If you are going to do any remodeling in your home, you’re probably going to be in need of a new floor. But you might be wondering: Are there any renewable, sustainable flooring options? Well, indeed there are! Masters Touch has put together a list of the top five materials, cork, bamboo, linoleum, wood and tile. At Masters Touch, we too care about the environment and can help you make the best selection of sustainable flooring for your remodeling project.
Cork Flooring
Cork is a naturally renewable product made from the cork oak tree which grows back after it is harvested. Cork flooring provides nice insulation from heat and cold and is naturally repellant to bugs, mold and mites. Some cork flooring is made from recycled bottle stoppers.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants with a harvest cycle of just 3-5 years making it very renewable. Bamboo flooring is naturally resistant to water, mildew and insects. Bamboo floors are also harder than maple or red oak products which make them more durable and longer lasting.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum flooring is made from natural materials like linseed oil, recycled wood flour, cork dust and limestone. Linoleum is naturally anti-bacterial and is also biodegradable. Linoleum flooring can last between 25-40 years and when the material is no longer used it can be burned as fuel making its lifecycle a closed loop system. If you are looking for a “green” floor in your home, then linoleum is one of your best choices.
Wood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is a natural product of the earth and is constantly being renewed. It is completely biodegradable and can be easily recycled as fuel or other flooring products. When looking for sustainable wood flooring be sure to choose products from sources that are Forest Stewardship Council certified as well-managed. This insures the hardwood is harvested in a sustainable manner.
Additionally, wood flooring can be recycled from old building tear downs and other flooring products. Use of these materials cuts down on waste and prevents the harvesting of a living tree. When utilizing recycled wood flooring you must be careful and ensure that the wood was never treated with toxic chemicals over the course of its previous life.
Mullican and Mercier are just two of the Certified Green wood flooring products that we carry at Masters Touch.
Stone
Stone is a natural product which is constantly being recreated by tectonic processes. It does not harm the environment, and can be recycled into other flooring projects. Stone is extremely durable and therefore lasts a long time. However, stone is quite heavy so the transport impact on the environment from imported materials can be significant.
Masters Touch is a certified Green Builder by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI.org). We are committed to designing and building safe and healthy homes, protecting our environment, and preserving precious natural resources for future generations. In our Design Showroom we carry a wider variety of sustainable and renewable products including a full line of “green” flooring options. If you are interested in selecting “green” options for your next home improvement or remodeling project we can help you choose the option that is best suited to your needs.
Contact us today at 508-359-5900 or visit our Design Showroom at 24 Water Street, Holliston for all your sustainable and renewable flooring needs.
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