Eco-friendliness is the new buzzword for modern homes, and people are willing to take action to make their homes eco-friendly. People are eager to create extraordinary, energy-efficient homes that offer fantastic sustainability and cheaper energy bills.
Flooring is one of the most important home items that contributes to eco-friendliness. Your choice of materials will also contribute to your home’s eco-friendliness and reduce its impact on the environment. So, consider choosing the greenest flooring option.
For your convenience, here is a comprehensive list of eco-friendly flooring options. It was prepared by the top flooring contractors in LA.
What Flooring is the Most Environmentally Friendly
You will be disappointed if you are looking for the single most environmentally friendly flooring option. Factors such as transportation time, whether it has been salvaged, and whether it has come from a sustainable source all come into play in determining whether a flooring material can be called eco-friendly.
However, we can narrow it down to six major flooring options that are a good choice for an eco-friendly home.
1.Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly materials and is a popular choice among people around the world. Bamboo trees grow very quickly (three to five years to mature), whereas trees that produce hardwood floors may take decades to grow and mature.
Bamboo is as durable as hardwood and is visually appealing, with several textures, grains, and stains available.
However, bamboo’s main drawback is its location. Bamboo usually grows in tropical climates, and the transportation of this material can result in high carbon emissions.
The good news is that many small and large bamboo farms have grown over the years near Los Angeles. So, transportation costs are minimized, and bamboo is becoming the favorite eco-friendly flooring material among Los Angeles homeowners. Flooring contractors in LA would agree that bamboo is the best eco-friendly flooring option available today.
2.Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum was once considered outdated and associated with VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), harmful organic gases released into the atmosphere. However, modern Linoleum is built from natural, biodegradable materials, such as tree resin, linseed oil, and cork. In recent times, Linoleum has become the top favorite eco-friendly choice among homeowners because of its wide availability in different styles and finishes.
3.Cork Flooring
Cork has really started to gain popularity as a great eco-friendly flooring material. This is due to the way it is sourced. Removing the bark doesn’t harm the tree, and it continues growing with the bark restored in just a few years. This makes it one of the most sustainably sourced woods on the planet.
This material is not only very environmentally friendly but also offers a range of other benefits. Cork gives you a healthy home, as it naturally prevents the growth of mold, mites, and allergens that reduce air quality.
4.Eco-friendly Rubber Flooring
Sustainable rubber flooring is not only an excellent option for commercial spaces. It is highly flexible and can be beautifully molded and finished to look great on a residential property. Whether you choose organically sourced natural or recycled rubber, this material is not easily damaged and can stand the test of time.
5.Hardwood Flooring
Engineered, non-toxic Hardwood flooring is made from real, locally sourced wood, offering amazing durability. Manufacturers use as few trees as possible, minimizing wastage.
Engineered hardwood is made from plywood and finished with a veneer, so it has a strength comparable to solid wood. With an impressive, luxurious finish that is hard to rival, this material offers comparable strength and durability to solid wood with less environmental impact, according to major flooring contractors in LA.
6.Recycled and Salvaged Flooring
Recycled and salvaged flooring is eco-friendly in that it prevents many materials from being sent to landfills. It also offers a level of uniqueness that other materials can not match. The materials can include salvaged hardwood, glass tiles, or recycled plastic and rubber carpets.
Conclusion
Top flooring contractors in LA agree that the above materials are the best eco-friendly flooring options available for use in and around Los Angeles. While each of the above materials offers a level of eco-friendliness, all are sturdy and durable.
Choosing eco-friendly flooring materials is more important than ever, so having a few great options can turn the show on. Please select one of the above options and get unique and durable flooring for your home while reducing your carbon footprint and being gentle on Mother Earth.