1. SOLID WOOD FLOORING
Wood is the most obvious type of eco flooring as it has been used in this way for centuries - trees were cut down, made into planks and laid. Easy. But now it’s not quite so straightforward as trees are harvested at such a rate (not only for flooring) that deforestation is occurring on a massive scale, so if you buy solid wood flooring, make sure it’s from a sustainable source.
2. RECLAIMED WOOD FLOORING
There has been a huge flooring trend for reclaimed wood in the last few years, beloved for their unique look and history. But are reclaimed floors really eco?
3. ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING
This is a grey area as engineered floors are purposefully designed and built, so it is no longer a natural wood floor that was grown from a tree. However, the top layer is real wood of varying thicknesses, with a second layer of core board which could be various things but is usually plywood or MDF and glued together. Sometimes the ‘core’ wood is sustainable plantation plywood but it’s worth checking before you buy just how sustainable the flooring is. If nothing else, it's often the glue that lets it down.
4. CORK FLOORING
Cork has, like wood, been around for centuries and was very popular in the 70’s for all sorts of things. It has had a lot of interest recently due to its green credentials and its many applications.
5. SEAGRASS
Sisal, seagrass and jute are all popular natural, plant-based fibers that look alike and often get grouped together, but they are not the same and differ greatly in texture, durability and feel. All are a sustainable and renewable material and are naturally moth and dust mite-resistant, which makes them a healthy solution for those who suffer from asthma, eczema and other allergies. All are biodegradable.
6. SISAL
Sisal comes from plants such as agave or pineapple plants in Africa. The leaves are spun into a yarn-like material which is often used for rope and twine so it’s very durable. The natural hue is a creamy white to wheat color - ideal for beige living room ideas - which can then be dyed a wide range of colors to suit more lively schemes. It is extremely hard-wearing and particularly suitable for high traffic areas such as stairs, hallways and landings. Sisal has straight fibers that make it easier to clean.
7. JUTE
Jute is harvested from India and Bangladesh and has a natural brown hue. Jute tends to be softer than sisal, so is not so hard-wearing, and better for areas that have less traffic - working well in your home office ideas. It is more textured and more expensive than sisal.
8. TENCEL FLOORING
TENCEL® fiber is derived from wood pulp and sourced exclusively from sustainably grown forests. TENCEL® fibers are naturally moth resistant and resilient.
9. LINOLEUM AND MARMOLEUM FLOORING
Linoleum or - more commonly - lino has been around for a long time and was very popular in homes in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s as an inexpensive flooring option. Marmoleum came in slightly later and is different in that it doesn’t require any adhesive to install it. Both products are made from solidified linseed oil, pine resin, ground cork dust, sawdust and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, pigments are then added to create different colors, so it’s a totally natural product. These floor coverings were superseded by vinyl in the 1960’s as a cheaper alternative and later, LVT (luxury vinyl tile). Vinyl and LVT is generally synthetic and comprised mostly of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and other toxic chemicals. Therefore green-minded consumers are now rediscovering linoleum and marmoleum as a safer alternative. Marmoleum has continued to be used in the commercial market.
10. WOOD EFFECT VINYL FLOORING
Although vinyl in name, a new ultra-realistic wood effect floor – the MSeries from Harvey Maria is recognized as an eco-product - for it’s low impact on the environment in all aspects – production process, product composition and sustainable construction, achieving the Eurofins Gold Standard, rated A+ for indoor air quality, the floor is also fully recyclable. So things are already changing. This works particularly well with underfloor heating.
11. VINYL FLOORING
Although vinyl uses different plastics and PVC’s in its composition, good flooring companies have a strategy to bring in renewable energies along with the use of recycled and recyclable materials.