Flooring
Flooring options range from tile to wood, from cork to concrete, from linoleum to laminates — and then, of course, there's carpet. For allergy sufferers, non-carpet options allow good cleaning and easy removal of dust and other allergens. Older flooring options had little to do with environmental impact and more with aesthetics, but that approach has changed. When picking flooring options, people often consider both their health and the environment.
Wood
Wood flooring first came on the scene during the baroque period, around the late 1600s. But by the late 1800s and early 1900s, mass production and Victorian standards made wood the norm for flooring. Over the years, its popularity has waxed and waned. Today, wood is again a popular flooring alternative.
Wood flooring generally comes from domestic, exotic, or non-domestic forests. Wood flooring can also be remilled from other wood products and older flooring. Domestic flooring does not require the extensive shipping of exotics. Although hardwood flooring is a renewable resource, you need to be aware of the source of the wood you are considering.
Exotic wood is sometimes harvested from forests where conditions of the local ecology and population are not taken into account. This is especially true when low prices and competition encourage irresponsible harvesting. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) stamp of approval on wood and let it be a determining factor in your selection.
Gibson Guitar Corp. began using sustainable wood from South America back in the 1980s. The company works with the Rainforest Alliance and contracts farmers to supply wood, rather than use a broker who will get them the lowest price. Contractors farming the wood follow a management plan, harvesting the wood using sustainable methods.
The FSC is an international organization that works to promote responsible stewardship of Earth's forests by bringing together timber users, local foresters, and human rights and environmental organizations. Members include companies such as IKEA and groups such as Greenpeace.
Another option in wood is salvaged wood building material; there are companies that sell this wood and will cut it to specifications. Some salvagers have historical information on where the wood was recovered. Imagine walking on the same floor as soldiers from the Civil War.
The laying and sealing of wood flooring requires the application of glues and other materials that contain volatile organic compounds or formaldehyde. These compounds can be released, causing headaches, allergic reactions, or other health problems. Look for adhesives and sealants that contain non-formaldehyde or non-urea-formaldehyde.
Laminate
Laminate, which mimics the traditional wood floor, has become a popular option. It provides the same benefits as wood floor, with a reduction in sealants and the potential for better harvesting practices. Many more styles are available than when compared to its introduction in 1994.
Laminate floors are easier to install than wood floors, and many projects can be done by homeowners over a long weekend. Floating-type flooring offers planks with tongue-and-groove construction, making the planks easier to lock in place over the existing subfloor. There are some designs, however, that do require the use of glue. Laminate floors are also durable and easy to maintain.
Most laminates contain wood that may or may not have been responsibly harvested. The FSC has certified some types of laminates. Other environmental concerns include off-gassing of volatile organics and formaldehyde. These chemicals are used in the manufacturing of laminates and can be released after installation is completed. Because laminate does not contain preservatives or solvents, it is unlikely to spur allergic or asthmatic reactions.
Tile and Stone
Like the other non-carpet alternatives, tile and stone offer the same low-allergen amenities. Their smooth surface is not conducive to a thriving dust mite population and can be cleaned easily. Another consideration is durability. Stone and tile can last decades, meaning that manufacturing resources are conserved.
Depending on the sources of the tile and stone, there can be environmental impacts, however. The EPA requires mines to implement best management practices to avoid affecting stormwater and surface water in the area. Mine reclamation, or repairing the damage to mined lands, is more common now. In addition, depending on how far they are shipped, tile and stone can weigh heavily in terms of the impacts from transportation.
Tile is often made from clay mined throughout the United States. The industry is heavily tied to construction and renovation since the clay is used mainly to make clay floor tiles. The demand for decorative floor tiles has grown, resulting in more sophisticated automation processes within the industry.
Stone flooring comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. From pebbles to large slabs, stone flooring offers consumers a choice of numerous patterns and colors. Stone used in flooring is usually made of porcelain, limestone, marble, or granite. It is installed using relatively benign mortar and grout.
Cleaning ceramic tile floors doesn't have to rely on harmful chemicals. A mixture of a quarter cup of vinegar with one gallon of water can be used with a terry towel to clean up a tile floor. Spills should be wiped up immediately to avoid staining the grout. If the grout does become stained, a mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and half water can be sprayed on the grout and left to sit for ten minutes.
Many tile manufacturers use recycled tiles, glass, and even carpet or plastic fibers in their feedstock. Clear, brown, and green glass can be recycled and used to produce solid-color and decoratively designed tiles. As with wood, laminates are now made that mimic stone and tile flooring. Also like wood laminate, these floorings are produced with tongue-and-groove edges and can be installed to float above the existing floor.
Carpet
In the 1960s, carpet-manufacturing technology improved, and mills moved to the South where cheap labor could mass-produce the flooring. That move started the heyday of wall-to-wall carpet. Before long, shag was the rage, and then smaller loop and cut piles moved in. Carpet was made to be plush and soft.
While carpet does provide more padding and is softer to walk and sit on, it also harbors dirt, dust mites, and other allergens like mold. To avoid allergic reactions to dust mites, carpets must be vacuumed regularly. There is also concern that carpets emit volatile organics and collect pesticides that are used along with other indoor contaminants. To protect your lungs, leave the house while carpet is being installed. Following this with proper ventilation will make carpet installation less of an impact on the lungs.
As other products have included recycled material in their feedstock, so has carpet. Some manufacturers rely solely on recycled plastics to produce flooring. Several different brands are made from recycled soda bottles. Because this production relies on post-consumer material, it avoids disposal of waste products in landfills and incinerators. When choosing flooring options, you may be surprised by the recycled products are available.
Other Green Flooring Alternatives
Relatively new to the flooring world are sustainable cork and bamboo.
Cork flooring can be installed in much the same way as laminate and can be manufactured in a variety of colors and appearances, along with a natural cork appearance. It can even be made to look like stone or tile. With different colors available, flooring can be laid in complex or simple designs. An important feature to some is the cork's honeycomb design, which allows it to give slightly and makes it easier on the feet. This is particularly important to those who stand or cook quite a bit. The same honeycomb texture that provides comfort also absorbs noise.
Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees. Trees must be 25 to 30 years old before they can be harvested. They are not harmed in the harvesting process. The cork will grow back and be ready for harvesting in about 10 years. Half of the cork harvested for flooring comes from Portugal.
Because cork is giving and flexible, it can be installed on floors that aren't completely level, making it particularly useful in older homes where portions of the floor may have already settled. When choosing cork flooring, check to see that it's formaldehyde-free and that any varnish is water-based.
Bamboo is actually a grass and grows like a weed. It's hearty and can grow in poor-quality soil that is unsuitable for other crops in excess of one foot per day. Bamboo can be harvested in as short a time as three years. The majority of bamboo is grown in China and India; but the environmental impacts from shipping can offset the benefits of using this type of flooring.
When manufactured for durable flooring, bamboo maintains the appearance of hardwood but can be tinted different colors. Because it is wood, bamboo requires sealants and protective waxes. Shoppers and installers can check to see that sealants and waxes with little or no volatile organic compounds are used. Companies such as EcoTimber manufacture bamboo that is made using European adhesive, which is lower in volatile organics.
