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Once upon a time, wanting to be eco-friendly meant that you had to forget about style and opt for bland, boring and high-maintenance materials.
Luckily, times have changed, and green materials look more attractive than ever and are durable and easy to clean.
We are going to mostly cover green floors; however, if you want to make the rest of your home greener, here are some tips to help get you started.
One of the easiest ways to become more eco-friendly in your home is to opt for green flooring. Here are just some of the best green options for your floors that will help you save the planet and make your home look amazing.
Bamboo
One of the biggest stars amongst eco-friendly floors is certainly bamboo. It’s so popular thanks to its sustainability and durability which make bamboo great flooring material.
It can be harvested every three to five years, and apart from being extremely durable, it is very light and extremely versatile. Did you know bamboo can be used to make clothing, bed sheets, mattress, pillows, and numerous other materials?
Another great thing about bamboo is that it has natural antibacterial properties; plus, it is water-resistant, which makes it a perfect candidate for bathrooms and kitchens.
All in all, bamboo might be more expensive than laminates, but it’s cheaper than hardwoods and more eco-friendly.
The only bad side is that bamboo usually grows in the equatorial region, which means it needs to be shipped to other parts of the world (and shipping equals pollution).
Cork
Cork is rapidly gaining in popularity as an eco-friendly flooring material. People who are environmentally conscious often choose cork because of its versatility, sustainability, appearance, and price tag.
Cork is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial and has a super-soft and warm feeling to it. It’s also easy to install and great for insulation. However, because of its softness, cork can be easily damaged. It also fades in the sun.
Glass tiles
Some recycled bottles and other discarded glass get to have a second chance and become beautiful glass tiles. This eco-friendly material is quickly becoming a desirable solution for floors, as well as walls, especially in moist environments, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
It’s completely non-absorptive and will never develop mold or mildew. Besides, it’s also quite easy to maintain. Additionally, glass tiles come in many different colors, patterns and shapes and everybody can find something that matches their taste and interior design.
Concrete
Not many people imagine concrete when they think about eco-friendly materials, but in fact, concrete is quite green.
It’s quickly gaining in popularity as an interior material, especially for homes designed with contemporary and minimalist style in mind. Concrete is quite versatile: it can be polished, tinted and distressed, as well as decorated with tiled effect.
Also, its neutral gray color goes well with any color palette, which makes concrete perfect for people who love to redecorate. But, its main advantage over other eco-friendly flooring options is its durability.
If occasionally maintained, concrete floors can last practically forever.
Marmoleum
If you want a flooring option that is super environmentally friendly, highly durable, non-toxic, anti-microbial, and easy to maintain, look no further than Marmoleum.
This weirdly-named material is made of natural materials that are renewable and recycled. Marmoleum comes in hundreds of different colors and designs and is available both in sheets and tiles.
So, if you wish to have Marmoleum in your eco-friendly home, there are companies that do efficient flooring installation that also offer repair work that will additionally prolong your floor’s life.
Reclaimed wood
If you really love the classic look of traditional hardwood floors, it can still be an eco-friendly option. Hardwood is not considered very sustainable due to deforestation, but if you opt for reclaimed or salvaged wood, it’s actually quite green.
Reclaimed wood for flooring creates a beautiful effect, especially if you want to achieve a rustic or vintage look in your home. It looks amazing in older homes, cottages or beach houses.
Recycled carpets
If you love the warm and soft feeling on your toes that only carpets offer, you can still be green. Opt for a recycled carpet that’s made from recycled plastics and regenerated nylon.
These floor coverings are super eco-friendly, stain-resistant, and come in different colors, patterns, and pile designs (everything from humble hallway options to thick living room carpets).
So, join the green homeowner movement and make your home eco-friendly with these beautiful and sustainable flooring options.
