4 Sustainable (& Beautiful) Flooring Options

Creating sustainable homes is our passion! For us being eco-friendly also means creating spaces with longevity and durability in mind. Today the TD team is sharing some great flooring options that are not only beautiful but long lasting. 

1) Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is not only incredibly durable but it is sustainable because bamboo grows very fast. Non-toxic, VOC/ formaldehyde-free, and affordable it can be made into many different patterns to mimic the look of other popular flooring such as cherry, oak or ash hardwood. A few downsides: Bamboo is not recommended for use in places where it floods often or has high humidity and it cannot be refinished like a typical wood flooring. We love the numerous options at Cali-bamboo!

2) Concrete

Concrete may not be the first thing you consider when you think of flooring options for your home but it can incorporate recycled products, such as crushed glass, bits of recycled plastic, marble chips and metal shavings making this a very green option. Concrete itself can also be recycled at the end of its long service life. Having concrete floors can lower your heating/cooling costs as well as improve air quality for people with allergies. It also can optimize radiant heat transfer making your floor warm to the touch.  Concrete is low cost, easy to install, and easy to clean. It’s also easy to change in the future, by simply changing the stain/color or adding your flooring choice on top. A few of the downsides: concrete is cold  (if you opt out of radiant floor heating) and can be hard to stand on for long periods of time. But that can be remedied with a few well placed area rugs. It’s best for people that like a little character and an uneven color/stain which we think is beautiful!

3) Glass Mosaic Tile

Using Glass tiles is a luxurious way to use eco-friendly materials in your home. It’s great for things like backsplashes, entryways, or bathrooms, glass tiles take half the amount of energy that porcelain tiles do and you can even opt to use recycled glass materials. They are easy to clean and resistant to mold, mildew, and stains. But they will cost a bit more and require an artisan installer which also adds to the cost. They can also break or chip and might need replacing if used in areas with high use and not all are recommended to be used as flooring.

4) Linoleum Flooring

This next option might surprise you but Linoleum flooring is durable and incredibly versatile (with inspiring colors options) while also being affordable. In more recent years, there have been many upgrades to Linoleum technology that make it more durable but is also compostable.. It’s antimicrobial, fire retardant and stain resistant making it a good choice for places with high foot traffic like bathrooms and kitchens. Some of the downsides: it can be irreparable if you drop something heavy or by pet scratches and it’s recommended that you refinish/re-wax about every 2 years for maximum longevity.  Not all Linoleum is made the same so make sure you consult a professional while making your selection and tell them you want something eco-friendly. Marmoleum is our fav!

​Flooring can be a huge investment, consulting an interior designer is a great way to ease the  mind and help make decisions. You can find one that specializes in eco-friendly options like we do here at Thomas Designs or call us directly, we’re happy to help! 
Do you have any other fun eco-friendly flooring options to suggest? Let us know in the comments below!