Sustainable flooring or green flooring is one which conserves resources and helps prevent any unwanted climate changes. Today, green flooring has a number of options ranging from cork, bamboo to reclaimed wood. As compared to a the scenario a few years back, today the consumers have a lot more options of sustainable flooring. Green flooring has evolved and this has made the selection of such a flooring a challenging task for the homeowners. Green flooring is also manufactured with processes that do not cause pollution and using green products like adhesives and varnishes ensures healthy indoor air.
Finding the right green floor
While selecting a flooring, durability should be your first priority. As, any flooring that lasts long and looks good all through its lifetime can be considered green as it leads to lower trash. But a truly green flooring is one that has been made with sustainable processes and has no adverse effects on the atmosphere and the climate. Getting recommendations from friends, contractors, online reviews, home décor magazines and stores is greatly helpful in finding the right green flooring. Do not look for the cheapest options as they are not always the best. Saving some initial cost might make you land up in huge burden of maintenance cost.
The various options
Cork is a very popular green flooring option as it is made from the bark of a variety of oak tree and this process does no harm to the tree. Cork has minute pores in it which makes it cushiony and soft to walk on. It has insulating properties and also absorbs sound. Bamboo is another popular choice of sustainable flooring, though it is often considered to be wood but it is actually a type of grass which grows fast and does not require any fertilizers or pesticides. It is durable and also antimicrobial. Reclaimed wood is a preferred choice of many homeowners who like to have a rustic and beautiful look for their floor. Old barn boards can also be used to get a rich color.
Match it with your needs
When you look for a flooring you need to consider various factors and you need to understand your needs well. Green flooring is no exception and so while purchasing a green flooring you have to consider what your priorities are. If you are looking for good thermal insulation and sound absorption then cork is the best option for you. If you wish to have that rustic look for your room flooring then go for bamboo. You also need to consider the color and tone of your furniture and upholsteries or draperies to make sure that these don’t look out of place when you have installed your new flooring. Going for neutral shades is best if you are confused as to what color will go best with your already existing furniture.
A little research into the various options available and various stores in your locality will help you in making the right choice. Checkout the websites of the stores in your locality and see what options they have. Also make sure that the one who installs the flooring has material specific experience as every material requires specific handling and installing skills.
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