It’s not easy being green! Having beautiful flooring and being environmentally conscious shouldn’t be a compromise. Here are a few options for environmentally responsible flooring choices for your home.

Bamboo

Bamboo’s physical similarities to true hardwoods, strength, and durability make it a top contender in the world of flooring. Bamboo is a highly renewable source of material as it grows much faster than wood. Wood can take from 20-120 years to mature where bamboo takes about 3-5 years to reach full maturity. Bamboo is available in many hues, grains, and colours giving it an customizable feature uncommon to other more traditional types of wood flooring. But be careful, the Okanagan’s harsh dry climate can wreck havoc on a bamboo floor. Consider bamboo only if you’re committed to maintaining relative humidity between 35% and 55% in your home.

Carpet

Carpet can be a bit tricky when it comes to being eco-friendly as it tends to collect dust and allergens, and most synthetic carpeting can produce outgas. Natural fibre carpets are also a problematic purchase for the ethical shopper considering conditions in sheep farms or wool fibre factories. Although, there is a silver lining! Many synthetic fibre manufacturers have been making strides in the production of synthetic carpets through responsible production and innovation. Work is being done to add recycling facilities in Canada that will hopefully be able to process carpet in the future.

Cork

Cork has a number of advantages from an eco-friendly perspective. Like bamboo, cork is a renewable source material. The harvesting of cork happens when cork bark is pulled from a living tree. The tree is undamaged in the process and even continues to grow! The bark is then ground into small pieces and used to make wine corks, shoe soles, flooring and many more materials. Little to no waste occurs in the production of cork because of its multi-purposeful nature. Unfortunately there are no recycling plants for corks within Canada, yet many exist throughout Europe. Who knows, maybe the technology will cross the pond soon? Cork has anti-microbial properties that reduce allergens within your home, is easy to maintain, and is a natural insect repellant as well. Cork can be finished in a variety of paints to suit any space. Typically, cork flooring can last anywhere between 10-30 years!

Linoleum

Invented in 1860 from a mix of linseed oil, pine resin, and sawdust, Linoleum is certified biodegradable, organic, and hygienic. It’s been used in many fashionable spaces such as contemporary artistic spaces, and is available in a range of custom colours. Another benefit of linoleum flooring is it’s resistant to wear and tear making it one of the most durable flooring options on the market.

Glass Tiles

Ever wonder what happens to that glass you send to the recycle depot that you receive a pretty penny for? Chances are you’re probably walking on it. This renewable source is becoming a staples in modern bathrooms and kitchens. Glass tiles are non-absorptive, easy to maintain, won’t stain, and won’t produce mould in damp environments. Like many of our other eco-friendly alternatives, glass tiles are produce in a wide variety of colours, patterns, and finishes that will work with any space.

We don’t care what your choice is, we just care that you have a choice. At Smalls Flooring we have a large variety of flooring to fit your needs to make sure you have the home of your dreams.