There are now more "green" options than ever before for flooring your home. These floors claim to help improve air quality for people with health conditions such as allergies and asthma.
Some of those products include recycled, renewable or natural materials that range from cork to bamboo.
Angie Hicks, of consumer group Angie’s List, says “Eco-friendly floors will vary depending on the type of cost, just as any type of flooring would. Depending on the quality you're getting the cost is going to align with that. As far as maintenance, many times the maintenance is similar to maintenance you do with regular flooring. So in your day-to-day activities, it's not going to require a lot more work from you.”))
Angie's List says here are just a few popular options:
1.) Wood options:
· Cork floors are made from the bark of living cork trees that aren’t harmed when the bark is harvested—it regenerates, actually absorbing more carbon than a cork tree that doesn’t have its bark harvested. Many cork floors are actually made from recycled “leftovers” from wine-stopper production and have a great textural look. It’s available in a variety of colors and styles, plus cork is also a good choice for helping eliminate extra sound and it retains warmth well, too.
· Bamboo floors are made from bamboo stems which can be harvested about every six years, making them a sustainable material to gather for flooring. They’re durable and resist humidity well, provided they had time to “cure” in the space they’re going to be laid for about three days prior to installation, and they’re stronger and less expensive than hardwood floors made from other woods.
2.) Tile options:
· Recycled glass tiles are made from at least 25 percent waste glass from windows, mirrors, bottles, jars and other post-consumer waste products, which are combined with minerals like clays and silica. They’re low-maintenance and come in a variety of sizes, colors and textures, just like non-recycled glass tiles. Old recycled glass tiles can even be recycled again and made into new recycled glass tiles, and production of recycled glass tiles can be produced using up to 50 percent less energy than other similarly-sized tiles.
· Some ceramic tiles are also being made with recycled glass and can have the look of stone or terra cotta tiles while keeping things green.
3.) Carpeting options:
· For carpeting, soft, eco-friendly fibers are more readily available to consumers than they have been in the past, but, as with most things, as the quality increases, so does the price tag.
· Wool carpet is a great option for both wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs. Wool carpet has no off-gassing and typically doesn’t use any chemicals, even on the backing, so it’s perfect for the chemically sensitive that also want something warm underfoot. Wool also wears well, and because they’re woven from a natural fiber it’s completely sustainable.
· Carpet tiles are a good idea for green families with small children. If a spill or stain occurs, simply pop the tile out and replace it with a new tile. Carpet tiles are available in both natural and synthetic fibers in several colors and styles.
Angie's List says here are a few things to consider before you invest in the popular products:
1.) Look:
· As far as colors and finishes go, there aren’t any major differences between green flooring and non-eco-friendly flooring. For some eco-friendly carpeting, the color is dyed into the chips that become the carpet yarn, which prevents fading over time.
2.) Feel:
· For carpeting, soft, eco-friendly fibers are more readily available to consumers than they have been in the past, but, as with most things, as the quality increases, so does the price tag.
3.) Cost:
· Wool carpeting is extremely eco-friendly, but comes with a higher price tag.
4.) Maintenance:
· Eco-friendly carpet requires the same attention as regular carpet. Weekly vacuuming and annual cleanings will help ensure your carpet has a long, eco-friendly, life.
· Wool carpet is not as stain resistant and man made fibers, so you must spot clean any spills as quickly as possible.
· Bamboo flooring is easy to keep clean due to its natural resistance to water, moisture and stains.
· Cork flooring requires slightly more care. Spills on a cork floor must be wiped immediately.
Hicks says, “Since eco-friendly flooring is a rather new trend, the important thing here is to find someone who is experienced in the type of flooring you are looking for because not everybody is going to know how to handle the particular type of materials. So if you are interested in bamboo or cork, finding someone with particular experience in that kind of flooring is the best route to go.”
Angie’s List offers these tips on buying green flooring/hiring an installation company:
· For homeowners interested in eco-friendly flooring, find a company that focuses on what is important to you and carries the products you are looking for.
· Ask relevant questions – where is the carpet shipping
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