Eco friendly flooring: Stylish and sustainable options for your home
Eco-friendly flooring designs are perfect if you want to keep your home both stylish and sustainable. Nowadays, opting for ethical alternatives doesn’t mean installing grass in your lounge and growing vegetables in your alcoves (although that’s lovely too). It just means being conscious about what materials you choose and looking at ways to reduce your carbon footprint (figuratively and literally).
So, let’s explore the best eco-friendly flooring types to help you decide which one is worth introducing to your home.
Eco-friendly flooring options
Bamboo flooring is an eco-friendly all-rounder
Bamboo is a sustainable material because it grows fast (some say too fast!), making it harvestable after only a few years. As a result, bamboo flooring is an eco-friendly option that’s gaining popularity as quickly as it shoots up.
Bamboo flooring is a great alternative to hardwood because it’s strong, durable, and attractive. Furthermore, it has a high Janka rating, which means it’s resistant to dents and scratches. This makes it perfect for high-traffic areas and households with pets.
Find out how much bamboo flooring is likely to cost you.
Consider cork for an eco-friendly kitchen flooring
Cork flooring is another eco-friendly option for your home, and it’s one that’s making a comeback. Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, which regenerates after being harvested. As a result, it’s a naturally sustainable option for your flooring. (As long as growers leave the trees to recover).
Cork flooring is also durable and water-resistant, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Not only that, but it has a unique look and can add warmth and tranquillity to any room.
Check out our cork flooring installation cost guide for more information.
Reclaim your eco-friendly hardwood flooring
Reclaimed hardwood flooring involves repurposing wood from old structures (e.g., barns and factories) and turning it into fancy flooring.
Due to its unique look, which is often a mix of old and new wood, reclaimed hardwood is becoming an increasingly popular option for people who want something different to everyone else.
However, the fact it’s environmentally friendly, has a lower carbon footprint than new hardwood flooring, and doesn’t require harvesting any trees doesn’t hurt either!
Linoleum can be eco-friendly too
Linoleum flooring is an eco-friendly option because you can make it from natural materials such as linseed oil, cork dust, and wood flour, which makes it biodegradable.
Furthermore, linoleum flooring is durable and water-resistant, making it perfect for high-traffic areas prone to splashes and spills. It also comes in a variety of colours and patterns, which means it works with any type of decor.
Consider recycled rubber flooring
Eco-friendly flooring for bathrooms isn’t the easiest to find. However, recycled rubber flooring is durable, slip-resistant, splash and stain-proof. This makes it perfect for bathrooms, high-traffic areas, and households with children or pets.
Rubber flooring is sustainable because it’s made from recycled rubber (e.g., old tyres), which keeps this durable material out of landfills. It’s also popular due to its unique look and the variety of colours and patterns it comes in.
Related: Bathroom flooring ideas: Inspiration for materials, non-slip and vinyl flooring.
The most sustainable wood flooring types
How sustainable is the wood you’re choosing for your flooring? For example, did you know that some wood species are endangered while others are sourced from poorly managed forests?
These are important considerations when choosing the right wood, some of which are considered more sustainable than other wood flooring types. Let’s take a look at the top eco-friendly wood floors below.
White oak
White oak is both durable and timeless, making it a popular choice for homeowners. It’s also considered sustainable as it’s widely available and grows in various regions across the world. As white oak is slow-growing, it’s denser and more durable than other types of oak, meaning it’s less prone to cracks and warping.
Even so, when choosing white oak flooring, look for an FSC certification so you know the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Maple
Maple is another sustainable option for wood flooring. Unlike white oak, it’s a fast-growing and widely available tree, making it sustainable due to its abundance. Maple is also durable and able to withstand heavy foot traffic, which is ideal for high-traffic areas in your home.
Like white oak, when choosing maple flooring, check it has an FSC certification so you know it’s sourced from a responsibly managed forest.
Bamboo
As mentioned above, bamboo is a sustainable option for flooring that’s rapidly gaining popularity. Technically, it’s not a wood; it’s a fast-growing grass that becomes harvestable in only a few years. However, it acts like wood and is highly renewable, making it one of the most sustainable options for eco-friendly flooring.
