Homebuilders looking for ways to update their design-center options and offer customers a wider range of environmentally responsible products are starting to discover the benefits of green flooring. From natural products such as sustainable timber to recycled-content carpet, green flooring options are an easy way for builders to show their commitment to the environment — and meet consumers' growing demand for green products.
To ensure that products qualify as a green or environmentally friendly building material, builders should evaluate each one before purchasing. Ask the following questions:
- Do the products have low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to reduce harmful off-gassing after installation?
- Are the products made from rapidly renewable and sustainable materials?
- Where were the products were made? Were large amounts of natural resources consumed in shipping them to the final job site?
- Will the materials be durable enough to last at least as long as traditional flooring materials?
Even with positive answers to these questions, builders should recognize that homeowners choose materials by aesthetics first. A successful product line of green flooring materials should have a wide selection of colors and styles to provide home buyers plenty of choices.
In order to find the right product that balances beauty, durability, healthfulness and environmental friendliness, you need a basic understanding of what the market currently offers.
Carpet
Lately, low VOC carpets are more the norm than the exception. Recent studies that linked poor indoor air quality to health issues have pushed the carpet industry to find alternative and healthier adhesives and backing materials. The Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Program (CRI) has established a rating system that sets standards for low VOCs. Looking for the "CRI Green Label Plus" logo is an important place to start.
Almost all carpet manufactured in the United States is made of nylon or olefin (polypropylene), and finding alternatives can be challenging. Wool carpets are a more organic choice, have attractive health and aesthetic attributes, and when properly maintained are as durable as synthetic carpets. However, for most homebuyers wool is cost-prohibitive.
A greener, more economical choice is recycled carpet. Though still a limited market, recycled carpet is growing in favor and availability in the building industry. Recycled content carpet fiber is made from used carpet, soda bottles and other plastics; manufacturers say it is more colorfast and durable than virgin fiber carpet. Priced about the same as first-run carpet, recycled carpet helps keep the landfills free of the estimated 5 billion pounds of carpet replaced each year.
