If you’ve recently looked into replacing or installing new flooring, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about the various green flooring options that are now readily available.  The truth is that not only are there now a number of viable alternatives to traditional flooring, but that many can be installed easily and without putting too big a drain on your pocketbook.  Green floor products also generally offer a reduced exposure risk to toxins found in production of typical flooring, in addition to being socially responsible.

Before making your decision, it’s important not just to look at costs; flooring products, green or otherwise, are not created equal.  Each material has a different lifetime over which the price per square foot must be divided, its own unique ecological “footprint,” and other special considerations, making the selection of the right option for your project a somewhat more involved (but also more rewarding) process.  Let’s take a closer look at three of the most popular green flooring options.

Those who are set on having the luster and feel of wood may find what they’re looking for in bamboo, an incredibly fast-growing member of the grass family which does not require replanting or use of pesticides to grow.  It can provide a beautiful wood-like grain, and has a lifetime comparable to hardwood floors (30-50 years). 

Note that bamboo must be carbonized in order to reveal its grain, and this process weakens it slightly, so it is suggested that non-carbonized (light-grain) bamboo be used in high-traffic areas.  Finally, one issue that you might run into with cheaper bamboo flooring is low-level formaldehyde emissions.  Ask your manufacturer if the bamboo strips were treated with formaldehyde before making your purchase.

For the slightly more adventurous, cork flooring is environmentally sustainable, comfortable to walk on, warm during even the cold months, and naturally anti-microbial.  With proper care, it will also last over 30 years.  Cork is harvested from the bark of the Cork Oak, without destroying the tree itself, after which it is processed into corks for wine bottles.  What remains from this process is then used to make cork flooring. 

This puts cork near the top of the list in terms of low environmental impact.  However, cork does require some extra care, including protection from spills and pets, so it may not be ideal for every home. Many aren’t aware of this, but linoleum is also a green option.  Made of linseed oil and rosin, its production is natural and sustainable.  It may not be aesthetically pleasing, but it’s very affordable and safe.  Regardless of your decision, be sure to research each option carefully.  You’re bound to find something that’s right for you.