The whole world is becoming much more concerned with sustainability and being environmentally friendly. There are many ways we can each play our part in this, from where we shop to what we buy and use in our homes. Every one of us uses flooring of some kind in our homes, from wood to carpet or bamboo, and big advances have been made by many companies in making flooring more friendly to the environment.
What is the difference between sustainable and environmentally friendly?
Sustainable means taking something that can be maintained without depleting natural resources. Environmentally friendly (or earth friendly) means anything that does not harm the environment. Overall, these terms refers to products that contribute to green 
living, do not cause pollution, like air and water pollution, and practices that help to conserve essential resources such as energy and water. There is no precise definition for either, they are fairly broad, but both are taken from the same concept.
When a brand uses either or both of these terms, they are making recycled products, promoting recycling, taking from renewable sources or using renewable energy in their manufacturing process. The majority, if not all, products should be non-toxic where these terms are used.
There are official labels that let you know when a brand is sustainable and eco-friendly, like Certified Sustainable and Green Accord. DEFRA have produced a shopper’s guide to green labels which you can find here…
Why is it important to have environmentally friendly flooring?
We all want to leave a better world to our children and we need to act now to preserve the natural resources that we have left and, limit
pollution. In buying environmentally friendly flooring, your are doing your bit by spending with a company that has publicly committed to using both sustainable practices and materials. This will significantly enhance your environmental responsibility.
Sustainable products are, by definition, ones that are high quality and built to last. By investing in your flooring at the outset, it will last in your home for much, much longer.
It also benefits your family immediately, as little to no toxic chemicals are used to produce environmentally friendly flooring, therefore it gives you a healthier living environment. This is better for everyone, especially if you have young children or allergy sufferers in your home.
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Which flooring is the most environmentally friendly?
There are many types of flooring available these days which is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Many types of carpet fit the bill, as they are made of wool, other natural fibres or recycled materials, by companies that are using sustainable processes during manufacturing. Reclaimed wood is a great choice (Ted Todd offer a range of ethically sourced reclaimed wood including oak and pine), or engineered hardwood, from a manufacturer that uses sustainable wood (ie FSC certified) and practices. Linoleum, bamboo and cork are other examples of flooring materials that are both biodegradable and recyclable.
Many manufacturers now put environmental concerns at the forefront of their business models. For example, Hammer Carpets are committed to using materials that aid a healthy life cycle, causing no harm to either people or the environment. They use only renewable energy from offshore wind farms to power their factories. During the manufacturing process, they recover excess heat and energy which is then used to heat municipal buildings in the vicinity. The carpet tubes they use to deliver their carpets are all made of recycled polypropylene. In addition, all the waste water that is produced by the manufacturing process is made drinkable before it is disposed of, so it does not cause any pollution. In 2017, Hammer Carpets became environmentally certified in accordance with ISO 14001, proving they put the effort in to achieve environmental certification and continuously maintain it.
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Many other manufacturers such as Alternative Flooring and Axminster Carpets also have sustainable, environmentally responsible policies and end of life options for carpet. Miliken is another company that has these policies and also has the Miliken Carpet Take Back programme; they will reclaim used residential and/or commercial carpets. It is then either recycled into new carpets and donated to the voluntary sector, or turned into another product. Miliken is a founder member of Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK).
Herts Carpets work with all the above manufacturers and stock a wide range of flooring that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Contact us here to book a free estimate with our friendly and professional Herts Carpets team today!
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For flooring to be pet friendly, it needs to be scratch resistant to stand up to those paws walking on it all day, and cats that like to claw a lot. Stain and moisture resistance is so important for those inevitable accidents, especially when you have a puppy in the house.
this especially if your pets are alone during the day. Another advantage is that is has great acoustics, so it reduces the sound from paws and it has a softness underfoot for them. See picture on the right for Poppy the Cavapoo enjoying her Amtico Spacia LVT flooring.
There are a few things you can do in combination with choosing a pet friendly option to make your flooring last longer. Make sure you clip your dog’s nails regularly so they are less likely to leave scratches.
care homes and schools all require this type of flooring. It is also used in universities, leisure facilities such as gyms and bars, schools and toilets. External areas can also benefit from safety flooring.
(and tested) to minimise the risk of injury in environments where spills are common.
existing design scheme. A variety of finishes, such as marble and wood imitation, are available in an extensive range of colours.
You don’t need to break the bank to have flooring that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Vinyl is always a popular choice, as it is durable and low maintenance as well as low cost. The protective top layer resists stains as well as scratches and dents, which is ideal for swivel chairs.
actual hardwood. For a home office in an area that fluctuates in temperate, engineered wood is a smart option as it more stable and can withstand the changes better than real wood.
any home office, it has superior acoustics and excellent soundproofing qualities. Other advantages are that it is easy to maintain, slip and spill resistant. This robust, tough flooring will stand the test of time while maintaining that luxurious look.
this classic look with its beautiful and natural warmth.
any DIY store if you don’t have them at home. You can make life easier by hiring power tools; they’re a good idea if you are working on a larger area like a kitchen.
out of the room where possible or if not, cover it very well with dust sheets. If the floor is in the bathroom, cover the bathtub, sink and toilet. Using cardboard underneath the dust sheets gives them another layer of protection from tile shards.
on a large room, you may want to hire power tools to make this easier and quicker, like a grout saw or rotary tool.
It’s always best to have your carpet properly installed by 
with some paper towels or a cloth to soak up as much of the liquid or food as possible. Only use white paper towels as patterned ones may leave some colour transfer on the carpet.
are easy to buy online or in shops. They spread the weight which means less pressure on the carpet.
A wide range of high-quality finishes are available, from striking designs to realistic wood and stone imitations. Not only is it much more budget friendly than a natural material like stone, it is much warmer and works well with underfloor heating, as it heats up and cools down fast. It is temperature restricted though, so should not be heated above 26°C.
your lounge leads to the conservatory, having the same carpet in both rooms looks stunning and gives a great flow to the space. Some brands offer stain and UV resistant ranges which are perfect for this area.
contract due to the temperatures in this area, which can result in a damaged floor. UV laquer will add protection, but engineered wood is much better suited to the environment. It is more stable and able to cope with differing temperatures.