An eco friendly wood floor can make an attractive addition to a contemporary green home.
Wood flooring has recently experienced a surge of popularity and is now featured in many desirable and modern homes. Wood flooring became less popular when people started to think of it as being difficult to look after and maintain. Many other floor coverings were developed and wood flooring quickly became overlooked when people were seeking new floors for their home. There were also very real environmental considerations as wood was not seen as being as environmentally friendly as other alternatives.
It was not just the wood that was the environmental concern. Many people voiced concerns about the chemicals and other additives in floor preservatives, such as wax and other protective coatings, that were harmful to the environment. There have been several developments over recent years that makes an eco friendly wood floor a viable alternative.
What is an Eco Friendly Wood Floor?
An eco friendly wood floor is made from wood that has come from a sustainable and managed wood floor. Sometimes reclaimed wood is also referred to as being an eco friendly alternative as this saves new, virgin wood from being cut.
In order for a home owner to be sure that the wood flooring that they are purchasing is truly environmentally friendly and from a managed and sustainable source, then it is important that the wood carries a certificate from a reputable and independent certification body. This certificate is useful, however a home owner will still need to establish for themselves whether the wood is truly eco-friendly. A piece of wood is likely to have passed through many hands before it ends up fitted as flooring in a home.
Types of Eco Friendly Flooring
While solid wood planks have been traditionally used to make floors, there are alternatives that offer interesting benefits. Engineered floor planks are made from layers of wood and other materials. These are designed to be hard wearing and easy to install, as well as offer important insulation benefits. Engineered floor planks use less wood as the layers are often made using other materials.
There is also a trend towards bamboo flooring. Bamboo floors are hard wearing and have the environmental benefit of being from a source that is quick to replenish itself. Bamboo is a naturally light color and lends itself to being stained or dyed in a wide range of shades and colors. This makes it a versatile choice.
Alternatives to wood flooring are available and these include recycled plastic plywood and recycled plastic lumber.
Reclaimed Wood Floors
Another very environmentally friendly source of wood flooring is reclaimed wood. This can be as simple as reusing wood planks from another building or using wood from other sources, such as roof beams or even railway sleepers. Reclaimed wood flooring has many benefits. It is naturally attractive and will have gained character with age. No two reclaimed floors are likely to be the same. Reclaimed wood floors are also well seasoned and are not prone to shrinkage that may be found in newer woods. Green home owners may need to check what preservatives or other materials have been used on reclaimed woods, as some may have been treated in ways that would today not be regarded as being environmentally friendly.
Buying Environmentally Friendly Wood Floors
There are many environmentally friendly floor companies and green home builders who specialize in flooring. These can be a great source of information and can provide invaluable advice. Some online eco friendly wood floor companies include:
An eco-friendly wood floor can make an attractive addition to a home and is ideal for people who want a beautiful looking natural product that is also created without harming the environment.
