Every action we take has a direct reaction, and the consequences of our lifestyle choices are often dire planetary issues. It’s not too late, but part of fixing the problem is looking at how we are responsible and what we can do to change that behavior. When it comes to home building, the best way to make a switch is to use recycled and eco-friendly materials when possible. It sounds easier said than done, but let’s see which materials are friendly and which are harmful.
What Are the Most Eco-Friendly Floors?
Recycled Hardwood Flooring: The Earth’s Best Friend
One of the most eco-friendly flooring options, and one you are sure to find in Nashville, is recycled hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring itself is not very eco-friendly. For one thing, the creation process involves cutting down millions of trees every year. These trees don’t grow back every year, so unless the company is committed to replanting a new tree for every one it cuts down (and many of them are), you’re left with a negative result. Luckily hardwood flooring has the longest lifespan of any of the common flooring materials. Instead of buying something new, just recycle the old. Reused hardwood flooring can be sanded down, refinished and repainted to look brand new, if that’s the look you’re going for. One of the overlooked benefits of using recycled hardwood flooring is the aesthetic of legacy and history it will bring to your home as well. Since it is recycled, the material can be found for a cheaper price than new product, too.
Cork Flooring: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Cork is related to hardwood flooring because it is harvested from a tree. But that’s where the similarities end. For one thing, cork flooring falls under the umbrella of soft flooring, which includes materials such as linoleum and vinyl flooring, as well as carpet. Additionally, cork flooring is harvested by drilling into the core of the tree, not by cutting down. The tree heals naturally over time, and more cork will be harvested from it later. If properly maintained, cork flooring can last up to 30 years. It is one of the best flooring options for keeping allergies under control, is fire retardant, and can be styled to look like many other flooring options. Cork flooring is also one of the cheapest options available.
Linoleum Flooring: Man-Made, Nature-Approved
Linoleum flooring conjures images of kitchens from years past. That might scare away some, but they would miss out on one of the best all-around flooring materials on the market. The main selling point of linoleum flooring is its versatility. It can look like anything from hardwood flooring to ceramic tiles and more. It handles water and moisture better than any of the other materials, and it is soft underfoot. Beyond all that, however, it is incredibly eco-friendly, since it is made from a mix of natural ingredients such as linseed oil, cork, tree resin and more. Linoleum flooring is also found at the bottom of the price range, making it a bargain.
In these modern times being eco-friendly can be a real hassle. It doesn’t have to be that way though, since materials such as recycled hardwood flooring, linoleum flooring and cork flooring are both eco-friendly and affordable. But if none of those options sound appealing, the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey will be sure to find something that meets your needs.
