Flooring

PROJECT: REPLACING WITH GREEN FLOORING

When choosing new flooring, give the most consideration to the durability of the product. The longer a product lasts, the greener it is. There are, however, other considerations. Be sure that the flooring you choose is appropriate to the activities that it will support. Carpet, while soft on the feet, should never go in the bathroom, for example, as this can lead to mold growth.

Be sure that you consider indoor air quality. Many flooring choices can off-gas toxic chemicals once they are installed in your home. It is important to minimize your household’s exposure to these harmful chemicals. Other considerations are whether the flooring contains any recycled content, whether it can be recycled at the end of its lifetime and whether it comes from a sustainably-harvested source. Finally, of course, you will want to consider aesthetics and personal preference.

Flooring Choice Considerations:

- Durability
- Intended Use
- Does the product off-gas toxic chemicals?
- Is the flooring made from recycled materials?
- Is the flooring recyclable at the end of its lifetime?
- Is the flooring made from sustainably-harvested materials?
- Aesthetics

Green Flooring 101: Carpet

Minimize Carpet Use

Carpeting carries with it a number of problems. First, the glues used in carpeting often off-gas toxic chemicals long after the carpet has been installed. Children, who tend to spend a lot of time on or near the floor, are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of inhaling VOCs.

Secondly, carpet traps dust mites, pet dander and other allergens. Those with allergies might find their symptoms much reduced when not living in carpeted areas. Finally, carpeting can be a source for mold growth since moisture can easily be trapped in slow-drying fibers and the unseen underlayment.

Unfortunately, even frequent vacuuming and cleaning cannot eliminate all of the problems associated with carpet. It is better to install a hard flooring surface then use washable rugs to create a softer feeling underfoot.

Minimize Carpet VOC exposure

If you choose carpeting for certain rooms, the Carpet and Rug Industry’s Green Label Plus certification may be of some help. The label indicates that the carpeting has reduced VOC off-gassing. You will have to ask the manufacturer, supplier or retailer, however, for details regarding how low VOC exposure actually is.

Choose Recycled-Content or Natural Fibers

Recycled-content carpeting can be made from various materials but the most popular is carpet made partly from plastic bottles (PET). While the quality of these products has improved immensely, if the fiber count is too low, these carpets can flatten under heavy use.

Natural carpets are made from wool or sisal and often have jute backing. Natural fibers, if sustainably harvested, are preferred to the traditional nylon. Be sure to ask, however, whether the carpet has undergone any chemical treatments during importing or manufacture. Imported wool carpets are subjected to US Department of Agriculture inspection which requires that it be fumigated with a pesticide to kill prospective moths before it enters the country. The pesticide stays in the carpet fibers.

Radiant floors heat the home using a series of tubes filled with water that run under the flooring. The water heats the floors and this gentle heat radiates through the building. It is efficient, because it works to heat the occupants, not the air. It can take time to reach ambient temperature, and so is not suitable if a building needs to be heated quickly.

Explore Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are an excellent choice. They are used in high traffic areas like airports and commercial buildings. If stains or wear-and-tear compromise part of your carpeting, new tiles can easily replace old, worn tiles. Not only is this approach more sustainable it’s also less expensive than replacing an entire floor. Tightly-woven fibers and low pile make tiles less likely to trap harmful allergens and irritants. Tiles are also often made from recycled content material and can sometimes be recycled at the end of their life.

Use Low-VOC Carpet Glue

When gluing down carpets, always use low-VOC adhesives or choose an alternative. For instance, you can use tack strips to stretch and adhere the wall to wall carpet or a hook-and-loop tape system, which allows sections of carpet to be removed and replaced. A peel-and-stick acrylic adhesive is commonly used with carpet tiles.

Green Flooring 101: Vinyl and Linoleum

Avoid Vinyl; Choose Linoleum Instead

Vinyl tile and other sheet flooring products are often composed primarily of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Because Vinyl Chloride (the primary component) off-gasses volatile organic compounds, it has been banned in several European nations. The manufacture of PVC also creates problems. Studies indicate a strong correlation between occupational exposure to Vinyl Chloride and susceptibility to certain forms of cancer. Although PVC is relatively stable, the plasticizers that make it pliable are not and can cause health problems for both adults and children. The rule of thumb is if you can smell that “beach ball” smell you probably don’t want it in your house.

If you require a hard surface that can be exposed to water, choose natural linoleum instead of vinyl flooring. Natural linoleum is made primarily from flax and linseed oil and is perhaps one of the most environmentally-friendly products available. Linoleum comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Green Flooring 101: Wood, Bamboo, Cork

Use Only Reclaimed or FSC Certified Lumber

Every year millions of acres in North American woodlots become FSC-Certified. You should be able to find flooring within your price range that has been certified. Another option is reclaimed lumber. Though sometimes expensive because of the labor required, these floors have an artistic quality and can become a centerpiece of the room.
 

Ask about the Source of Cork Flooring

Cork can be a beautiful choice for flooring. Some cork floors are made from the waste cork leftover from the manufacture of bottle stoppers. Due to growing demand, however, some cork floors are made of raw material. Since Cork can be harvested every decade or so, it can be considered a rapidly renewable resource. Unfortunately, the cork oak can only grow in a few areas of the Mediterranean and attempts to establish it elsewhere have failed. When selecting your flooring, be sure to ask the source of the Cork and avoid flooring made from raw materials.

Choose Bamboo Flooring Carefully

Though there are thousands of species of bamboo, only a few make good floors. If inappropriate species are used, your floors may shrink or delaminate. Choose a reputable supplier with a solid track record and don’t be tricked by too-good-to-be-true prices.

Green Flooring 101: Tiles and Exposed Concrete

Despite requiring significant energy inputs in their manufacture, ceramic and porcelain tiles are durable and hence environmentally sound over the life of the product. Tiles are now available that are made from a variety of recycled materials such as windshield glass used as a durable high-gloss finish.

Choose Exposed Concrete

Concrete can be mixed with various pigments to create beautiful, warm patterns. Pigment may add to the cost of concrete but the finished flooring will not require any ongoing maintenance. Concrete is great for people with allergies as it doesn’t harbor dust or mold. It is easy to clean and take no maintenance. When made with fly-ash (a by-product of burning coal) concrete is a green, long-lasting product. Concrete floor artists are coming into high demand. They take the concrete slab and make it look like marble or granite with spectacular results. Either can make exposed concrete a cost-effective choice.
Concrete is also a great choice for thermal mass. Thermal mass works on the principle that a home gets heated by the sun during the day, and then the home slowly releases that heat through the night. It is an important factor in passive solar design.

Green Flooring 101: Underlayment

The underlayment used between a sub floor and floor covering is an environmental concern. Luan plywood, an underlayment often used, is harvested from endangered forests in Southeast Asia. Luan should never be used.

OSB or cement board are preferable options.