Finding the right flooring solution for every room in your home is neither easy nor exciting for some people, but others find it the most satisfying thing in the world! Everyone with a sense of style and some home-decorating skills is just waiting for a project like this to show off their ideas on interior design and the way it could make their lives a bit better on a daily basis. And if you too are currently in the process of choosing flooring solutions, be sure to pick a sustainable, environmentally safe and energy-efficient option. Here are a few you might want to try out.
Vinyl
Reaching sustainability in every possible sense is the imperative of our society and doing whatever we can to save our planet is always appreciated. So, if you’re among the people opting for eco-friendly and cheap materials, instead of unnecessarily expensive solutions, vinyl is precisely what you’re looking for.
Although it seems new and ultra-modern, vinyl has actually been around for quite some time now and it has a rather rich history that can guarantee you quality, durability and nice design. The choices available on the market are very versatile and you can pick basically any color, texture and combination you can think of. Finally, vinyl is highly adaptable to all spaces and, since it’s made using recycled materials, you can repurpose and reuse it again and again whenever you feel tired of it.
Carpets and rugs
This is another classic idea that manages to stay relevant and appealing even today, although most people think it peaked a few decades ago. On the contrary, wall-to-wall carpeting is now more popular than ever due to its sustainability effect that lots of environmentally-aware people just love. The main reason why carpets are so appreciated is their insulation effect – due to their thickness and wool-based structure, they can make your home much warmer in the winter, minimizing your need for additional heating. This way, carpets can help you save money, energy and electricity at the same time!
The same goes for rugs as well, especially if you pick high-quality floor rugs that not only look amazing, but also make your floors much cozier. When browsing through the options available on the market, be sure to pick rugs made from natural or recycled materials that take sustainability to a whole new level. And if you incorporate them into every room of your home, you’ll create an energy-efficient trend all your guests will notice and appreciate.
Bamboo
This is another unusual solution that most people wouldn’t even think of when installing floors in their homes, but it’s also one of the most sustainable and energy-efficient ideas out there. Unlike previous choices, bamboo flooring hasn’t always been the most popular part of the entire home-improvement movement, yet its popularity has been constantly rising in the past several years because of one simple reason – it’s among the most renewable sources available to us nowadays!
Since bamboo generally matures in about four or five years, it’s much more affordable and available to manufacturers than, for example, oak or cherry tree that needs around four or five decades to reach full flooring-worthy maturity and quality. Furthermore, this idea has a number of other benefits as well, including low price, world-wide availability, elegant design, coziness, durability, applicability and easy installation process. Therefore, opting for bamboo flooring means you’ll be getting a strong and reliable floor that’s bound to last for decades to come, all at an extremely affordable price – not to mention the chance to do your share of helping Planet Earth!
Other ideas
Some of the other sustainable flooring materials that will also save you a ton of energy in the long run include cork, hardwood, recycled rubber, tile, reclaimed timber, concrete and stone. And if you pair these with proper insulation and a great floor heating system, your floors will be warm and energy-efficient all year long!
Written 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.
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