SRI & Company takes pride in utilizing sustainable flooring materials whenever possible. There are a variety of sustainable flooring options available, the most well-known being wood. Others include bamboo, cork, linoleum, rubber, and natural fiber carpet, among others. Here are some interesting facts about sustainable flooring selections for your commercial building or space.
Many people might be surprised to learn that linoleum is an environmentally-friendly flooring product. Not only is it sustainable, but it is also highly durable, affordable, low-maintenance, fire-resistant, and emits no VOCs. Made from natural materials like linseed oil, pine resin, cork dust, sawdust, and mineral fillers, linoleum is said to be making somewhat of a comeback in 2022.
Bamboo flooring has many great qualities and is considered to be a sustainable material, but some bamboo flooring options are less environmentally-friendly than others. This is mostly due to questionable practices by some overseas growers and manufacturers. When in the market for bamboo flooring, look for FSC-certified options, which means the bamboo was harvested from responsibly-managed sources.
Cork flooring, which comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, is sustainable, beautiful, hypoallergenic, affordable, sound-absorbent, and comfortable underfoot. There are, of course, a few caveats including susceptibility to moisture, sunlight, denting, and scratching, and it must be resealed periodically. Cork can be an excellent option in some commercial applications if these drawbacks are taken into account during selection.
Ecologically-friendly natural rubber is made from latex harvested from the rubber tree. Rubber flooring has its advantages and disadvantages, as we went over in our most recent blog, but it should be noted that most of today’s rubber floors are made from synthetic rubber. There are, however, natural rubber options available for those who consider sustainability to be a top priority.
Sustainable carpets are typically made from natural, renewable fibers like wool (the most common), hemp, jute, sisal, and bamboo. Carpets made from recycled materials like plastic bottles and industrial scraps are another eco-friendly option. Keep in mind that many natural carpets have synthetic backings, which could emit VOCs and are not biodegradable.
For more information on sustainable flooring products, please contact SRI & Co. at (973) 832-7627.
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