Pro Panel: Which Sustainable Flooring Should I Choose?
'Green' floorings aren’t just beneficial for the planet, they can look and feel good, too. Check out these options
When you’re aiming for a sustainably renovation or home, don’t forget to factor in your flooring. It takes up a large amount of space in a home, so a sustainable choice could have a really positive environmental impact.
To help you choose the right material for you – from bamboo to linoleum to reclaimed timber – we’ve asked three UK-based experts for guidance. Read on for professional advice from Nimi Attanayake at Nimtim Architects, Kieran Hawkins at Cairn Architects, and Helen Peedell at SHP Interiors.
To help you choose the right material for you – from bamboo to linoleum to reclaimed timber – we’ve asked three UK-based experts for guidance. Read on for professional advice from Nimi Attanayake at Nimtim Architects, Kieran Hawkins at Cairn Architects, and Helen Peedell at SHP Interiors.
Cork
Not just a staple in your wine bottle, cork is produced naturally from the bark of the cork oak tree – native to parts of Europe and Africa. The bark regrows every eight to 10 years, and the tree can live for up to 200 years.
“The bark of the cork oak tree has a unique honeycomb structure composed of tiny cells filled with air,” says Peedell. “Some of cork’s special characteristics are its lightness, water-resistance, wonderful insulation ability, durability and hypoallergenic qualities. It’s a wonderful, natural flooring product, and also comes as a wallpaper or tiles.”
Cork’s perks don’t end there, either. “Cork is breathable and free from chemicals, synthetic resins and carcinogenic materials. It creates a healthy environment inside the house,” says Attanayake.
Not just a staple in your wine bottle, cork is produced naturally from the bark of the cork oak tree – native to parts of Europe and Africa. The bark regrows every eight to 10 years, and the tree can live for up to 200 years.
“The bark of the cork oak tree has a unique honeycomb structure composed of tiny cells filled with air,” says Peedell. “Some of cork’s special characteristics are its lightness, water-resistance, wonderful insulation ability, durability and hypoallergenic qualities. It’s a wonderful, natural flooring product, and also comes as a wallpaper or tiles.”
Cork’s perks don’t end there, either. “Cork is breathable and free from chemicals, synthetic resins and carcinogenic materials. It creates a healthy environment inside the house,” says Attanayake.
Still influenced by memories of 1970s orange wall tiles? These days, cork looks lovely, natural and modern, Attanayake explains. “We’ve got over our hang-ups from bad mid-century bathrooms, and a lot of ranges now come in different colours and treatments, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be the orangey-beige of untreated cork.
“It’s soft and warm, so it’s good if you don’t have underfloor heating, but can also be used with it [check this with the supplier, as it needs to be bonded to ply in the factory],” she continues. “It’s also really easy to work with and install for builders.”
There are a few cons to cork, however. The texture and patterns won’t be for everyone and, as Attanayake points out, “It’s not as robust as other flooring types (stone or wood, for example), so think about longevity and maybe don’t use it in really high-traffic areas”.
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“It’s soft and warm, so it’s good if you don’t have underfloor heating, but can also be used with it [check this with the supplier, as it needs to be bonded to ply in the factory],” she continues. “It’s also really easy to work with and install for builders.”
There are a few cons to cork, however. The texture and patterns won’t be for everyone and, as Attanayake points out, “It’s not as robust as other flooring types (stone or wood, for example), so think about longevity and maybe don’t use it in really high-traffic areas”.
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Linoleum
Genuine linoleum, as opposed to plastic imitations, is a natural product that’s made from ingredients including linseed oil, wood sawdust, ground limestone, pigments and cork. It can be used anywhere from kitchens to bathrooms or living spaces, and it’s extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear. The smooth surface also makes it easy to clean and mop up any spills.
“Marmoleum [a trade name for linoleum] is a sustainable flooring product made primarily from renewable raw natural resources,” says Attanayake. “The top layer is linoleum, a bio-based, ecologically produced material made from 97 percent natural raw materials. Marmoleum is CO2-neutral, without offset, and PVC-free, with low embodied energy – and it’s allergy approved.”
Genuine linoleum, as opposed to plastic imitations, is a natural product that’s made from ingredients including linseed oil, wood sawdust, ground limestone, pigments and cork. It can be used anywhere from kitchens to bathrooms or living spaces, and it’s extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear. The smooth surface also makes it easy to clean and mop up any spills.
