A lot of people are going green to help save the planet and create better living conditions for their children. One of the ways to help do your part is with eco-friendly sustainable flooring options.

In the past, eco-friendly flooring options may have been seen as boring, sterile floors made out of bland materials. That is no longer the case.

According to Freshome:

As more and more designers are seeking out eco-friendly materials for their environmentechally savvy clients, manufacturers have stepped up and given the design world many beautiful options to pick from.

Now there are eco-friendly sustainable flooring options that look desirable, are design savvy, and cost effective.

Here are a few of the top choices, what makes them green, and some of the pros and cons. Each of these flooring types give you a lot of options in making it work with your personal aesthetic.

Ceramic, Glass, and Porcelain Flooring

All these types of flooring are sustainable. According to Home Advisor:

In fact, ceramic, glass, and porcelain flooring tiles are green to start with. This is because they are moisture resistant, long lasting, and manufactured greener. This is when compared to many other flooring options. Furthermore, they offer homeowners many easy options for turning them even greener. Last but not least, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile flooring options allow you to go green without placing a big strain on your budget.

The reason that ceramic tile (and other similar flooring) is organic is because of the natural ingredients used. For instance, ceramic tile uses sand, clay, feldspar, water, and quartz. No volatile compounds or other chemicals are added to create ceramic tile flooring. And some brands even use recycled tile to make it even more sustainable of a product.

Glass flooring uses recycled crushed glass. Porcelain flooring is green because it does not contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). It is low maintenance and has a long life cycle.

All of these choices have durability and can last for decades when treated right. So, not only do you get a flooring choice that is made naturally, but some are even made from recycled products as well. This is like a double shot of sustainability and eco-friendly production.

# Cork Flooring

If you are looking for a flooring in Phoenix Arizona option that comes from a renewable resource, cork is the perfect choice. The reason is that the materials harvested are from a tree found in the Mediterranean called the cork oak tree. What makes it so sustainable is that these trees are not cut down. Instead, when harvesting the bark, it grows back every three years.

Some may be under the impression that cork is a relatively new type of surface. When in all actuality, this is not true at all. Cork has been used for hundreds of years to make things like food storage, sandal soles, and fishing net floats. The Library of Congress in Washington, DC is a place that has cork and it has been there for decades.

Today, cork flooring is created from the post-industrial by-product of the bottle-stopper industry. How it is made is by grinding up waste material and forming it into sheets. Very little adhesive is used to bind the particles together with high pressure.

The size, quantity, and type of cork granule in conjunction with varying degrees of pressure make the difference between suitable flooring applications versus the cork you find on bulletin boards. Same concept but varying degrees of amount, size, and type, as mentioned.

Not only is cork flooring a green living choice, it also has a lot of benefits too. It’s a natural insect repellent and reduces allergens in the home with its anti-microbial properties. It is also easy to take care of. Cork durable and can last from 10-30 years depending on the care you give it. And like wood, paint or stain it any color to match your decor.

Specific Hardwood Flooring Choices

While traditional hardwood isn’t considered sustainable, reclaimed hardwood is. You can also choose salvaged wood flooring as a sustainable option. While these are flooring choices you may not be able to find as easily, one option for those who specifically want hardwood flooring in Phoenix, Arizona is FSC certified.

This is a designation by the Forest Stewardship Council and they promote the responsible management of forests throughout the world with a focus on adhering to high social and environmental standards.

With these choices, you still have the hardwood you want, without resorting to choices that are not as green as you would like.

And keep in mind that hardwood flooring in Phoenix, Arizona is an popular choice in flooring. While regular hardwood isn’t what you would consider as being a green choice, these flooring choices give you options that have the best of both worlds.

# Linoleum Flooring

You wouldn’t think that linoleum is friendly to the environment, but it is. Linoleum was popular until the 1940s when vinyl flooring was introduced. What makes linoleum a green choice is its composition. Linoleum is constructed out of natural ingredients such as tree resins, cork dust, linseed oil, ground limestone, wood flour, and pigments.

You may have seen linoleum of the past in a variety of outdated styles but that is no longer the case at all. Now that it is somewhat popular again, manufacturers have made it available in more choices of colors and styles.

Linoleum also has staying power and will last for years with proper care. The sealers that are available protect it from staining so the care is easier than before.

# Concrete Flooring

Does concrete make you think of a parking garage or workshop? Well, things have changed and polished concrete is the perfect sustainable choice.

As Stated at HGTV:

Concrete floors in Phoenix, Arizona are extremely durable and easy to clean, and they resist water when properly sealed. Concrete works well with radiant heating, and the surface absorbs heat to cut energy bills.

The great thing is that they do not need replacement. You can use a variety of stains, colors, dyes, colored hardeners, and aggregates to make it look exactly how you want it. Some even give their concrete floors a glass look to make it especially appealing.

