IN THIS POST
– What is eco-friendly flooring?
– Bamboo flooring
– Linoleum flooring
– Cork flooring
– Glass tile flooring
– Reclaimed hardwood flooring
– Natural stone tile flooring
– Stained concrete flooring
Gone are the days when eco-friendly flooring ideas were considered dull and boring. Owing to the growing threat of climate change as well as increased awareness about a sustainable lifestyle, more and more homeowners around the world are developing an interest in green living. In fact, markets are flooded with environment-friendly construction materials that not only create a healthy and soothing atmosphere but also add to the value of your home.
To help you give your space a sustainable upgrade, we’ve put together a list of eco-friendly flooring options that are both aesthetically pleasing and pocket friendly.
However, before we discuss sustainable flooring options, let’s clarify what it actually means.
What is Eco-Friendly Flooring?
Eco-friendly flooring is any flooring that has minimum impact on the environment, leaves a very small carbon footprint, can be recycled at the end of its lifespan so that it doesn’t contribute to landfills, and most importantly, must not go through toxic chemical treatments at the time of manufacturing.
Moreover, these sustainable flooring materials must come from a natural source that can be easily replenished. These flooring options must also be durable and easy to maintain.
Eco-Friendly Flooring Ideas for Your Home
Here are some of the most popular eco-friendly flooring options available in the market:
- Bamboo flooring
- Linoleum flooring
- Cork flooring
- Glass tiles
- Reclaimed hardwood flooring
- Natural stone tile flooring
- Stained concrete flooring
Bamboo flooring
Eco-friendly bamboo flooring is usually the first choice among homeowners striving for sustainable living.
Along with being a brilliant alternative to traditional hardwood flooring, bamboo is not only extremely durable, but it is also recyclable and is sourced from a plant that regrows rather quickly and easily. In addition to that, bamboo is relatively harder than oak, which makes it a great choice for homes.
One of the biggest pros of bamboo flooring is its unique look, which can make your entire décor look modern and chic. Like hardwood flooring, it can also be refinished. Moreover, bamboo flooring is easy to maintain and can be cleaned with a mop dipped in a solution of water and mild.
However, on the flip side, bamboo flooring is not ideal for bathrooms and patios etc. The main reason behind this is because it is not resistant to moisture and humidity. If exposed to extreme conditions, it can easily crack.
Where to install bamboo flooring in a home?
The eco-friendly bamboo flooring is appropriate for:
- Bedrooms
- Living room
- Drawing room
- Kitchen
- Offices
Linoleum flooring
Once a popular flooring material, linoleum was replaced by vinyl and then ceramic tile flooring in homes. However, if you are looking for eco-friendly flooring ideas for your home, you don’t have to look any further than linoleum – an all-natural flooring material that is completely biodegradable.
Natural linoleum flooring is made from completely renewable and earth-friendly materials, such as solidified linseed oil, pine resin, ground cork dust, wood flour, ground limestone and pigments. It usually has a burlap or canvas backing with a protective layer added on top to prevent scratches, stains and discolouration.
The biggest advantages of linoleum flooring include easy installation, durability, easy maintenance, resistance to moisture and a uniform look since pigments are well spread out in the material.
On the flip side, linoleum flooring tends to turn yellow under direct sunlight and does not fare well against standing water. In addition to that, it is highly susceptible to cuts and dents from sharp objects.
Where to install linoleum flooring in a home?
If you want a sustainable home, natural linoleum flooring is most suitable for:
- Kitchen
- Bedrooms
- Living room
- Hallways
- Offices
Cork flooring
Cork is yet another popular eco-friendly flooring option. It is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. However, the tree isn’t completely cut down in the process and regrows in the next three years, which makes it a sustainable resource.
There are quite a few advantages of installing cork floors in your home. For starters, cork flooring is fire retardant, can last up to 30 years, has antimicrobial properties, can be easily stained or painted, and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. In addition to that, cork comprises small chambers or air, which makes it a great soundproofing material. Cork is also soft underfoot, can repel insects and bugs, and budget-friendly.
However, owing to its softness, cork flooring is not suitable for heavy traffic areas in a home. In fact, even heavy furniture and sharp objects such as pointy heels can permanently damage the floor. Moreover, it is prone to stains and can lose its colour if exposed to harsh sunlight. It is also not water-resistant, making it a bad choice for bathrooms.
Where to install cork flooring in a home?
