Learning More About Sustainable Flooring Solutions

Sustainability is quite the popular buzzword in interior design and remodelling lately, but going green doesn’t have to be just a short-lived trend. Choosing more sustainable options for you and your home will certainly help the earth, but it also won’t hurt you that the design possibilities are stylish and modern. Eco-friendly flooring offers versatile options that won’t break the bank. Seek out flooring services in Red Deer with professionals who are knowledgeable about sustainable solutions that won’t negatively impact the environment and offer expert installation to match. 

Linoleum 

Surprisingly, grandma’s old floor was indeed an eco-friendly option. Genuine linoleum, not synthetic or vinyl, is made from natural materials like rosins, ground limestone, cork, jute, wood flour, and linseed oil. It can come in a roll or tiles of differing shapes. Handyman Connection in Red Deer offers professional floor tile installation services of various materials, including linoleum. Linoleum also comes in many different colours and patterns. With proper care and regular cleaning, linoleum flooring can last upwards of 40 years. The extended lifespan of linoleum also saves excess materials from finding their way into a landfill. 

Bamboo 

Bamboo is a sustainable alternative to traditional hardwood flooring. Homeowners can resand and restain most bamboo floors to specification. Unlike hardwood, bamboo only takes five years to reach maturity, whereas most hardwoods take several decades. Bamboo also has self-generating roots, which means that harvesting does not damage the plant’s base, and more bamboo can grow from the harvested plant that remains in place. Shockingly, bamboo also produces more oxygen than hardwood forests of the same size. Another bonus of bamboo is that it is harder than most hardwoods, meaning that it can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years with normal wear and tear. 

Cork 

Cork comes from the bark of cork trees found in Europe and Africa, with Portugal at the top of industry production. When harvested correctly, cork is taken from the bark of cork trees that will regenerate another layer of bark and continue growing. The harvesting process is regulated and monitored to ensure that bark is not harvested too soon, resulting in tree damage. Cork trees can live hundreds of years old if properly cared for, so cork is an excellent long-term resource for many projects, including flooring. It is allergen-free, shock-absorbent, and durable. It performs better in dry, moisture-free areas. Cork also comes in different colours and patterns. But, buyer beware, cork also comes in varying degrees of quality too. Quality cork flooring generally lasts 20 to 25 years and sometimes longer, depending on the finish and purpose. 

Reclaimed Hardwood 

Reclaimed hardwood is hardwood taken from other homes or buildings that have replaced flooring or demolished. Materials are then taken and then used for flooring. Some reclaimed hardwood is also found under tiles and carpeting. Reclaiming hardwood eliminates the need for additional deforestation and continues the life cycle for that hardwood as flooring. This cycle can be longer or shorter depending on the hardness of the wood. Sanding down and restaining wood will give it a brand new life. This is also an option for homeowners who want hardwood flooring but may not be able to afford traditional flooring. Reclaimed hardwood can be stained professionally to spec and lasts just as long as a brand new, stained, and sealed hardwood. 

Remember that just because a flooring material is eco-friendly, it doesn’t have to lack design options. If you are considering replacing your flooring with a more sustainable option, contact the professionals at Handyman Connection in Red Deer. We have specialists waiting to consult with you on which sustainable flooring solutions will work with your budget, home, and style.