"What does it mean for flooring to be Green?"

Sustainable flooring is all the rage, but like the product, the trend is here to stay. As environmental awareness is constantly expanding, consumers are making more responsible use of their purchasing power. Some of the most popular sustainable flooring options include cork, bamboo and lyptus. While many companies are touting their products as environmentally friendly, there is somewhat limited discussion regarding what actually makes a product "green".

My floors don't look green

For example, bamboo and lyptus (as in a Eucalyptus hybrid) are environmentally friendly because the raw materials used to manufacture the flooring are quickly replenished by nature. Specifically, bamboo can grow 90 feet in one year, which is a result of its unique cellular structure. As with lyptus, this species can be harvested after only 15 years, thus preserving other old growth forests such as oak. Cork's sustainability is another matter. It is unique in that the flooring is actually manufactured out of the bark of the tree, which spares the tree itself from being cut down. The bark is then allowed to regrow, and nine years later the harvesting process is repeated.

A common misconception concerning environmentally friendly products is that one has to trade in quality for sustainability. While this may have been the case years ago, this is no longer a concern for consumers. For example, lyptus is often used as a replacement to mahogany, but concerning durability, it is harder than oak. It is a tremendously durable "green" product alternative to traditional products. While cork is not as dense as other hardwoods, it is very forgiving to pressure. For this reason it has been touted as an ideal choice for homeowners where dog claws or other acute pressure may cause problems on other surfaces.

As people continue to learn about sustainability, and companies continue to meet those needs, consumers will be presented with additional information regarding their purchasing power.