Wood
Hardwood floors are a favorite of homeowners, and fortunately finding environmentally favorable options is easier than ever before. Even for homeowners who want to stick with traditional wood flooring, getting sustainable flooring materials is possible if you know where to look and what to look for.
Sustainable timber harvesting and processing means that trees and the forest environment are managed in such a way as to not permanently damage the local eco-system. Even hardwoods that have a long growth period are now finding their way into the sustainable wood market. Several organizations have started certification programs to mark wood products as being produced from sustainable forests. One organization, the Forest Stewardship Council, offers a product search engine on their website, as well as LEED certification credits. Reclaimed wood from demolition, plantation-grown timber and salvaged wood from land clearing and forest fires are also good sources for real wood floors.
Linoleum
Often confused with its ugly cousin vinyl flooring, linoleum is one of the most environmentally responsible flooring materials a home buyer can request. Made from rosin (tree sap), wood flour (reclaimed from lumber mills), cork flour (from sustainable cork tree bark), and linseed oil (pressed from flax plants), linoleum can satisfy almost all of the requirements a builder might have for green products.
Because of the organic nature of the ingredients, linoleum will biodegrade in landfills without off-gassing, or it can be burned in power-generating furnaces. Innovative styles in linoleum have also made installation easier. The new "click" system by Forbo Flooring's brand Marmoleum doesn't require any glue or adhesive; it works off a tongue and groove design. Some Forbo products apply credits to LEED certification in the materials and resources categories, as well as the indoor environment quality category.
Whether pursing a certification from LEED or your local green building association, going green and being selective with materials can offer builders many benefits. As builders try to differentiate themselves in the local market, going green can be a great way to stand out from the crowd. With the choices in flooring on the market today, taking the environmentally friendly route has never been easier.
Andrew Hunt is a freelance writer who specializes in building technology and green building.
