Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is one of the more
cost–effective green floors on the market. For less money than cork or bamboo, you can enjoy many of the same
eco–friendly
characteristics. Resources used in linoleum manufacturing, such as pine resin, wood flour and linseed oil, are renewable and
biodegradable. Linoleum also has the capacity to be
recycled and used for new flooring. If not recycled, linoleum can naturally decompose without posing a threat to the
environment. This is unlike vinyl flooring, which releases
toxic chemicals into the atmosphere when burned.
Pros
- Can be recycled and used to make new flooring
- Is made almost entirely of organic and sustainable materials
- Very durable and can last up to 40 years if properly cared for. This can help reduce waste as a result of floor
replacement
- Does not contain asbestos or VOCs such as formaldehyde
- Color is applied all the way through the linoleum. This can help disguise damage and, consequently, prevent waste as a
result of floor replacement
- Does not need to be sealed or polished as often as vinyl flooring
Cons
- Adhesives used in linoleum installation could contain VOCs
- Cultivation of some of the materials used to make linoleum (e.g. jute, linseed oil, flax and pine) can result in
fertilizer and pesticide run–off
Green Flooring Tips – Linoleum
- Rather than throw your old linoleum floors away, donate them to a reclamation center so they can be used to make new
flooring