“Marmoleum [a trade name for linoleum] is a sustainable flooring product made primarily from renewable raw natural resources,” says Attanayake. “The top layer is linoleum, a bio-based, ecologically produced material made from 97 percent natural raw materials. Marmoleum is CO2-neutral, without offset, and PVC-free, with low embodied energy – and it’s allergy approved.”
Not only is it another option that’s soft and warm to walk on, it’s also cost-effective, Attanayake adds. And it’s versatile design-wise, with a wide range of patterns and colours to choose from.
However, there are a few practical things to consider. “Because of its flat nature, lino can show up dirt and dust if not properly maintained,” says Attanayake. “It needs to be bonded to a good substrate and, for best results, you may need to use an approved supplier or installer.”
This type of flooring is also not always ideal above underfloor heating because of its insulating properties, so check with your supplier.
However, there are a few practical things to consider. “Because of its flat nature, lino can show up dirt and dust if not properly maintained,” says Attanayake. “It needs to be bonded to a good substrate and, for best results, you may need to use an approved supplier or installer.”
This type of flooring is also not always ideal above underfloor heating because of its insulating properties, so check with your supplier.
Natural stone
You might not immediately think of stone as sustainable, but it’s a natural resource that has a lower carbon footprint than you might imagine. It also won’t emit any harmful VOCs internally.
“As a rule of thumb, the less intense the effort required to extract a material, the more sustainable it is,” says Hawkins. “Stone quarried from deep in the earth, such as marble, often has a high carbon footprint. Softer stone from nearer the surface, such as limestone or slate, usually has less embodied carbon. All stone should be quarried responsibly and, wherever possible, I’d try to use stone from [nearby quarries] to reduce the travel emissions.”
Stone is also beautiful, practical and hard-wearing – though it can be cold underfoot and harsh on dropped crockery.
You might not immediately think of stone as sustainable, but it’s a natural resource that has a lower carbon footprint than you might imagine. It also won’t emit any harmful VOCs internally.
“As a rule of thumb, the less intense the effort required to extract a material, the more sustainable it is,” says Hawkins. “Stone quarried from deep in the earth, such as marble, often has a high carbon footprint. Softer stone from nearer the surface, such as limestone or slate, usually has less embodied carbon. All stone should be quarried responsibly and, wherever possible, I’d try to use stone from [nearby quarries] to reduce the travel emissions.”
Stone is also beautiful, practical and hard-wearing – though it can be cold underfoot and harsh on dropped crockery.
Bamboo
“Bamboo is actually a grass and probably the fastest-growing ‘timber’ on the market,” says Peedell. “It’s naturally anti-bacterial, water-resistant and extremely durable. It looks fantastic and gives a home a modern feel.”
Versatile bamboo can be fitted into almost any room and it’s easy to maintain – plus its pale natural colouring tends to add a spacious feeling.
“Bamboo is actually a grass and probably the fastest-growing ‘timber’ on the market,” says Peedell. “It’s naturally anti-bacterial, water-resistant and extremely durable. It looks fantastic and gives a home a modern feel.”
Versatile bamboo can be fitted into almost any room and it’s easy to maintain – plus its pale natural colouring tends to add a spacious feeling.
“It’s generally more expensive than laminate, but less expensive than wood,” says Peedell. “So it’s a fantastic option for those who are trying to reduce their carbon footprint on a tighter budget.”
As with most flooring, you should call in a flooring expert for best results. “From an installation point of view, it’s recommended to use a professional installer for the best finish.”
Experts also say bamboo deals with extremes of hot and cold weather better than some wooden flooring options. However, bear in mind that some bamboo “is likely to be shipped from China,” which can count against its green credentials, says Hawkins. For alternatives, try to source locally grown bamboo flooring and always remember to check whether the product you’re eyeing off has FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.
As with most flooring, you should call in a flooring expert for best results. “From an installation point of view, it’s recommended to use a professional installer for the best finish.”
Experts also say bamboo deals with extremes of hot and cold weather better than some wooden flooring options. However, bear in mind that some bamboo “is likely to be shipped from China,” which can count against its green credentials, says Hawkins. For alternatives, try to source locally grown bamboo flooring and always remember to check whether the product you’re eyeing off has FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.
Reclaimed timber
“This is one of the most sustainable options available,” says Hawkins. “It has character, and the level of sanding you carry out can be balanced with the amount of wear from its previous life you’d like to see.”
Reclaimed wood is also warm underfoot, and looks great – plus you can enjoy the fact it has a rich history. “In my own house, I’ve laid a maple floor with boards reclaimed from a school gym. It makes me very happy,” he says.
