As designers and homeowners alike become more conscious of their environmental impact, sustainable flooring is rising in popularity. Today’s consumers want floors that not only look beautiful and perform well, but also support a healthier planet. Whether you’re remodeling a single room or building a home from the ground up, understanding what sustainable flooring is can help you make a smarter, more responsible investment.
In this guide, we’ll break down what it actually means for flooring to be “sustainable” and the key factors you should consider while shopping. We will also highlight some of the best sustainable flooring materials available in the flooring market today and consider how hardwood flooring, traditionally believed to be one of the most sustainable flooring options due to its renewability, fits into the picture.
What Is Sustainable Flooring?
Sustainable flooring refers to flooring materials that are responsibly sourced, manufactured with minimal environmental impact, and built to stand the test of time. These floors are often made from renewable, recyclable, or reclaimed resources and may carry certifications that ensure ethical practices in harvesting and production.
In addition to its raw materials and construction, a flooring product’s “sustainability score” also would take into account the following:
- Longevity – How long will this flooring serve your home?
- Recyclability – What will happen to your flooring at the end of its life cycle?
- Manufacturing practices – How does the manufacturer maintain their energy use, emissions, and waste?
- Health considerations – Does this flooring support a clean interior environment? The most sustainable flooring will have low or no VOC emissions in its materials and finishes.
While sustainability might not be your only concern when choosing new flooring, it’s becoming increasingly important for those who want their home to reflect eco-conscious values, not to mention such practical considerations as long-term durability and indoor air quality.
What Are Some Factors That Make Flooring Sustainable?
It is safe to say that flooring products are not created equal when it comes to sustainability. Here are some key factors that determine whether a flooring product is truly eco-friendly:
1. Material Source
When it comes to sourcing of a flooring product, there are several important questions to consider:
- Is the material renewable? Although most wood could be considered “renewable” due to coming from trees that can be replanted, some woods are more renewable than others. For example, bamboo is especially renewable due to its fast growth, while oak grows in greater abundance than some other species of wood, which also contributes to renewability.
- Is it reclaimed or recycled? Reclaimed hardwood flooring repurposes hardwood salvaged from previous use in flooring or other structures. Some carpet manufacturers use recycled fibers to create more sustainable carpet products. In addition to being more eco-friendly, products made from reclaimed or recycled materials often lend unique character to the spaces they inhabit.
- Finally, certification symbols can tell you a lot of helpful information about a product. If hardwood is used, is the wood certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or other responsible forestry standards? Manufacturers that prioritize sustainability will usually list their certifications in a prominent place on their website or the product packaging.
2. Flooring Durability & Lifespan
Even though durability alone doesn’t determine a product’s sustainability, it is still an important part of the picture! The longer a floor lasts, the less frequently it needs to be replaced, reducing overall environmental impact. With proper care and/or refinishing, high-quality hardwood and engineered wood flooring can last decades.
3. Manufacturing Impact
Sustainable floors are made using low-emission manufacturing practices. Products with low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) are healthier for indoor air quality. Look up manufacturers to learn more about the health impact of their products.
4. Recyclability or Biodegradability
Consider your product’s disposal. Is the flooring recyclable? And if not, will it safely biodegrade after its useful life? Natural linoleum and cork are examples of flooring materials that may break down more easily than synthetics.
5. Installation & Maintenance Needs
For better or worse, what happens during installation also factors into whether a product is overall considered to be sustainable. Floors that require less adhesive or harsh chemical treatments during installation are better both for you and the environment.
After installation, long-term cleaning and maintenance needs are also something to think about. Flooring like laminate and vinyl plank, while not typically ranking as high for overall sustainability, are lower-maintenance to care for and require less frequent chemical cleaning, which also impacts the environment.
What Are Some of the Most Sustainable Flooring Materials?
With so many factors that affect a product’s sustainability, it can be overwhelming to think about which option is truly the best, especially since some of the products that are allegedly the “most sustainable” options often come at a higher price point. Luckily, there are more eco-friendly flooring options in the industry today than ever before. Here are some of the most sustainable flooring options worth considering:
1. Cork Flooring
- Why it’s sustainable: Cork flooring is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the tree. It is also naturally anti-microbial, sound-absorbing, and insulating.
