Eco-friendly flooring

What does eco-friendly mean?

Eco-friendly means that a product or process is not harmful to the environment, it is ‘earth friendly’.  In most cases, this refers to products that contribute to green living, prevent contributions to pollution, like air and water pollution, and practices that help to conserve essential resources such as energy and water.  In order to be completely eco-friendly, a product must be non-toxic, with sustainable practices, fibres and/or ingredients used and both environmental and human safety should be taken into consideration.  Many people are becoming increasing concerned with environmental issues and are looking to make their homes more eco-friendly.

What flooring is eco-friendly?

When it comes to flooring, you need to bear in mind two main factors; what is is made from and how was it made?  Here are some of the options available.

Wood

Wood is an eco-friendly flooring option because it is natural and also because it is long lasting and recyclable.  Choose a manufacturer that uses 100% sustainably sourced wood.  FSC certified wood comes from forests that are environmentally conscious, responsibly managed and socially beneficial.  Most new wood floors from Ted Todd are FSC or PEFC certified, and they have been FSC compliant since 1997.

Reclaimed wood

Wood that has been used as flooring or in structures like historical buildings, can be repurposed to make beautiful, environmentally friendly flooring.  It is both reusing an old product and preventing the need to cut down more trees.  As the wood has been used previously, it has a tight grain which makes it more durable and hard-wearing.  Ted Todd offer a range of ethically sourced reclaimed wood including oak and pine.

Engineered hardwood

Engineered hardwood can be a great eco-friendly choice, from a manufacturer that uses sustainable wood (ie FSC certified) and practices. It is constructed of mostly high-quality plywood, with a top layer of solid wood.  This means less waste during the manufacturing process, which is very efficient.  It is more versatile and stable than hardwood flooring and can be used with underfloor heating.   Plus it has a very natural finish and conducts heat well, reducing the energy you need to heat your home.

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Bamboo

This is a tough, durable option that has a realistic wood finish, although bamboo is actually a grass rather than a tree.  It has a much faster growth rate than trees so is a very sustainable option (3-5 years as opposed to 25-125 with hardwood).

Bamboo is extremely versatile, suitable for most areas of the home, including the kitchen.  Another plus is that bamboo has natural anti-bacterial qualities, great for family homes.  Alternative Flooring use bamboo in their collection as well as other natural fibres like coir, which give a rustic look that is very on-trend.  They use products from sustainable natural resources.

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Linoleum

Linoleum is made from natural materials; linseed oil, which is combined with resins and wood fillers to make tiles.  It is both biodegradable and recyclable. Also anti-static and hypoallergenic, linoleum is a great choice for eco-friendly flooring.  Added benefits are its fire-retardant and stain-resistant qualities.  It is durable and versatile, suitable for use in high footfall areas like hallways and kitchens.

Though it has not been an on-trend flooring for many years now, it is making somewhat of a comeback due to its green qualities and there are a range of modern designs available, with wood, ceramic and stone looks and a variety of patterns.  These days, linoleum can be a stylish and affordable choice in green flooring.

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Cork

This hard-wearing option is both biodegradable and recyclable. Cork is made out of the bark of the tree; initially a cork tree takes 25 years to mature then can be harvested every 14 years, making it a very renewable resource. Recycled cork floors are also available and can be made using the cork from wine bottles.

Cork is also warm and soft underfoot, anti-bacterial and fire resistant. This durable flooring is an excellent sound and thermal insulator and it is both dirt and mold-resistant.  Though it can be dented it has elasticity, so is springy and will return to form.

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Eco-friendly carpets

Although carpet has not traditionally been seen as eco-friendly, there are now many manufacturers that use sustainable materials and practices.  When choosing a carpet that does not damage the environment, wool and other fibres such as bamboo, seagrass, jute, organic cotton and sisal are great options.  You can still have a soft, luxury carpet that is not harmful to the environment.

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Many manufacturers such as Alternative Flooring, Miliken and Axminster Carpets have sustainable, environmentally responsible policies and end of life options for carpet.

Another alternative is recycled carpet.  This is manufactured from pre- and post- consumer plastics.  PET carpet is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.

For our guide to eco-friendly carpets, see here…

Whatever you’re looking to achieve in your home, we can help with all your flooring and carpet needs. Contact us here or book a free estimate with our friendly and professional Herts Carpets team today!

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