With the emphasis on using ecologically friendly and sustainable products, you may well want to use these types of products for your flooring. What you may not know is that taking this action may also preserve your health.
Many flooring materials, such as carpet, floor finishes, moisture-repellent carpet treatments, and even the process of refinishing wood floors can give off chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. This process is known as “off-gassing.” This is why new carpets often have a distinct, and perhaps strong, smell that can last for weeks. These VOCs include such chemicals as formaldehyde and benzene, some of which are known carcinogens. Breathing in these chemicals can be hazardous, especially if your home is not well ventilated. Worse, some of these chemicals can be given off for years, even if you don’t detect the smell.
Fortunately, in recent years manufacturers have turned an eye towards producing flooring without these dangers and those that are sustainably sourced. There is now a surprising number of such flooring options available.
Carpet: Look for carpets and rugs made from natural fibers without chemical treatments. Also, seek out those with natural-fiber backing and less harmful adhesives. Carpet padding is also available made from recycled cotton materials instead of petroleum-based plastics.
Hardwood Flooring: The Forest Stewardship Council now certifies wood flooring as coming from sustainable woods in a great variety of shades and styles. Look for flooring that is FSC certified.
Bamboo Flooring: Bamboo has become popular as a green option. It grows quickly, allowing for plenty of replenishment. It’s actually 27 percent harder than some types of oak and 13 percent harder than maple, so it is great for withstanding the beating that kids and pets can dish out. The flooring is also naturally resistant to insects, moisture, and mildew and so does not need treatment for these things.
Tile: Stone tile, of course, is a perfectly natural material and doesn’t require much in the way of resources to produce. Think about a kitchen or bath floored with recycled glass tiles. The assortments of colors available are sure to be a focal point in any home while helping environmental concerns.
Cork: Cork is harvested from the cork tree’s inner bark. The same tree can be used for up to 250 years, making cork a very sustainable flooring product. Additionally, cork flooring is actually made from recycled cork leftover from wine cork manufacturing. Cork provides excellent sound and temperature insulation, is resistant to fire and insects, and is easy on your feet.
Finding eco friendly flooring options gets easier every day. Look into the possibilities at your local supplier. You may be pleasantly surprised at the assortment of choices available.