19 April 2022

What is the most environmentally friendly flooring?

These days, most of us are trying to make more eco-friendly life choices and reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. From the foods we eat to the cars we drive, we all want to play our part in the fight against climate change.

Look around your home, and you’ll see plenty of examples of where you can make greener choices. In fact, there’s one right at your feet – your flooring.

In this article, we’re looking at flooring options in terms of sustainability, energy efficiency and recyclability to help you make greener choices for your home.

Sustainable flooring

To find a truly sustainable flooring product, you need to dig deep into each step of the manufacturing process. You need to understand the entire product lifecycle, from the raw materials used right through to what happens at the end of the product’s life.

Where does your chosen flooring manufacturer source their raw materials? Are they renewable? Do they use eco-friendly production and shipping methods? How energy-efficient is their manufacturing process? Have they got initiatives in place to reduce or offset their carbon emissions?

Next, think about the product’s lifespan. For instance, if your flooring has an expected life of twenty years or more, it could be a much greener option than one that needs replacing every five years.

Of course, that will also depend on whether the product can be recycled or reused at the end of its life or whether it will end up in a landfill site.

Energy-efficient flooring

Rising energy bills are a hot topic right now and will be a key consideration for anyone renovating their home. Your flooring itself won’t generate heat, but it can certainly do a lot to retain it, and some coverings are better than others at doing so.

Carpet, for example, is known for its insulating properties and is great for keeping rooms feeling cosy. If you prefer a hard floor covering, engineered wood is a good option, with multiple layers (and typically a thick foam underlay) preventing heat from escaping quickly.

Underfloor heating has become extremely popular in recent years, and if it’s something you’re considering, you’ll need to think carefully about your floor covering. Tiles can be a great conductor of heat and work well with underfloor heating. However, most flooring types can be used with underfloor heating – you’ll just need to find the most suitable for your system.

Underlay can also provide extra insulation and shouldn’t be overlooked when choosing your new floor.

Recycled and recyclable flooring

Most consumers understand that buying recycled products reduces the colossal amount of waste heading to landfills. Flooring manufacturers are very much in on the act, with more recycled flooring solutions coming to the market every year – great news for the green-conscious consumer.

An increasing number of vinyl and LVT products are made from 100% recycled materials, some engineered hardwood consists of layers of recycled plywood, and polyethylene carpet is made from pre-used plastics.

When it comes to disposing of your floor at the end of its life, there are some options here too. If it is still in good condition, people will buy second-hand laminate, vinyl, tiles and carpet to save on cost. If they aren’t using it for their floor, they might use offcuts for various upcycle projects. Most wood flooring can be reused or repurposed.

Some flooring options (cork, for example) are biodegradable or recyclable, so look for these options when you’re buying.

Is there a truly eco-friendly flooring option?

It’s difficult to find a truly eco-friendly flooring option as there are so many factors to consider. However, some flooring options are certainly more eco-friendly than others.

Cork

Cork ticks all the boxes for being both cost-friendly and eco-friendly. It’s made from tree bark, so trees are rarely cut down to make it. Cork also has excellent natural thermal properties and works well to insulate your room, making it an energy-efficient choice. As a bonus, it also works well in preserving air quality, acting as a repellent against mould and other allergens. Plus, it can be recycled again and again, and it’s completely biodegradable, making it a very eco-friendly choice.

Bamboo

Another eco-friendly option is bamboo flooring. Bamboo grows abundantly and quickly, taking years instead of decades to mature. And strand-woven bamboo flooring is highly durable so it lasts for a long time once laid. If you do opt for bamboo flooring, do some research into how the manufacturer sources their materials. Unfortunately, some farmers cut down natural forest to grow bamboo, destroying ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Make sure you choose bamboo that is ethically sourced.

Engineered hardwood

If you want flooring that is kind to the environment, low on cost and comes in a wide choice of colours and styles, consider engineered hardwood. Made from wood derivatives, it uses much less of a tree in its production than natural wooden flooring.

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles have a long lifespan, lasting fifty years on average – much longer than other flooring types such as carpet or vinyl.

Carpet

Wool, sisal and seagrass can all be manufactured sustainably and are excellent at retaining heat, helping make your home more energy-efficient.

LVT, vinyl and laminate

Look for products made from recycled materials with good insulating properties and a long lifespan.

Do your research

As we’ve outlined above, if you want a truly eco-friendly flooring option, you’ll need to do your research. Look at the materials used, the manufacturing process, the energy efficiency and the recyclability of your flooring, as well as your underlay and any adhesives used in the installation.

At Beyond Flooring, our mission is to enhance your home or business with expertly fitted flooring. Not only can we help you select the right flooring for your needs, we can take care of installing your product to the highest standards.

If you need a little inspiration, check out our customer gallery, or visit our showroom. Our friendly team are always happy to help you select the perfect flooring for your home.