Eco-friendly Flooring (part 2)

Getting some green beneath your feet should be a top priority in any healthy and stylish home. Recently we began discussing greener flooring options and compared the environmental characteristics of wood, bamboo and cork floors. Here, we continue our quest for better flooring by looking at carpeting and recycled rubber, subfloors and more.

A healthier choice

Eco-friendly usually means human-friendly, too. If not to save our forests and cut down on waste, a good reason to switch to greener flooring is our health. Many conventional products—especially carpet and vinyl—emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through a process known as off-gassing. VOCs are harmful chemicals used in the manufacturing process, and they are released into the air inside our homes over time. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, they may lead to poor indoor air quality and can greatly affect allergy or asthma sufferers, or anyone who is sensitive to chemicals. Off-gassing can continue for weeks or months after the flooring is installed.

Another health concern (also mentioned in Part 1 of this home reno series) is formaldehyde, contained in many floor glues and sealants. It can irritate the lungs, pollute the air, and has even been linked to cancer. Thankfully, greener alternatives exist, including formaldehyde-free glues and sealants—and, better still, adhesive-free tongue-and-groove installation.

Care for carpet?

You may have children, or simply desire the warmth and comfort of carpets. Traditionally, carpet has been made from non-renewable petrochemicals, off-gasses VOCs, and has a short lifespan (meaning it frequently winds up in landfills). But behold these new green carpeting choices! Carpet company Interface, a leader in business sustainability, has pioneered carpet tiles—an alternative to conventional carpeting that minimizes waste. Its low-VOC FLOR tiles, made with nylon and natural fibres, as well as a backing of recycled rubber, are designed to be returned (at no cost to the owner) and recycled at the end of their life span. They come in many colours and patterns, and can be easily rearranged to change a room’s appearance. Catherine Bottoni, manager at Toronto’s Green Design Studio , says FLOR is by far one of the most popular choices among customers looking for green flooring.

Another eco-option is biodegradable carpets. Earth Weave makes totally biodegradable carpeting from natural fibres—including a natural jute backing. “If you cut it up and throw it in your garden, it’s supposed to biodegrade,” adds Bottini. You can also try wool carpeting from Canada’s Nature’s Carpet. Wool is a durable, sustainable and biodegradable resource that lends itself to nearly any décor.

Instead of choosing wall-to-wall carpeting, you might want to pick up a few eco-friendly natural-fibre area rugs, such as Merida Meridian’s. Always look for renewable materials, such as wool, sea grass, sisal (from the agave plant) and jute.

Skip the vinyl

Although it may be convenient—easy to clean, and perfect for a kitchen or bathroom—think twice before installing vinyl flooring. Also known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl is a plastic that creates big problems for the environment and human health. According to Environmental Defence, PVC “emits toxic chemicals from manufacturing to disposal,” including dioxin, and additives such as phthalates. The latter are added to PVC products to make them softer and more flexible, but have been associated with hormone disruption and other health problems.

As a green and safe alternative to vinyl, choose natural linoleum, which is made from sustainable ingredients such as linseed oil, cork flour, rosin and jute. Marmoleum is one brand that’s widely available in Canada. It comes in 150 colours, has a long life span and can be used anywhere in the home. It’s also easy to clean and, like cork, it’s warm and comfortable to walk on. You can purchase it in sheets (to be installed with a solvent-free adhesive) or as click-in-place tiles (no adhesive needed).

Other great green floors

You might not have guessed it, but our old coats, bottles and bike tires can be turned into some of the trendiest flooring options out there. Whatever your taste, from minimalist to multi-coloured, the array of creative new eco-floors are sure to please. For example:

• Leather floors : Torlys, a Canadian eco-floor company, makes these stylish floors from 100 percent recycled leather (from jacket and belt leftovers) and a recycled cork underlay.
  
• Recycled glass floors: Canadian company ECO takes glass otherwise destined for the landfill and uses it to create colourful, patterned, textured floors for both inside and outside.
  
• Recycled rubber floors: these floors, made from recycled tires and other rubber, are becoming quite popular. They come in different colours and designs, and can look stylish in any room—not just a home gym.
  

What lurks beneath: Subflooring

Below your carpet or cork, subfloors also deserve some attention, since many are formed with plywood, particleboard and other composites. These, too, contain formaldehyde, according to Environmental Defence. Instead, opt for a solid wood subfloor. And remember, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification can ensure that whatever wood is being used is coming from a sustainable source, or is post-consumer recycled.

That’s a wrap

With the green home market expanding, eco-friendly flooring is poised to grow—until there’s no excuse to stick with conventional, polluting and unhealthy floors. Indeed, green options are out there, says Maia Becker, vice-president of FSC Canada, but it’s crucial for consumers to inform themselves to avoid greenwashing. For example, customers shouldn’t be afraid to ask their contractor or supplier for proof of third-party certification (usually marked on the product’s box, or on the invoice from the supplier). And, if someone tells you eco-flooring doesn’t exist, Becker says to keep pushing—because it’s out there.

The Green Living Guides are a great place to start your search, but don’t forget to check your neighbourhood home-renovation store. Even big-box stores have begun to carry green flooring options.