For green living, you can consider installing this non-toxic flooring material in the following parts of your house:
- Bedrooms
- Living room
- Hallway
Glass tile flooring
When it comes to eco-friendly flooring ideas for bathrooms, glass tiles are definitely the first choice for most homeowners.
These tiles are usually made from recycled glass bottles and are completely recyclable, so you don’t have to worry about filling up landfills. Apart from being sustainable flooring options, glass tiles are available in a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes. Most interior designers recommend installing mosaic sized glass tiles in the bathroom so that extra grout joints can make the surface less slippery.
Furthermore, glass tiles add depth to space and can make it look bigger than it actually is. Not to mention, they can also make your bathroom look more expensive and elegant.
Glass tiles are not susceptible to water damage, do not scratch easily and are resistant to scratches. However, you’ll have to clean them frequently because dirt, grime and soap build-up becomes quite apparent on glass tiles.
Where to install glass tile flooring in a home?
Glass tiles are most suitable for:
- Bathrooms
Reclaimed hardwood flooring
While a lot of people consider hardwood floors to be eco-friendly, the truth is that they come from cutting off trees, which is not very sustainable at all. So, if you are looking to add a touch of elegance to your home while promoting green living, then you should consider installing reclaimed hardwood flooring to upgrade your space.
Reclaimed hardwood, also known as recycled hardwood, is manufactured by processing old wooden furniture, floorboards and other items. The end product can be stained and painted to look just like the real thing, which makes it an ideal choice for your home.
Moreover, reclaimed hardwood floors are not just an eco-friendly flooring option, they are also durable, strong, easy to clean and maintain, do not stain easily, and long-lasting. If you take care of them properly, you won’t have to replace your floors for a couple of decades.
However, when it comes to the major disadvantages of this eco-friendly flooring idea, reclaimed hardwood is not resistant to water damage and is prone to termite infestation if not sealed properly.
Where to install reclaimed hardwood flooring in a home?
Reclaimed hardwood is one of the best-recycled flooring ideas you can potentially opt for. It is most suitable for:
- Bedrooms
- Living Rooms
- Drawing Rooms
- Hallways
- Offices
Natural stone tile flooring
Natural stones tiles, such as marble, granite, slate, limestone and travertine are not only popular flooring materials, but they are rather environment-friendly as well. For starters, there is an abundance of stones in the world, with new one constantly being created by means of natural tectonic processes.
Turning a natural stone into stone tiles doesn’t involve a lot of toxic chemicals. In fact, stone fabricators mostly use wet blades while fabricating the stones, which reduces the amount of stone dust being released into the air. As far as recycling is concerned, damaged stone can always be turned into construction material, such as gravel.
The biggest pros of natural stone tiles are that they are charming, elegant, can virtually last forever, easy to repair, mostly resistant to water damage, don’t attract pests and bugs, and most importantly, are extremely sturdy.
The cons of installing natural stone tile flooring are that it can be a little heavy on the topic. Also, some natural stones are relatively brittle, so they can get scratched or chipped, greatly diminishing their beauty.
Where to install natural stone tile flooring in a home?
Natural stone tiles are among the best eco-friendly flooring ideas on the list. You can install them in:
- Kitchen
- Living Room
- Drawing Room
- Bedrooms
- Hallway
- Patio
- Stairs
To learn more about choosing the best type of tiles for each room in the house, please check out our comprehensive guide on the topic. You can also take a look at different types of floor tiles available in Pakistan and their rates to help you formulate a budget.
Stained Concrete flooring
Last but not least, stained concrete is one of the most underrated yet eco-friendly flooring ideas among homeowners in Pakistan.
Stained concrete is a non-toxic flooring choice from both residential and commercial properties. Though it is already popular in the industrial sector, it is slowly gaining prominence in homes as a top garage flooring option. Since most homes in Pakistan already have concrete floors, all you need to do is polish and stain them for a sleek and modern look. They are visually appealing, easy-to-clean, and extremely budget-friendly.
On the other hand, concrete floors can be hard and cold underfoot. Polished concrete can also be rather slippery when wet and is not resistant to water.
Where to install stained concrete flooring in a home?
In homes, stained concrete flooring is most suitable for
- Garage
- Basement
- Patio
So, which of these eco-friendly flooring options will you be opting for? Let us know your thoughts and comments by writing to us on blog@zameen.com.
To learn more about the pros and cons of different types of flooring in Pakistan, head over to Zameen Blog – the best lifestyle and real estate blog in the country. You can also subscribe to our newsletter on the right to stay updated about the latest home décor, construction and property trends.