A word, however, on timber finishes, which also impact on sustainability and indoor pollution. “Always check the VOCs in any varnishes or finishes applied to a floor,” says Hawkins. “These can be toxic and continue to emit small amounts of gas for a long time. The manufacturing process should also be checked.”
Browse more beautiful living areas with medium-tone timber flooring
“This is one of the most sustainable options available,” says Hawkins. “It has character, and the level of sanding you carry out can be balanced with the amount of wear from its previous life you’d like to see.”
Reclaimed wood is also warm underfoot, and looks great – plus you can enjoy the fact it has a rich history. “In my own house, I’ve laid a maple floor with boards reclaimed from a school gym. It makes me very happy,” he says.
A word, however, on timber finishes, which also impact on sustainability and indoor pollution. “Always check the VOCs in any varnishes or finishes applied to a floor,” says Hawkins. “These can be toxic and continue to emit small amounts of gas for a long time. The manufacturing process should also be checked.”
Browse more beautiful living areas with medium-tone timber flooring
Coir, sisal, jute or seagrass
Want the look and feel of carpet without a synthetic or wool finish? Think about options such as coir and sisal – they might be a little more ‘scratchy’, but they look natural and light, and have sustainable credentials (though they likely won’t be grown locally).
Want the look and feel of carpet without a synthetic or wool finish? Think about options such as coir and sisal – they might be a little more ‘scratchy’, but they look natural and light, and have sustainable credentials (though they likely won’t be grown locally).
“These are all grasses with different characteristics,” says Peedell. “They’re natural and grow as native plants in countries such as China and Vietnam through to Mexico, Brazil and Africa. Most natural grass flooring has a latex (rubber) backing, which makes it sustainable and biodegradable.
“As it’s a natural fibre, it doesn’t like water and is inherently absorbent,” she says. “We always recommend having materials INTEC-treated. This is a water-based treatment that reduces the impact of spillage and adds to the life of the product.”
“As it’s a natural fibre, it doesn’t like water and is inherently absorbent,” she says. “We always recommend having materials INTEC-treated. This is a water-based treatment that reduces the impact of spillage and adds to the life of the product.”
Carpet
Carpet can also be a ‘green’ choice and it’s still the cosiest flooring material in a bedroom. Shop around for sustainable carpets made from recycled yarns, and backings made from old plastic bottles.
Wool carpet is another sustainable option to consider that’s natural, durable and luxurious underfoot. “Probably the most warm and cosy of all of the flooring options, wool is renewable, insulating and hardwearing, and it can look extremely traditional or totally modern,” says Peedell. Wool carpets range in price though can be expensive, so shop around for other sustainable alternatives that suit your budget if your heart is set on carpet.
Carpet can also be a ‘green’ choice and it’s still the cosiest flooring material in a bedroom. Shop around for sustainable carpets made from recycled yarns, and backings made from old plastic bottles.
Wool carpet is another sustainable option to consider that’s natural, durable and luxurious underfoot. “Probably the most warm and cosy of all of the flooring options, wool is renewable, insulating and hardwearing, and it can look extremely traditional or totally modern,” says Peedell. Wool carpets range in price though can be expensive, so shop around for other sustainable alternatives that suit your budget if your heart is set on carpet.
Your turn
Did have sustainability in mind when choosing your flooring? Tell us about your experience in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more on flooring? Read the pros and cons of different hard-wearing flooring types with this Pro Panel: How to Choose the Perfect Flooring for Your Entrance
Did have sustainability in mind when choosing your flooring? Tell us about your experience in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Need more on flooring? Read the pros and cons of different hard-wearing flooring types with this Pro Panel: How to Choose the Perfect Flooring for Your Entrance
“It sounds obvious, but the floor is one of the most extensive elements in a house,” says Hawkins. “Often, it’s the single largest area of any material specified on a project. Flooring choice is therefore a decision with the biggest impact on the overall sustainability of a new home, renovation or extension.”
In terms of impact, embodied carbon is particularly relevant. “This is how much carbon is released in the extraction, processing and delivery of a material,” he says. “It’s where clients have the opportunity to make a real difference to the carbon footprint of their project.”
Don’t forget about indoor air pollution, too – sustainable flooring is more likely to have been treated with fewer toxic chemicals during production, a particular plus if you suffer from allergies (some carpets and vinyl flooring can emit VOCs – volatile organic compounds – for years).
“Indoor air quality is an important consideration,” says Hawkins. “Many synthetic materials, particularly those in lower price brackets, continue to emit gases after they’ve been installed. Natural materials, on the other hand, often absorb pollutants.”