Top 5 "Green Flooring" Qualities

What makes flooring green?

When considering what makes a floor green, many stop at considering what the flooring is made of and how these materials are obtained. But it takes more than being made with recycled content or with a renewable resource to make a floor truly green. Let's take a look at FindAnyFloor's list of the Top 5 Green Flooring Qualities.

1. Flooring can have a large effect on the indoor air quality (IAQ) in a home. In order for a floor to be considered green, whether it is hardwood, bamboo, cork, linoleum, carpet, tile, or any other floor covering, it should emit low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Note: While many VOCs are harmless, especially in small amounts, some are toxic and can cause coughing, sneezing, breathing problems, and other health issues. Some volatile organic compounds are also considered to be carcinogens (cancer causing agents).
2. For a floor to be truly green, the manufacturer must exhibit social responsibility in which they educate their employees and customers on the importance of green living and green business practices. They must also "practice what they preach" by using environmentally responsible manufacturing and distribution methods that reduce their carbon footprint and conserve our planet's natural resources.
3. A big part of what makes a floor green or not green is what the flooring is made of. Eco–friendly floors are commonly made of either pre–consumer or post–consumer recycled content or are made with renewable materials. Green flooring should also be biodegradable or recyclable at the end of its lifecycle.
4. Another large factor that should be considered is the distance that the raw materials traveled to reach the manufacturing plant, as well as how far the finished product traveled to reach your local floor store. By choosing locally manufactured flooring that uses locally acquired materials, you can greatly reduce your floor's carbon footprint, making it greener.
5. When it comes to installing and cleaning green flooring, the installation and maintenance products and methods used can also have an effect on the indoor environmental quality. By choosing supporting materials for your installation and flooring maintenance products that are eco–friendly (i.e. green flooring adhesives, underlayments, cushions, sealers, grout, finishes, cleaners, and more) you can create a truly green flooring system.

There you have it – our Top 5 Green Flooring Qualities. For more information specific to each type of flooring, visit Green.FindAnyFloor.com, your online green flooring information resource.