6 Eco-Friendly Flooring Options For Any Home

These days, there are many different options for homeowners who want to make their home more environmentally friendly. Between smart thermostats and solar panels and dual-pane windows, there's an option fit for just about every lifestyle. However, green updates don't have to be smart or even involve technology to help the environment. Even choosing certain types of flooring can help make a home green. Keep reading to learn about eco-friendly flooring options that make your home more energy efficient.

The Benefits of Bamboo Flooring

Hardwood floors are beautiful and can add value to any home. Unfortunately, many of the most popular types of wood contribute to deforestation and other environment-harming practices. For homeowners who want the look of hardwood but without the negative impact, bamboo floors can be a good substitute. Unlike other trees that need to be at least 20 years old or more depending on the species in order to harvest, it only takes bamboo three to five years to reach maturity. This makes bamboo far more sustainable than traditional hardwood floors.

The Benefits of Cork Flooring

Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree, which can be removed without killing the tree itself and regrows approximately every three years. Because cork is tree bark, it isn't as durable as floors made from the actual wood of the tree, but it's an eco-friendly option that can look good in almost any home.

The Benefits of Glass Tile Flooring

Glass can be recycled over and over again, allowing it to serve numerous functions as jars, windows, and even floor tiles. Glass tile can be an especially good choice in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms that have the highest risk of spills and exposure to water. Because the tiles are made of glass, they're easy to clean. Homeowners interested in installing glass tiles should know that the tiles won't absorb light like other flooring options and will instead reflect light back up, which can reduce heating costs in the winter.

The Benefits of Linoleum Flooring

While linoleum flooring might not seem like the most obvious eco-friendly choice out there, it's actually made of natural materials like linseed oil, cork dust, and ground limestone among other renewable ingredients. Linoleum is water resistant and fire retardant like glass tiles, but cost a fraction of the price. Homeowners can purchase linoleum in just about any color or pattern imaginable, so it can fit easily in any sort of room. It's best used in rooms like kitchens or rooms that see a lot of use due to its durability.

The Benefits of Wool Carpet Flooring

Carpet is one of the most popular flooring options out there, but many people can't live with carpet because of its tendencies to hold in allergens. For people with allergies who love the look and feel of normal carpet, wool carpet can be a good substitute. Not only does wool carpet naturally repel dirt, but it's also fire resistant. Wool naturally grows on a variety of animals such as sheep and alpacas, and sheering is a completely harmless process that helps keep the animals healthy and happy.

The Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood is natural wood created by applying a solid hardwood veneer to a durable plywood core. One of the most significant benefits of engineered hardwood is that its unique construction is sustainable and eco-friendly. Additionally, the structure of engineered hardwood helps create an exotic look for less money than hardwoods from Brazil, Australia, and Mexico. Uses for engineered hardwood is very flexible, and it can be installed in basements and alternative places, such as a shed or greenhouse. The final benefit is that it costs less to install engineered hardwood than other similar woods.

Make Your House Eco-Friendly With These Flooring Options

These popular home improvements are just a few of the eco-friendly flooring options available to homeowners. For more information on other options, be sure to contact a local expert who can help recommend the right floor for every situation.