2. Bamboo Flooring
- Why it’s sustainable: Although many people think of bamboo as a tree, the truth is it is actually a grass. As a grass, it both grows and regenerates quickly, often within 3–5 years, making it a more renewable alternative to traditional hardwood. It also has a unique look and feel that makes it an attractive choice for interiors.
3. Hardwood Flooring (Sustainably sourced)
- Why it’s sustainable: When sourced responsibly, wood is a renewable resource. Many top hardwood flooring brands and manufacturers use FSC-certified wood or reclaimed lumber. Some wood species are more renewable than others, so consider this as you are browsing hardwood products. Hardwood is also very durable and can usually be refinished multiple times throughout its lifetime.
4. Engineered Wood Flooring
- Why it’s sustainable: With a plywood base constructed from fast-growing species, engineered hardwood, one of the two main types of wood flooring, uses less solid wood than traditional hardwood, resulting in less eco waste. It also has added stability benefits and is often easier to install.
5. Reclaimed Wood Flooring
- Why it’s sustainable: Reclaimed wood flooring products are created from existing wood from barns, old buildings, or salvaged projects—reducing demand for new lumber. In addition to being a recycled material, reclaimed wood in your home adds both character and history and is an excellent option for those with a more eclectic style.
6. Linoleum
- Why it’s sustainable: This may surprise you, but most linoleum is constructed from natural materials like linseed oil, wood flour, and cork dust, making it biodegradable and often compostable. Despite their sometimes similar appearance, linoleum is not to be confused with vinyl flooring, which is not usually considered a sustainable option. Check with your manufacturer for more specific information.
7. Recycled Carpet
- Why it’s sustainable: Recycled carpet is made from post-consumer plastic bottles or other recycled materials. Many carpet tiles are made partly from recycled materials, but you can also purchase regular rolls of carpet that include recycled materials as well. Carpet tiles can also be practical for non-residential settings since they are modular and easier to replace than regular carpet.
8. Natural Wool Carpet
- Why it’s sustainable: Wool is considered to be a more sustainable carpet material because it is renewable, biodegradable, and often produced without synthetic chemicals.
It is also very comfortable, soft underfoot, and naturally insulating.
Why Hardwood is a Sustainable Flooring Option
And now, the section you have been waiting for–is hardwood flooring sustainable? The answer is, yes, hardwood flooring is a sustainable flooring option when it is sourced responsibly and maintained properly.
What makes sustainable wood flooring an eco-friendly choice?
- Renewability: Wood is a natural resource that can be replanted and regrown fairly easily in the United States. For instance, oak is one of the most abundant wood species available and is often sourced from managed forests.
- Certification Guarantees: Look for products that have the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certification, which ensure responsible forest management and provide you with the peace of mind knowing your hardwood came from a sustainable source.
- Long Lifespan: Solid hardwood flooring can last for decades and be refinished multiple times, reducing waste over time if it is kept and maintained well. Make sure to follow best practices for cleaning your hardwood floors to help protect it for the long term.
- Availability of Low-VOC Finishes: Many modern hardwoods come with eco-friendly finishes that emit fewer harmful chemicals into your home. Look for water-based finishes or ones made from natural oil. This is especially important to consider if members of your household have asthma or allergies that affect breathing.
What about engineered hardwood?
Engineered hardwood flooring is also a sustainable hardwood flooring option. Constructed of a thin layer of regular, solid wood over an assembled plywood base, engineered hardwood makes use of the whole tree, ensuring less waste in production. It’s more dimensionally stable, uses fewer resources, and can be more affordable while still offering the beauty of natural wood. It is also visually indistinguishable from its solid hardwood counterparts once installed.
Ready to choose sustainability for your floors?
Although it has gained popularity in recent years, sustainable flooring is much more than just a trend—it is a meaningful way to reduce your home’s environmental footprint while creating a space that’s healthy, durable, and beautiful. From rapidly renewable materials like bamboo and cork, to recycled flooring and carpet products, to responsibly sourced hardwood and engineered wood flooring, there are eco-friendly flooring options for every style and budget.
At Floor Concepts, we want to help you make a sustainable choice for your flooring. We are proud to offer a selection of eco-friendly and sustainable hard surface flooring and carpet options to the Pittsburgh area. Stop by our Wexford showroom where our team is here to help you find a flooring solution that matches your style, budget, and values. Contact us today to explore sustainable flooring materials for your next project, or book a free in-home measurement to get started.
