Are you looking for sustainable flooring? Then you've come to the right place! You probably want to change the flooring in your home soon. Or maybe you're building a house and just want to get everything right from the start. Either way, it's great that you're pursuing the attitude of to live as environmentally friendly as possible.
In this article, I would like to introduce you to the healthiest, most sustainable floor coverings and show you exactly what you need to look out for when assessing the sustainability of flooring. Let's go!
Here is in advance a small Overview about the contribution:
8 healthy and sustainable floors
We all agree: the most sustainable floor is certainly the one you don't buy. In the spirit of Zero Waste Lifestyle you should first polish and maintain the existing one before you think about buying a new one.
A new purchase is unavoidable? Before you decide on a flooring material, you should first think about what requirements your future floor must fulfill. For example, does it need to be water-repellent or particularly quiet? And what color should it be? No matter which flooring you end up with: nothing is less sustainable than having to change it again after just a few months.
However, a truly ecological floor is ultimately dependent on other factors. I would like to briefly list these here:
- Durability
- Care
- Lifetime
- Indoor air quality
- Renewability
- Investment and utilization costs
- Energy input during production
- Disposal
I would now like to use these factors to introduce you to the promised sustainable floor coverings. In the end, simply use this knowledge to make your final decision a little easier.
1. tiles
As a rule, German brand tiles are manufactured from local, natural raw materials under the strictest environmental protection regulations. Modern firing technology, short transportation routes and the processing of natural, regional raw materials such as clay and feldspar ensure that the production process is as sustainable as possible. As these are Durable natural material tiles do not contain any harmful substances and are extremely durable. They are also recyclable, heat-resistant and very easy to clean. Tiles are therefore one of the most sustainable floor coverings on the market.
2. wood
Timeless solid wood floorboards usually withstand the demands of several generations and are relatively easy to refurbish. As the popular wooden floor is Deforestation of the forests you should always take a close look at possible seals. The international FSC seal label recognizes wood from sustainable forestry. If the floor of your choice has this seal, this is already an important step.
Also make sure that more environmentally friendly resins are used in the production of the flooring instead of formaldehyde resins. Dispersion glues or vegetable glues can be used. Oiling the wood with hard oil is also more environmentally friendly than sealing with varnish.
Tip: The very fast-growing bamboo wood can also be considered as sustainable flooring. If it has not been transported over long distances from Asian countries, this robust and easy-care flooring material is basically ideal.
3. concrete floor
As I like the industrial style and try to live as minimally as possible, I am of course absolutely thrilled with a polished concrete floor. Not only because of its look, but also because of its sustainability. Even though it is very energy-intensive to produce, it is characterized by its extreme robustness and durability. It is also already cool in the summer months and pleasantly warm in winter - This in turn saves energy costs for heating and air conditioning. The sustainable floor covering is also free of harmful substances.
You like the industrial style too? Then be sure to check out my homemade dining table from old oak planks on!
4. vinyl
Vinyl floors may not yet have the best reputation because in the past they were not made without plasticizers. However, EU regulations are now extremely strict and the floors are not made exclusively from plastics. Even if you always have to take a closer look, there are now many PVC-free design floorsthat are extremely durable. They are also versatile in their appearance: whether country house look, plank look or tile look - basically anything is possible.
And how to care for a Vinyl flooring? In the end, maintenance is absolutely uncomplicated and possible without chemical cleaners. Whether a vinyl floor is sustainable or not can ultimately be determined by the philosophy of the respective supplier. A pioneer in terms of sustainable flooring materials is definitely the company casandoThis applies not only to flooring, but also to fences, wall cladding and building materials, ecological footprint respects.
5. natural stone
Even though natural stone is a finite material, its timeless, water-repellent and extremely robust properties make it one of the most sustainable floor coverings. How sustainable it is ultimately depends on its Production and of course From the stone itself from. Sandstone from the region, for example, would be more environmentally friendly than a granite stone that was shipped to Germany by sea.
6. cork
Cork is a great soil material and fortunately too 100 percent biodegradable. If you walk on it, you will soon feel that it is extremely soft, warm and wonderfully quiet. Cork is also particularly environmentally friendly as a floor covering because it is recyclable is. The fact that cork flooring is hypoallergenic compared to carpets contributes to a healthier living environment.
7. linoleum
I always used to think that floors made from hard-wearing Linoleum are made from artificial components. But today I know that linoleum is made exclusively from made from natural products such as jute, resins, chalk and linseed oils consists of. The latter even gave the flooring its name. However, it also serves as a sustainable floor because it often survives many generations and is extremely easy to clean. Linoleum is also a healthy floor covering that is very hygienic and ideal for allergy sufferers.
8. textiles
Carpets can be particularly sustainable if they are made from renewable, natural raw materials. This is the case, for example, with carpets made from Sisal, jute, coconut fibers or Hemp the case. However, the sustainability of textile flooring can suffer due to its rather short lifespan compared to wood or tiles and the high level of maintenance required.
When buying new, be sure to look for the GUT seal (Gemeinschaft umweltfreundlicher Teppichboden e. V.), which contributes significantly to ecological improvements in the production of carpets and to their better health compatibility.
Natural, sustainable flooring - for health and the environment!
Now you have learned about some environmentally friendly flooring materials that are suitable for your construction or renovation project. But also remember that the Sustainability depends not only on the material itself, but also on how you use it. In the case of heavily used areas, for example, it makes sense to cover the "walkways" with carpet runners. It is also advisable to fit underlays under heavy furniture. In this way, you protect the floor and benefit from a significantly longer service life.
Do you have any questions about this article on ecological floor coverings and flooring? Then I look forward to your comment!
Stay sustainable,
PS: An ecological, long-lasting floor is an important step towards a sustainable future. more sustainable life. Find out in the article about the Reduce your ecological footprintwhat else you can do!
