Many people are becoming more environmentally conscious and looking for sustainable flooring options. Hardwood is one of the most eco-friendly flooring options. It lasts longer than other flooring and is easy to refinish — so you can make it look as good as new without cutting down more trees.
A recent study found that consumers are becoming more mindful of purchasing sustainable products. Homeowners have extra incentives to build sustainably. Some states offer energy efficiency tax cuts, and homeowners can reduce energy bills while lowering their carbon footprint. However, most assume that hardwood floors are not sustainable. After all, don’t manufacturers cut down trees to create wood flooring?
Yes, they do, but this does not necessarily contribute to harmful deforestation! In fact, hardwood flooring can be the key to a green home. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, sustainable hardwood flooring must be sourced from protected, monitored and managed forests to ensure people can regrow the trees for generations. When you shop for sustainable flooring options, you help support these renewable practices.
Keep reading to learn more about eco-friendly flooring!
1. Cutting Down Trees for Hardwood Does Not Release Carbon
The world’s trees are often referred to as the “lungs of the earth.”
This is because trees absorb carbon dioxide in the air and release oxygen. Most living things, including humans, require oxygen to breathe and function.
Carbon dioxide is also arguably the biggest contributor to climate change. As a greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere, especially in high concentrations.
The result? Changes in global weather patterns, which can impact entire ecosystems, plant kingdoms, and species.
The general agreement is that we need trees in order to offset the harmful effects of carbon emissions. Eco-friendly consumers thus protest deforestation and the deliberate removal of forests.
However, when an older tree dies, a few things can happen. It can slowly biodegrade over time. Some landowners may burn the dead trees on their properties. Others may go up in flames in a natural wildfire.
When an older tree burns, the heat releases all of the carbon stored within that tree over the decades. That carbon goes back into the atmosphere, where it joins the other harmful emissions threatening the planet.
Cutting down older trees for hardwood, on the other hand, does not release stored carbon. Milling these trees for hardwood floors is also a carbon-neutral activity.
From a carbon perspective, hardwood floor sourcing is net-neutral!
2. Younger Trees Absorb More CO2 Than Older Trees
Younger trees take in more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than older trees do. Older trees take in less CO2, although they store all the carbon they’ve absorbed in their lifetime.
The ideal eco-friendly forests, then, would consist solely of young trees. Most forests, however, have a healthy mix of old and young trees.
Hardwood flooring typically comes from older trees, simply because they tend to have more established trunks – and more material.
When a manufacturer cuts down an old tree for flooring, this makes room for newer, younger trees. A greater percentage of young trees will mean a greater percentage of carbon absorbed from the air.
3. Wood Surpasses Concrete
Some homeowners prefer the look of a concrete floor. Concrete flooring is also cost-effective and useful for industrial settings.
However, as a building material, wood is far more eco-friendly than concrete.
Concrete processes consume more than wood processes, for one thing. It also emits more greenhouse gases. What’s more, concrete generates a whopping 225% more water pollutants than wood does!
Steel, another common building material, ranks similarly. It generates 300% more water pollutants than wood does, and contributes 15% more greenhouse gases.
Concrete is also far from biodegradable. In its raw, unmixed form concrete is environmentally friendly. But once it solidifies, concrete takes centuries to break down.
4. Hardwood Improves Home Energy Efficiency
One component of eco-friendly living is energy efficiency.
Well-insulated homes are more likely to retain heat and cold, reducing a home’s energy dependency. Some homeowners may use alternative energy sources, such as solar energy, to power their homes.
Home flooring can improve your home energy efficiency, provided you choose the right materials!
Wood has always been a fantastic insulator. Its cellular structure allows for multiple air pockets, which reduce heat conductivity.
When you install a hardwood floor in your home, you are effectively insulating it. What’s more, you are also minimizing the risks of heat loss during cooler seasons.
5. Let’s Talk About What’s in Carpeting
Carpet is another popular flooring choice. However, it is one of the least environmentally friendly flooring options out there!
Historically, carpets were made from wool, a natural and biodegradable textile. Today, most carpets are made of synthetic fibers. These are chemically derived and may consist of nylon, polyester, or polypropylene.
Polyester is made from petroleum and used in other processes to create fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are some of the biggest culprits of carbon emissions today.
Synthetic carpets are also nonbiodegradable. Their production processes alone produce copious amounts of greenhouse gases.
Hardwood floors are entirely free of synthetic materials. Furthermore, their production processes are energy-efficient and low-carbon.
6. Biodegradability
We’ve mentioned this term quite often in this post.
An object is biodegradable when it can completely and naturally decompose. It does not require additional processing to do so. Plus, all decomposed components are free of chemicals and other artificial ingredients, which can be harmful to soils.
Most raw food items, for example, are biodegradable. The same goes for naturally derived substances and materials.
Eco-friendly building materials often contain biodegradable elements, if they aren’t themselves entirely biodegradable.
Because wood comes from trees, it is entirely biodegradable! This means that centuries from now, your beautiful wood flooring could feasibly return to nature without any harmful effects.
Renewable wood floors, such as those made from bamboo or cork, are prime candidates for biodegradable, naturally sourced flooring.
The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Flooring
It’s vital to think about the environment when building or remodeling a home.
Doing so can save you money on energy bills. It can also reduce your carbon footprint, a necessary step for slowing the impact of climate change.
One of the best eco-friendly options is hardwood. While these floors do come from trees, they are generally sourced from older trees. These trees do not absorb as much carbon as younger trees. Plus, when they’re milled, they do not release any trapped carbon into the atmosphere.
Choosing eco-friendly flooring also improves air quality and offers durability. Eco-friendly flooring contributes to a healthier home because it doesn’t trap allergens, and it can last decades if well maintained. Plus, eco-friendly options like reclaimed wood have unique characteristics — each plank tells a story!
More Eco-Friendly Hardwood Flooring Options: Sustainable Choices for Your Home
If you want to use eco-friendly flooring, here are some sustainable flooring options.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is one of the most sustainable options and has gained popularity in recent years. It is strong, durable and aesthetically pleasing. It is also highly resistant to bending and scratches, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
Cork Flooring
If you want a water-resistant and durable option, cork flooring is making a major comeback. Cork is harvested from cork oak tree bark, and manufacturing it creates very little waste. It is ideal for spaces like the kitchen and bathroom that need water-resistant flooring. Cork flooring has a distinctive look and adds warmth to a room.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum flooring is made from renewable natural materials like cork dust, pine resin and linseed. It is an excellent option because it is flame-retardant, moisture-resistant, durable and available in many colors and designs. Due to its various patterns and colors, it complements all types of decor.
Reclaimed Wood Flooring
Reclaimed wood flooring is made from wood reused from old structures, such as barns. It makes splendid flooring due to the unique look of old wood. It is gaining popularity as more people look for ways to stand out.
Talk to a Professional About Eco-Friendly Flooring
Sustainable flooring is an excellent option for benefiting the environment and retaining your style. When you want to install eco-friendly flooring, a professional will help you determine the best choice for your home. If you’re interested in hardwood flooring, District Floor Depot is here to help. Contact us today to talk to a professional!