Environmentally Friendly Flooring Choices

Environmentally Friendly Flooring Choices

With the current trend toward sustainable living, it is unsurprising that Calgary interior design is currently seeing a wide array or ecologically friendly flooring options. This type of flooring has the benefit of not depleting the Earth’s natural resources, but they also have the added benefits of being processed with fewer chemicals than carpet, as well as being easy to clean thoroughly.

One common choice when it comes to environmental friendly flooring choices in Calgary interior design is linoleum.

Linoleum is not plastic, as one might expect, but rather is manufactured from renewable materials. It has the added advantage of being highly durable, making it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and playrooms. At once biodegradable, non-toxic, and antimicrobial, it will last for many years. Of course, the linoleum available today comes in much more attractive and modern designs than what you saw on your grandmother’s kitchen floor. The variety offered by Calgary interior design companies is impressive, to say the least. If you are considering linoleum, however, be aware that much of the flooring on the market that looks like linoleum is actually a PVC-containing synthetic version.

Bamboo is another interesting option in eco-flooring. Calgary interior design has picked up on this flooring trend which offers an attractive Asian feel that is ideal for condos and lofts. Bamboo re-grows very quickly after harvesting, without the application of pesticides or chemicals, making it an ideal renewable resource. Further, the type of bamboo used for flooring is different from the kind that panda bears eat and thus this flooring option does not threaten their habitat. The design options are varied with bamboo. Like hardwood, many different widths, finishes and stains are available

Cork has long been around as a flooring option. This type of flooring has a very natural appearance, emits a luxuriously warm and soft feeling under your feet and can give a home a wonderfully warm feel. As it is water resistant, durable, and shock absorbing, it is ideal for rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom and the playroom. One trend in Calgary interior design is to use it in rooms which tend to be colder (like basements) in order to add a feeling of warmth and make the room more inviting.

Perhaps one of the most interesting options made available in Calgary interior design is reclaimed hardwood. This flooring resembles standard tongue-and-groove flooring, but is manufactured using wood retained from the demolition of old homes, barns and other buildings, thereby avoiding the depletion old growth forests. Another difference from traditional hardwood is non-uniform plank width. While this may sound strange, the end result is stunning. Waitlists can be long for this type of flooring as it is much coveted, and the manufacturing process is very involved.

As you can see, there are many options available to those seeking to make environmentally sound decisions when it comes to flooring. For other ideas or a consultation, contact a Calgary interior design firm.