From the Floors Up
  • Hard Flooring
  • Carpet
  • Tile & Stone
  • Hints & Tips
  • Design & Decorating
  • Maintenance
  • News
  • About

Blog Action Day 2009: Eco Friendly Flooring Options

October 15, 2009 By creatingyourspace 1 Comment

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. Blog Action Day 2009 will be one of the largest-ever social change events on the web. This year, From the Floors Up is participating by posting about eco friendly flooring options.

There are the basic needs in life; food, water, clothing and shelter. Our homes, our shelters, are more than a mere physical structure. They are the place where we retreat for protection, comfort and spend time with friends and family. The materials used for and in our homes reflect who we are but these materials can come at a large cost to our environment.

Today, manufacturers, architects, designers and builders are stepping up to address their role in providing materials, designs and practices that pave the way for environmentally responsible homes.

What does it mean to be GREEN?

A product’s ‘eco-balance’ is based on an analysis of: its durability and whether its production;

    • Uses primary energy carriers, such as mineral oil and gas;
    • Depletes scarce raw materials;
    • Has fertilization effects;
    • Leads to acidification;
    • Damages the ozone layer;
    • Contributes to global warming;
    • Produces waste products.

Green Flooring Options

Green flooring is any flooring that is sustainable, eco-friendly, contains recycled content, is recyclable, leaves a small carbon footprint or has low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound). There are different degrees of green when referring to different types of flooring.

Cork

  • Better than a renewable resource because it is a harvested resource (only the bark is harvested from the tree)
  • A recycled product because cork floors are made from the waste cork that makes wine stoppers.
  • A law in the 1930’s called “The 9 Year Law” was passed to keep cork from being harvested any sooner than every 9 years. The tree has to reach 60 cm in circumference before it can be harvested. The first harvest from a cork tree can only occur at age 25.
  • The tree is not destroyed or damaged when harvesting cork.
  • To complete the environmentally sound process, water based finishes and adhesives should be used.

Bamboo

  • Bamboo is a rapidly renewing resource that matures in three years
  • It regenerates without need for replanting
  • It also requires minimal fertilization or pesticides
  • There are now FSC certified bamboo options available so it is important to see what you can confirm about the bamboo you are interested in before purchasing.

Carpet

  • According to the Carpet and Rug Institute: The carpet industry is minimizing carpet’s impact on the environment through the new “3 Rs” which stand for reduce, reuse and recycle.  When carpet reaches the end of its long life, it is reused to make new carpet or is recycled into a variety of products, ranging from roofing shingles and railroad ties to automotive parts.
  • Factors that determine if carpet is “green”: carpet fibers, toxics content, dye, VOC emissions, and recycled content.
  • The Green Label and Green Label Plus from the Carpet and Rug Institute ensure that customers are purchasing among the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market.

Stone

There is no clear data on the impact of using stone as a building material on the environment; when the data is collected it will contain information on water and energy consumption, yields from raw materials, recyclability  and other measures that are considered in life cycle assessments, energy used in transportation, processing and selling the material.

Stone has the following features:

  • It’s a natural product
  • It has an enduring life cycle so it doesn’t have to be replaced
  • Ease of care and maintenance
  • Recyclable
  • Quarry and manufacturing use best practices
  • Can be reclaimed

Hardwood

  • Natural Resource
  • Renewable
  • Recyclable
  • Suitable for a “healthy home” environment
  • Forests are managed for replanting

Linoleum

  • Made from all natural materials
  • The natural raw materials used to create Linoleum are available in abundance: linseed oil, rosin, wood flour, cork flour, ecologically responsible pigments and jute.
  • These raw materials are harvested or extracted with relatively little energy consumption. The main energy resource for the process is the sun. The plants and trees that supply linoleum’s raw materials also contribute to the production of oxygen and the subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses present in the atmosphere.
  • Can be recycled
  • The energy obtained from incinerating linoleum is roughly equivalent to or even more than that which is used in production.
  • Linoleum can be safely added to landfill refuse sites, where natural decomposition takes place. Linoleum is fully biodegradable and does not release harmful substances or gases such as chlorine and dioxins.
  • Adhesives are 100% solvent free and meet all low VOC requirements
  • Does not require maintenance from harmful chemicals
  • Linoleum contains virtually no trace of toxic material and is naturally beneficial to air quality.

