If you're undertaking a kitchen renovation, most likely you're looking at a new floor. But you might be wondering: Are there sustainable flooring options? Indeed there are! We've put together a list of the top six materials and a list of the distributors/stores where you can buy them:
- Bamboo: While there is concern about the amount of energy it takes to ship bamboo, bamboo flooring remains an extremely durable, renewable resource. Look for bamboo products that are FSC-certified and have no added formaldehyde. Distributors: Foundations Strand, EcoTimber, Teragren, Duro Design, and Plyboo.
- Cork: Cork is made from the bark of a cork oak. It's easy to clean and has good foot support and sound absorption qualities. It's a rapidly renewable resource, hypoallergenic, non-toxic and naturally mold and pest resistant. Distributors: See Where To Buy Cork: The Top Suppliers
- Linoleum: Real linoleum is an all-natural flooring option made of linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments, all pressed onto a jute backing. It's long-lasting, easy to clean, and often contains recycled content. Distributors: Forbo Marmoleum, Nova Linoleum
- Wood: Wood is a classic and durable flooring option. Just make sure that the wood you choose is Forest Stewardship Council certified, or salvaged/reclaimed wood. Avoid products with added formaldehyde, which are sometimes used in engineered/pressed wood backing or sublayers. Also look for sealers and cleaners that are environmentally benign and low-VOC. Distributors: EcoTimber, TerraMai, Trestlewood
- Tile: Tile is beautiful and durable, and you can find companies that make their tile products with up to 100% recycled glass or ceramic. Distributors: TerraGreen Ceramics, Trend, Eco Friendly Flooring, Quarry Tile Company
- Stone: Look for locally (or at least domestically) mined and fabricated stone, but avoid buying imported stone in order to reduce transport-related energy. If you need to use a sealer, make sure it's a low-VOC product (less than 200 g/L of VOCs, per SCAQMD Rule 1113). Distributors: Eco Friendly Flooring
(Image: Bamboo flooring at the Kettle Brook Lofts)
Great flooring options, but where are those cabinets from? I love the simple style.
view res325's profile
what about cob flooring?
view bearcub's profile
We ended up using a laminate in our house. Wood, cork and bamboo would have been risky due to our moisture problems (exacerbated by us foregoing air conditioning), and we weren't up for an all-tile house.
We tried to find one that was as environmentally friendly as possible, and ended up with a Mannington -- 74% recycled material, formaldehyde free: http://www.mannington.com/Residential/Laminate/Environmental%20Attributes.aspx
I dunno -- is that greenwashing, or is a good laminate a valid "green" product? It seems like the unknown variables to me are the energy/chemical needs in manufacturing, and the chemicals released in a landfill someday.
view ddk's profile
We ordered bamboo for our kitchen (actually our whole house) from www.builddirect.com. The floors are bullet-proof and their customer service was immpeccable.
view sherhall's profile
if you live in the Orange County area, our store carries many of these lines, we are in Santa Ana, off the 5-fwy
www.roadlesstraveledstore.com
view delilahsnell's profile