That is one of the major pros when it comes to concrete flooring. The design choices are endless. From dyes that give earthy colors and surface treatments for unique finishes to using stencils to stamp out designs-concrete has a lot of leeway in creating a different look. You can even mimic the look of brick, natural stone, ceramic tile, and dirt.

The maintenance is low and there are perks such as being able to use radiant heat for heated floors.

# Wool Carpet

While carpet flooring in Phoenix, Arizona has always been a popular choice for home flooring, some carpets of the past used inorganic compounds and toxins that were harmful. This has changed over the years. One type of carpet flooring in Phoenix, Arizona that is on the list of green products is wool carpet flooring in Phoenix, Arizona.

Wool is a natural resource and is spun from the cut hair of sheep or llamas from New Zealand. This spun thread is dyed with any color that is possible and then made into carpeting. Wool carpet flooring in Phoenix, Arizona is very durable and can last for decades. In fact, some wool rugs have been passed on to heirs as family heirlooms.

Wool is also resistant to soiling, moisture, static, and fire, and has been shown to be less hospitable to dust mites than synthetic fibers, while trapping pollutants and keeping them out of the air for decades.

Wool isn’t the only sustainable choice when it comes to carpet. In fact, choose cotton, jute, and sisal for other natural carpeting choices.

Carpet Padding Alternatives

Even the very pad that you use has green options.

As Mentioned in Green Living Ideas:

Carpet pad made from recycled nylon carpets is also available. If these eco-friendly materials are tacked down instead of glued, the carpet installation process is considerably greener, while the carpet retains its look and its soft, sound-absorbing qualities.

P.E.T. Berber Carpet

Along with wool, cotton, jute, and sisal-P.E.T. berber carpet is an option for those who want eco-friendly carpeting. This is polyester berber and it is created out of recycled plastic bottles.

According to The Spruce:

Typically, the Berber fleck was found most often in looped styles of carpeting, and the term Berber began to be associated with looped carpet. As looped styles became more popular, the color choices became more varied, so that instead of being offered only in flecked or multi-colors, looped carpet came to be available in solid colors as well. However, the name Berber stuck, and so today the name most commonly refers to the looped style and not the color.

There are advantages and disadvantages to berber carpeting, just like with any form of flooring. One of the advantages is the cost. Usually, berber carpeting is less expensive than many other carpeting choices and cheaper than some of the other flooring options such as hardwood.

Another advantage is that there are flecks of color choices making it suitable for an array of home decor choices. It is also durable and spill resistant. The disadvantage is that it can snag due to the way it is looped.

When choosing berber carpet, you will get a longer lasting floor if you go with a more expensive choice. You can get cheaper berber carpet but if you want a carpet that is more durable, less prone to snags, and will last longer-at least get a mid-range version. In this case, price does matter and the more expensive berber will last you the longest in the long run.

# Rubber Floors

If you have been to the gym lately or a playground then you have seen (or felt) a rubber floor. While this seems like something that should remain in those places instead of your home, think again. Rubber flooring has become quite popular for areas such as kitchens, sun rooms, and bathrooms. This is because it is a hardy material, it is water resistant, and it feels comfortable to walk on.

Rubber flooring is easy to maintain and like we mentioned earlier, it is durable. There are a few things that can damage it such as oil, grease, acetone, and turpentine. You should also avoid using cleaners that are abrasive; water and soap are ideal for cleaning a rubber floor.

There are different types of rubber flooring options such as rubber tiles, rubber sheeting, natural rubber made from rubber tree sap, and recycled rubber made from automobile tires. There is another kind, which is synthetic rubber but it is not a natural product.

# Leather Flooring

This may seem like an odd choice but leather flooring is not the same as the leather using in clothing. Instead, it is thicker and created from the center part of cowhide.

While it is not a good option for floors that get wet (kitchens or bathrooms) it is ideal for bedrooms, closets, and areas with little foot traffic. Leather flooring wears well and is quite durable.

One of the unique aspects is that it will have its own personality by becoming aged. Each little scratch and worn area adds to its unique look and doesn’t take away from the appeal.

Let Us Help You Choose

Over the years as the population has taken notice of the need for renewable resources. Flooring is part of the equation where you can help create a greener lifestyle. Let us help you choose the green flooring option perfect for your home.

Healthy Home Flooring prides itself on delivering the best in-home sales shopping experience. We are an in-home sales company and we do not sell at our location.

Our professionally trained design consultants bring large flooring samples to the home of the customer. And we only use licensed contractors. We make installation easy so you don’t have to shop around for the materials you need. There is also no need to worry about hiring independent contractors who can take a long time to do the work.

Call us anytime to schedule an in-home appointment and start making your home more beautiful right away! You may even qualify for a Vacation Voucher with the purchase of flooring and installation!