Like white oak and maple, when choosing bamboo flooring, look for an FSC certification or other certifications such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
Cork
Cork is a sustainable option for flooring that is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree. The tree isn’t cut down during harvesting and the bark regenerates, making it a highly renewable resource. Cork is also naturally resistant to water and insects, making it a durable and bug-free flooring option.
When choosing cork flooring, it’s also important to look for an associated FSC certification so you know it’s been sourced from a responsibly managed forest. By choosing sustainable wood flooring options, you can do your part to promote sustainability and reduce your carbon footprint, all while enjoying the beauty and durability of natural wood flooring.
Environmentally friendly flooring finishes
You wouldn’t wash your face with soap and then moisturise with acid, just like you wouldn’t choose eco-friendly flooring and coat it in chemicals. It’s important to consider an eco-friendly wood floor finish. Here are some options:
- Water-based finishes: Low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are chemicals that harm the environment and your health, water-based finishes are non-toxic with a low odour
- Natural oil finishes: Made from natural oils such as linseed or tung oil, they’re non-toxic, have a low odour, and penetrate the wood for a natural look and feel
- Wax finishes: Made from natural materials such as beeswax or carnauba wax, they give the wood a natural sheen and are non-toxic, easy to maintain, and have a low odour
Eco-friendly flooring ratings and certifications
Look for these environmental ratings when choosing your wood floors:
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a certification that ensures the wood used in the flooring comes from responsibly managed forests. FSC-certified wood is harvested sustainably to make sure the forest’s biodiversity is protected, as well as the associated ecosystem services and economic livelihoods.
Green Label Plus
Green Label Plus is a certification that assures the consumer the associated flooring has low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The certification means the flooring won’t release harmful chemicals into the air, which improves indoor air quality and promotes a healthy living environment. Good news for people who suffer from asthma!
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) makes sure the associated flooring is made from organic materials, the manufacturing process is environmentally responsible, the flooring is free from harmful chemicals, and the production process meets specific environmental and social criteria
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
PEFC is an international certification system that promotes sustainable forest management practices and ensures that the wood used in flooring comes from responsibly managed forests.
Cradle to Cradle Certified (C2C)
C2C looks at the environmental and social impact of products throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal. It assesses factors such as material health, recyclability, and social responsibility.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
LEED evaluates the sustainability of buildings and interiors. They include criteria for flooring such as the use of sustainable materials, low-emitting products, and recycled content.
Final thoughts
Choosing eco-friendly flooring as an option is a great way to support sustainable designs and reduce your carbon footprint. There are many options available, including bamboo, cork, reclaimed hardwood, linoleum, and recycled rubber flooring.
When selecting flooring options, it’s essential to look for environmental certifications such as FSC, Green Label Plus, and GOTS, which will give you peace of mind that the flooring you choose is environmentally responsible.
FAQs
What is the most eco-friendly flooring in the UK?
Bamboo is widely considered one of the most eco-friendly flooring materials. However, the most eco-friendly flooring option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
It’s important to consider factors such as durability, cost, and maintenance requirements before making a decision. Why not talk to a flooring expert who’ll be able to help you work out the best option for your needs?
What is the least toxic flooring?
Cork is a natural material that doesn’t emit harmful VOCs. It’s also hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and resistant to mould and mildew.
Natural stone, such as slate, granite, or marble, is also a non-toxic and durable flooring option, which is also easy to clean and maintain.
NB: Even low-toxicity flooring options may emit some level of chemicals, so we recommended choosing a flooring option that’s certified as low-emitting by third-party organisations such as BREEAM, GreenGuard, IAC, or FloorScore.
Proper ventilation during installation and ongoing maintenance will help minimise any potential exposure to harmful chemicals.
What flooring has the lowest carbon footprint?
The flooring options with the lowest carbon footprint are those that are made from natural and renewable materials, have a low impact on the environment during production, and can be recycled or biodegraded at the end of their life.
Related: 5 eco-friendly bathroom ideas
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