Eco-Friendly Flooring: The Best Sustainable Choices For Your Home
INTRODUCTION
As environmental awareness grows, more homeowners are seeking sustainable options for their living spaces. Flooring, as one of the largest surface areas in any home, represents a significant opportunity to make an eco-conscious choice that benefits both your family and the planet.
Lumber Liquidators has an ample selection of environmentally responsible floors across multiple categories. From sustainably harvested hardwoods to innovative recycled materials, we offer options to suit every lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preference.
THE SPECTRUM OF SUSTAINABILITY
If you’re like many homeowners, then you may be under the assumption that flooring options are either “green,” or they aren’t. Counter to that belief, however, there are multiple attributes that plays into sustainability, and different products excel in various areas. To make informed decisions about your home’s flooring, consider these key factors:
1. Sustainable Resource Use: When it comes to flooring, environmental responsibility begins with sustainable sourcing of materials. Floors made with renewable and recyclable resources offer a greater degree of sustainability.
2. Manufacturing Processes: Energy usage, water consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions all contribute to a product’s environmental impact.
3. Transportation Impact: Domestically sourced and manufactured products generally have a lower carbon footprint than those shipped from overseas.
4. Product Lifespan: The longer a floor can last, the more sustainable it is, as it won’t need to be replaced as often.
THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING
Another widespread assumption is that eco-friendly options will cost you more while doing less, but when you think about long-term impacts, the benefits of sustainability are plain to see:
1. Longevity: The right floor can last for years and years, meaning you don’t need to replace it as often. The less frequently you need to replace your flooring, the lower its environmental impact and lifetime cost.
2. Energy Efficiency: Natural materials (like hardwood) offer inherent insulation that can improve your home’s energy efficiency. This can translate to potential savings on heating and cooling costs over time.
3. Healthier Home Environment: Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) flooring contributes to better indoor air quality, which may reduce allergy symptoms and respiratory issues.
Here at Lumber Liquidators, we’re committed to helping you make the most informed decisions about your home’s flooring, and our range of is curated to provide both beauty and long-term value. Let’s take a look at what that selection includes, shall we?
When it comes to eco-friendly flooring options, hardwood is the natural choice. Not only is it a renewable resource -- it possesses additional benefits that make it an attractive option for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint while beautifying their space.
A key benefit of hardwood is the fact that trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and this stored carbon remains in the wood even after it’s harvested and installed as flooring. Plus, as a natural resource, solid hardwood requires minimal processing and chemical treatments during manufacturing.
Choosing domestic species of hardwoods is a great way to go. American hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory are grown in forests where growth exceeds harvest, ensuring that the supply of these resources remains ample. By selecting locally sourced hardwoods, you’re reducing transportation emissions associated with imported woods, which can significantly lower the overall carbon footprint of your flooring.
Another advantage of hardwood is its longevity. Bellawood hardwood, for instance, is backed by a 100-year residential warranty, meaning fewer replacements of the floor over time and reduced waste/manufacturing impact. Many historic homes still showcase their original hardwood floors after more than a century of use, demonstrating the durability and sustainability of this flooring option.
One final benefit worth mentioning is the ability to refinish solid hardwood floors multiple times. This process removes surface damage without replacing the entire floor, extending its lifespan. With regular refinishing, a well-maintained solid hardwood floor can remain in place for generations.
Engineered hardwood has become a popular choice for environmentally conscious homeowners due to its sustainable features, durability, and versatility. This flooring option combines natural hardwood veneers with other materials to create an exceptionally stable floors.
One of the keys to engineered hardwood’s eco-friendliness is the manufacturing process. By carefully combining layers of specifically chosen material, excess is minimized – reducing waste during production. Additionally, many manufacturers sustainably source their raw materials from responsibly manufactured managed forests.
And, similarly to solid hardwood, engineered hardwood veneers can be sanded and refinished multiple times, increasing their lifespan and further promoting the measured use of resources. By choosing engineered flooring, you’re supporting responsible practices while upgrading your home with a beautiful and long-lasting foundation.
Our innovative ReNature vinyl plank combines cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly materials to create a remarkable flooring solution.
At the heart of ReNature’s revolutionary composition is its use of 25% recycled content, which sets it apart from traditional vinyl flooring.
The second standout feature of ReNature is the fact that it’s made with no polyvinyl choloride. PVC, as it is commonly known, can contain chemicals that negatively affect indoor air quality. ReNature mitigates this issue, and can contribute to a healthier indoor environment for your family.
ReNature’s eco-friendly credentials are just one aspect of its appeal – it also offers exceptional performance characteristics that will withstand the demands of busy households and commercial spaces alike.
ROOM-BY-ROOM SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
LIVING SPACES
For living spaces (living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, etc.), you’ll want to prioritize flooring that creates a serene and beautiful environment. Here are some essential characteristics to look for:
1. Comfort: Living spaces should be inviting and relaxing. Choose flooring that adds warmth and character to the room.
2. Durability: With busy households and pets, it’s essential to select flooring that can withstand heavy foot traffic and spills.
3. Maintenance: Cleaning and maintaining flooring should be easy and hassle-free.
Now, with these attributes in mind, let’s explore some popular options that fit the bill:
Kitchens and bathrooms are water-prone zones in every home, requiring special consideration when choosing flooring. Here are some essential attributes to look for in flooring suitable for kitchens and bathrooms:
1. Water-Resistance: A must-have for moisture-prone areas, helping floors remain dry and damage-free.
2. Durability: The kitchen is often the busiest room in a home, requiring flooring that can withstand heavy use while maintaining beauty.
3. Ease Of Maintenance: It’s not unusual to make a mess in the kitchen or bathroom, so easy cleaning is an essential attribute.
With these attributes in mind, let’s explore some popular options for kitchens and bathrooms:
Below-grade spaces present a set of unique challenges when it comes to flooring -- concrete subfloors, moisture concerns, a need for insulation –- so it’s essential to choose your materials with care. Here are some key attributes to look for in flooring suitable for below-grade spaces:
1. Durability: Flooring in below-grade spaces can be under increased stress, so durability will help it last.
2. Water-Resistance: Below-grade spaces require flooring that can withstand moisture and potential humidity fluctuations.
3. Insulation: Insulating flooring can improve comfort and energy efficiency in below-grade spaces.
With these attributes in mind, let’s explore some popular eco-friendly options from our selection:
The journey toward sustainable flooring begins right here at Lumber Liquidators! We’re committed to helping you find the perfect solution for your home:
1. Visit Us Online: Browse our selection of eco-flooring options on our website, where you can filter by material, budget, and design style.
2. Head To Your Local Store: At your nearest Lumber Liquidators showroom, you’ll be able to see, touch, and compare our flooring in person.
3. Get Personalized Guidance: Speak with one of our flooring experts to discuss your specific needs and preferences and narrow down your options.
Making an eco-friendly flooring choice doesn’t mean compromising on what your family needs. With our expansive selection, you can create a beautiful space that enhances your home for years to come.
Coronado Oak