Ceramic Tile

  • Rarely release emissions
  • Some contain recycled content
  • Long lasting and not replaced frequently
  • Requires little maintenance
  • Value is unclear due to it’s weight causing more fuel during transportation

Carpet Cushion

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has established the Green Label program to test for VOCs in cushion used under carpet.  This program helps you choose low-emission cushion. You can identify these products by looking for the program’s green and white seal. These products are continuously monitored to ensure that they maintain compliance.

Cushion products are characterized as prime polyurethane, bonded polyurethane, mechanically frothed polyurethane, rubber-hair, rubber–jute, synthetic fiber, resinated or coated synthetic fiber, rubber and rubberized polyurethane.

Cushions are tested for total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), formaldehyde and 4-phenylcyclohexine (4-PCH).
Carpet cushion can be:

  • Made from100% recycled bonded cushion from polyurethane foam or 100% recycled content in Rebond Carpet Cushion, a bonded polyurethane product
  • Made with 97% recycled rubber for carpet underlayment
  • Made with no CFC’s, latex or chemical additives
  • Made with 100% recycled tire rubber carpet pad.  Withstands temperatures from 40 to 120 degrees.  Free of toxic materials such as PCB, mercury, and formaldehyde
  • Made from ground tire scrap rubber granules bonded with latex and 92% recycled tire rubber

Installation

  • Use adhesives with low VOC’s
  • Choose water based finishes over solvent based
  • Acceptable adhesives are listed here: http://www.greenhomeguide.com

Adhesives

Adhesives are just as important to consider when purchasing flooring as the flooring itself. Adhesives with harmful toxins can damage indoor air quality by giving off harmful gasses.

Tips for Adhesives:

  • Choose low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Do not contain formaldehyde
  • Qualify for the Carpet and Rug Institutes Indoor Air Quality green label
  • Once installed, floors still give off gas compounds
  • Less durable floors have to be replaced more often
  • High maintenance floors use more harsh chemicals
  • Consider floors that don’t have to be refinished

YOU as a consumer have a role too. Whether you are remolding or building new, choosing green materials for your home will benefit your health, comfort, environment and finances.

Take Action!

To see other blogs that are participating, click here. To see the posts from industry leader CB Whittemore from Flooring the Consumer and The Simple Marketing Blog, click here and here. To see how you can take action, please click here.To visit the official blog of Blog Action Day, click here. To learn about the recycling efforts of Pierce Flooring and Design in Montana, click here.

Have you made the decision to choose green flooring for your home? If so, were you willing to pay more for it to be green? Was certification a factor in your decision? Did you local floor covering retailer have plenty of options for you to choose from? What product or products did you choose?

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Hard Flooring Tagged With: Blog action day, Blog action day 2009, eco friendly floors, green floor covering, Green Flooring, green floors

Green Flooring

June 29, 2009 By creatingyourspace 1 Comment

Are you thinking of making a flooring purchase? Are you wondering if you can make that purchase and make it a green one at the same time? Green flooring is defined as any flooring that is sustainable, eco-friendly, contains recycled content, is recyclable, leaves a small carbon footprint or has low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound).

Below are some things to consider when thinking green about flooring:

Cork

  • Cork is a harvested resource which is better than a renewable resource because only the bark is harvested from the tree.
  • Because of the way cork floors are made, they are considered a recycled product.
  • Cork trees are not damaged or destroyed when the cork is being harvested.
  • You can install cork floors with water based adhesives with low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Bamboo

  • Bamboo is a rapidly renewing resource (maturing in three years) that regenerates without the need for replanting.
  • To grow, it doesn’t need a lot of fertilization or pesticides

Carpet

  • According to the Carpet and Rug Institute: The carpet industry is minimizing carpet’s impact on the environment through the new “3 Rs” which stand for reduce, reuse and recycle.  When carpet reaches the end of its long life, it is reused to make new carpet or is recycled into a variety of products, ranging from roofing shingles and railroad ties to automotive parts.
  • Carpet fibers, dye, VOC emissions and recycled content are all factors that determine is a carpet product is green.
  • If you want to ensure that you are purchasing the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion, look for The Green Label and Green Label Plus from the Carpet and Rug Institute

