6 Eco-Friendly Flooring Options to Make Your Home More Sustainable
08.01.2018 GREEN LIVING 0.0 0

There are a multitude of reasons why installing energy-efficient flooring is more than viable, and saving money is only one of them. However, there are many options to choose from, and not only in terms of material. What better way to protect our environment than by opting for comfort and something that will definitely pay off in the long run? Here are some ideas to get you started.

 

Floor heating

This trend has been around for quite some time now, but the main difference is that nowadays it is no longer a luxury of the richest. As a matter of fact, floor heating can turn out very energy efficient, especially if you opt for radiant floor heating. How does this technology differ from the typical forced-air and baseboard heating? Well, duct losses account for a ton of wasted energy and the mentioned radiant floor heating completely eliminates this detriment.

 

As for the downsides of this phenomenal piece of technology, it hugely depends on the floor material. Here’s an example: wood is an insulator, it doesn’t let heat pass through; ceramic tiles, natural stone and laminate, however, can fit the radiant floor heating solution perfectly.

 

Bamboo

While floor heating can be an awesome solution for laminate, natural stone and ceramic surfaces, wooden materials still account for the majority of households. A sustainable timber floor alternative, bamboo shares similar characteristics with hardwood, while being more durable, widely available, easy-to-install and, quite frankly, gorgeous! It is also light, convenient and offers a wide variety of shades and colors to perfectly match your décor!

 

You may wonder what it is exactly that makes this flooring trend sustainable. Quite simply, bamboo grows very fast – it reaches full maturity in five years at most!

 

Hardwood

Despite the fact that bamboo is essentially a durable, more available alternative to hardwood, sustainability is reflected in more than market availability. First of all, hardwood is significantly more energy efficient than bamboo. Why? Well, hardwood floors are perfect insulators; install them properly and this flooring option will retain the hot/cold air inside during winter/summer, which plays a key role in decreasing electricity usage.

 

Hardwood enables you to go even more out of your way to properly insulate your home; for example, some options include pre-installed foam base, which is an excellent vapor barrier.

 

Cork

While bamboo may be incredibly sustainable and gorgeous on sight, cork is definitely its worthy competitor. Firstly, cork has great acoustic and thermal qualities and is fire-resistant, insect-resistant and hypoallergenic. Stable and renewable, cork has an insulating R-value of 1.125 to brag about, and there’s a solid explanation for this – it tends to have 60 to 100 million cells per cubic inch that essentially act as air pockets. What does this mean? Well, these cells put cork at the top of the non-conductor list in terms of heat!

 

Carpeting

There’s more to carpeting than floor-protective and decorative purposes. For example, opt for those made out of wool and you’ll have an even more insulated home! One of the main benefits here: they can be easily moved for potential plumbing/cleaning needs. Practical, warm and stylish, carpeting is an excellent addition to your home that both decorates and protects your flooring. There are many Australian experts in flooring installation in Sydney who also offer carpeting services – this is the best option.

 

Natural stone

In addition to being a perfect match for radiant floor heating, natural stone also has insulating properties; although, of course, nowhere near those that hardwood offers. So, here’s how natural stone helps retain heat/cold: it warms up/cools down and radiates heat/cool air for extended time periods. Best used in areas that are subject to varying climates, natural stone is an excellent option for bathrooms.

 

Bear in mind that all of the mentioned flooring solutions only insulate – even wool carpeting cannot generate heat. This is why you should start with radiant floor heating and only then pick your flooring material in accordance with your comfort and aesthetical needs and preferences. This being said, all of the mentioned options are eco-friendly, but can be combined into an ultimate sustainable combo!

Guest post by Carolin Petterson

 

 

About the Author

Carolin Petterson is a Business Lady and contributor for number of high-class websites. She loves to share her experiences and talk about practical solutions, but her specialties are sustainability, sustainable business and green living.

 

 

Other articles written by Carolin:

How to Greenovate Your Bathroom

Green Flooring Options for a Healthy Home

Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Flooring Solutions for Your Home

Eco-Friendly Interior Design Ideas

3 Essential Energy-Saving Waterproofing Techniques to Protect Your Home

The Environment and the Economy Are in Danger: What Can We Do?

5 Tips for Starting Your Own Construction Rental Company

How to Make Your Home Greener and More Energy-Efficient

Spice Up Your Home with These 4 Energy-Efficient Remodeling Ideas

What You Can Do to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Renovate Your Home

Storage Space in Your Home – The Pillar of Sustainability

5 Ways to Create Energy-Efficient Homes

4 Pillars of Energy-Efficient Home Remodeling

 

 


TAGS:sustainable living, sustainability, green living

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