Sustainable flooring options have exploded in popularity over the last 5 years, as homeowners continue to look for sustainable materials when building a new home, or updating their current abodes.
But apart from being produced sustainably and environmentally friendly why else should you consider an eco-friendly flooring option? Bennetts Carpets explains more about why going green makes a lot of sense not only for the environment, but also for their wealth of other practical benefits.
What Makes A Floor Sustainable?
To be considered a truly ecofriendly floor made from sustainable materials the flooring should be made from recycled products or products that are sourced sustainably. There should also be potential for the flooring is able to be recycled at the end of its life. The amount of energy used to construct the flooring and the amount of adhesives and chemicals used to bind the flooring together are also taken into account in the overall environmental assessment of the floor covering.
What Are The Eco Flooring Options Available On The Market?
With manufacturers and flooring companies regularly touting the advantages of various eco-friendly flooring options it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed with all the choices. Here are the major choices in eco- friendly flooring available in the Australian market.
– Cork Flooring is harvested from the outer bark of the cork tree without harming the actual tree. With a similar colour and natural appeal of wood, cork floors were big in decades past but are now coming into vogue in new sustainable building developments.
– Bamboo Flooring is constructed from quick growing and sustainable bamboo plantations and comes with many benefits including durability, moisture resistance and a modern finish.
– Eco friendly carpet options are usually made from corn sugar and wool which uses much less energy and chemicals to make and manufacture. Polyester materials used in eco friendly carpet are even made from recycled soft drink bottles!
– Rubber Flooring is most often recycled from tyres and other rubber products. While not most people’s choice for the home, rubber flooring is ideal for commercial settings including gyms and athletic facilities, outdoor playgrounds. The material is also stain resistant and provides good insulation.
Do These Options Cost More?
There are no hard and fast rules about the prices of ecofriendly options when compared to standard options. Cork and bamboo can cost more than a vinyl floor when choosing quality, while other types of ecofriendly carpets are considerably cheaper than some of their non-sustainable counterparts. It all depends on the materials, the quality and the manufacturer.
For those considering ecofriendly carpet options, the Australian Carpet Institute has developed a environmental certification scheme to assess the level of environmentally friendly practices for carpet manufacturer’s which can be found on participating brands. Click the link above for more information.
And for more advice on ecofriendly flooring options in Brisbane, please come and see the Bennetts Carpets team at 77 Shore Street Cleveland to browse our ecofriendly floor covering range.