Stone

  • It’s a natural product
  • Stone is a long lasting product so it doesn’t have to  be replaced often
  • It’s easy to care and maintain
  • Stone can be recycled and reclaimed

Hardwood

  • Hardwoos is a natural resource that is also renewable and recyclable
  • Suitable for a “healthy home” environment
  • Most forests are managed for replanting

Linoleum

  • Made from all natural, biodegradable materials that can be recycled
  • The natural raw materials used to create Linoleum are abundantly available
  • These raw materials are harvested or extracted with relatively little energy consumption.
  • Linoleum can be safely added to landfill refuse sites, where natural decomposition takes place.
  • Can be installed with water based adhesives that are low VOC or VOC free
  • Maintenance products do not include harsh chemicals

Ceramic Tile

  • More and more products contain recycled content
  • Tile is a long lasting product so it doesn’t have to  be replaced often
  • Requires little maintenance and cleaners are not harmful

Carpet Cushion

  • Can be made from100% recycled bonded cushion from polyurethane foam or 100% recycled content in Rebond Carpet Cushion, a bonded polyurethane product
  • Can be made with 97% recycled rubber for carpet underlayment
  • Can be made with no CFC’s, latex or chemical additives
  • Can be made with 100% recycled tire rubber carpet pad.  Withstands temperatures from 40 to 120 degrees.  Free of toxic materials such as PCB, mercury, and formaldehyde
  • Can be made from ground tire scrap rubber granules bonded with latex and 92% recycled tire rubber

Installation

  • Water based adhesives with low VOC’s can be used
  • Acceptable adhesives are listed here: http://www.greenhomeguide.com

Adhesives

  • Choose low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • Choose adhesives that do not contain formaldehyde
  • Choose adhesives that qualify for the Carpet and Rug Institutes Indoor Air Quality green label

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Carpet, Ceramic/Porcelain, Hard Flooring, Hardwood / Laminate, Linoleum, Tile & Stone Tagged With: adhesives, Carpet Cushion, ceramic tile, cork, Green Flooring, green floors, hardwood, linoelum, stone

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive new post notifications via email.

Categories

  • Carpet (58)
    • Area Rugs (18)
  • Design & Decorating (456)
    • Color of The Year (4)
    • Do It Yourself (DIY) Projects (11)
    • Featured Designer (8)
    • Holidays (6)
    • Inspiration (119)
    • Interior Finishes (74)
    • Outdoor Living (23)
    • Seasonal & Holiday (29)
    • Small Spaces (7)
    • Style Quizzes (1)
    • Walls (13)
  • Hard Flooring (89)
    • Hardwood / Laminate (38)
    • Linoleum (2)
    • Specialty Flooring (5)
    • Vinyl / Resilient (4)
  • Hints & Tips (227)
  • Kitchen & Bath (131)
    • Backsplashes (7)
    • Countertops (14)
    • Lighting (17)
  • Maintenance (40)
  • News (135)
    • Featured (38)
    • Guest Post (18)
    • Monthly Recaps (5)
    • Promotions (2)
    • Q & A (26)
  • Seasonal (4)
  • Tile & Stone (63)
    • Ceramic/Porcelain (35)
    • Grout & Setting Materials (1)
  • Uncategorized (62)

Recent Comments

  • Josh on Pro’s and Con’s of Hardwood Floors | Part One
  • Christian Myers on Why We Love Laminate Flooring For The Kitchen
  • Iowa City Concrete on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Andrew Wilson on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Xpert Pro Balterio Parchet Laminat 12 mm Trafic Intens on Simple Guide to Cleaning Out Your Closet – Part 2

Recent Posts

  • Tips for Clearing Clutter
  • 5 Remodeling Projects To Take On Before the Holiday
  • Bathroom Remodel Advice
  • Choosing the Perfect Bathroom Tile
  • Ways to Use Patterns in Your Home

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

Recent Comments

  • Josh on Pro’s and Con’s of Hardwood Floors | Part One
  • Christian Myers on Why We Love Laminate Flooring For The Kitchen
  • Iowa City Concrete on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Andrew Wilson on How to Remove Stains from a Concrete Driveway
  • Xpert Pro Balterio Parchet Laminat 12 mm Trafic Intens on Simple Guide to Cleaning Out Your Closet – Part 2

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive new post notifications via email.

Copyright © 2023 From the Floors Up · Log in