Selecting Sustainable Wood Flooring for Your Home Remodel

Wood flooring has come a long way over the years and, in the 21st century, it’s all about sustainability. If you are looking to install new hardwood flooring in your home, there are several eco-friendly options to consider. Just because you want beautiful floors doesn’t mean you have to increase the size of your carbon footprint. Here are a few things to know when selecting sustainable wood flooring.

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The benefits of sustainable wood floors

Opting for sustainable wood flooring comes with several benefits aside from being an eye-pleasing feature of your living space. Sustainable forest management now makes it possible for manufacturers to harvest wood without causing significant damage to the environment, according to the National Wood Flooring Association.

Additionally, eco-friendly wood floors also come in a wide variety of colors and styles to match your interior design. Whether you need flooring in your kitchen or bedrooms, there’s an option out there for you.

If you consider the lifespan of your house, it’s a more environmentally friendly option as well. For example, sustainable wood can be recycled or burned for fuel if you choose to take out the flooring down the line.

Tips for buying sustainable hardwood flooring

There are a few ways to make sure you’re investing in reliable, sustainable wood flooring when you shop. The Forest Stewardship Council’s stamp of approval is one way you can verify that you’re truly going green, according to Mother Earth News. This nonprofit only gives its stamp of approval to manufacturers who practice environmentally responsible forestry.

If you see a label that reads “reclaimed,” this means that the wood has been taken from salvaged timber, river bottoms, or trees removed from urban locations. Wood marked as “suppressed” indicates that it has come from a forest that was deemed “over dense.”

Educating yourself before your start shopping can help you confidently purchase sustainable hardwood flooring for your home.

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Types of eco-friendly hardwood floors

An estimated 10 percent of a typical retailer’s stock is likely to be green. This means that you’ll have to do your homework as you shop for flooring for your home. That being said, it doesn’t have to be a challenge. The following 10 flooring types are certified by the FSC, meaning you can have peace of mind when you invest in these options.

• Long-leaf pine
• Country oak
• American cherry
• Central American teak
• Brazilian cumaru
• Coco palm
• Bamboo
• Reclaimed chestnut
• Hybrid eucalyptus
• Cork

These varieties of woods come in a range of hues and finishes, making it simple to find an option for your home. However, it’s worth consulting an expert before you make the final decision. A flooring professional or vendor can let you know which types will reduce your carbon footprint and give you the beautiful flooring you desire.

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Written by Krystle Vermes. May 1, 2015

Krystle Vermes is a professional writer, podcaster, and creator of GetSpooked.net with a background in both online and print journalism. She graduated from Suffolk University with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism.