This article is sponsored by, America's Floor Source

Home improvement has always been about creating a more sound and well-operating home. Here are several flooring options that help keep the environment sound as well.

Green design, often referred to as sustainable design or eco-design, conforms to environmentally-sound principles of building material and energy use. The following flooring options support this goal.

Cork Flooring Can Be Sourced Responsibly

The Cork Oak Tree is found in northwest Africa and southwest Europe. This species grows bark in such excess that it can be removed with minimal consequence to the tree and its surrounding habitat every 7 to 15 years. Flooring tiles made of this thick bark are seemingly soft and warm to the touch, unlike hardwood floors that are cool and less forgiving to the bare foot. It has an absorbent and porous surface, which means that it should be sealed after installation. Popular places to install this product are medium to low traffic areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms, especially in the kids’ bedrooms. Its cellular structure allows it to be forgiving and resilient. On impact, it may show a dent, but after a little while it will re-expand to its original shape.

Bamboo Flooring, A Twist On the Traditional Look

Bamboo Flooring owes its popularity to being inexpensive, sturdy and sharing a similar appearance with traditional hard wood floors. The bamboo most commonly used to create this product is referred to as Moso. Mainly sourced in Asia, the large grass completely regenerates from it original root 6 to 9 years after harvesting. Hardwoods like oak and mahogany can take anywhere from 60 to 150 years to grow to the size needed for commercial use.

Bamboo is a wonderful choice for residential spaces receiving medium to high traffic, and can be expected to last in the upward range of twenty years.

Carpet Cushioning That Is Safe For Family and Pets

Most carpet cushions are made from recycled materials or materials that are recyclable. Many cushions meet the carpet and rug institutes green label for indoor air quality because the levels of V.O.C.’s emitted are incredibly low. Some carpet cushions contain antimicrobial treatments to fight against environmental elements such as odor-causing and allergy-aggravating mold, mildew and bacteria.

Differences Between Natural and Synthetic Fibers, and Their Relationship to Air Quality

Air quality of an indoor space depends on several factors, and one of the most significant of these are the materials used to finish the structure. In the past, products such as paints and adhesives used to secure carpet fibers during the manufacturing process contained substances that admitted large amounts of harmful gasses into the indoor air over time. Although measures have been taken to correct this alarming issue, it is good to research any potential products being considered for the interior.

Some believe that a natural fiber such as cotton and wool would be preferred over synthetic in this respect. The truth is that natural or man-made, every carpet goes through a manufacturing process exposing the fibers to chemicals usually containing small amounts of V.O.C.’s. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, all types of carpet have very low emission levels, regardless of whether they are natural or synthetic fibers. These low amounts of V.O.C.’s dissipate within the first two to three days following installation.

Whether the task at hand consists of updating the floor in the kitchen, your child’s bedroom, or an office space, there are countless responsibly sourced flooring selections to choose from. It’s nice to know that with a little ingenuity and creativity we can be just as proud of our relationship to the great outdoors as we are of the new floors gracing our homes.