% safe and natural, as well as an antimicrobial. Even better, it's also fire and water repellent. Linoleum is exceptionally durable and resistant to the bumps of daily life. When sealed well, it can be easily wiped clean to prevent stains.
There are more than 100 lively colors to select from, meaning linoleum can be applied in many interior installations and complement many types of decors. Buy linoleum either with glue-down sheets or tiles. For even easier installation and maintenance, float and click linoleum sheets are also available.
Conclusion
These Eco-friendly flooring options are the best green material solutions on the market today, composed of finishes free of toxins and kind to the environment, durable and easy to clean, while looking beautiful for years to come.
