Your home can make a good impression for your guests and the environment. Homeowners seeking sustainable flooring options in Wisconsin reap the rewards for going green. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of eco-friendly flooring and what types are right for you.
What types of flooring are the most sustainable?
Hardwood
You may not think hardwood floors are environmentally friendly. However, as The National Wood Flooring Association reports, hardwood flooring is reusable so it cuts down on waste. Consequently, homeowners who uphold strict values of being environmentally conscious may need to investigate all their options.
Homeowners should be aware of the environmental repercussions of installing hardwood floors. Deforestation is a cause of concern for some, but there are options that reduce it. Oak trees are regularly replanted, so the materials that come from bark, such as oak, can easily be replenished.
If you’re interested in achieving the look of hardwood, engineered hardwood is a great option for eco-friendly flooring.
Engineered Hardwood
It has the look of a hardwood floor, with a little extra. Engineered hardwood is very stable, and is resistant to changes in moisture & heat. According to a post from Home Advisor, using engineered hardwood reduces waste and lasts the growing process for trees. If you’re torn between solid or engineered hardwood, see our blog post to see what’s right for you.
In addition, homeowners can look for renewable materials, such as bamboo.
Bamboo
Eco-friendly flooring does a great job of using all of its resources, leaving behind very little waste. Bamboo is plant-based, making it a renewable material. According to a blog post from The Spruce, it takes three to five years for the plant to reach maturity. Whereas, it can take almost twenty years for hardwood trees to reach maturity. In addition, bamboo is water & stain resistant.
Besides bamboo, cork floors also have great effects on the environment.
Oak
With a high rank on the Janka scale, Oak’s a great contender for strength and sustainability. According to a post from Shaw Floors, Oak is one of the most sustainable options because there are fewer emissions in the manufacturing process. Even more, it ranks #2 on This Old House’s list of the top 10 earth-friendly flooring options.
Finally, homeowners that want to find a sustainable and tough floor can benefit from installing cork floors.
Cork
Cork comes from the bark on oak trees and serves as a sustainable option for floors. According to a post from Green Conscious Home, cork is renewable because the oak trees can replenish after the bark is removed. On top of its environmentally friendly features, cork is stain proof and works as a great insulator!
Above all of the options for sustainability, homeowners aren’t short of resources for installing environmentally sustainable flooring.
Getting eco-friendly flooring in your Milwaukee home
Environmentally conscious homeowners have a wide range of options for decking out their home with great flooring. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, My Affordable Flooring offers flooring installation & repair services to get you started on giving back to the earth.
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