You're planning a home renovation. How can you make sure your flooring is eco-friendly?

First of all: Check what was laying there before. Analyse the different layers and build back to the concrete base. From there you start building up according to your needs. Insulation, floor heating, nice absorbation, soft / hard flooring. For all "layers" you may have mulitple options to choose material with a sustainability code. But consider the different layers also as a package and make sure that the several layers work together. Wood is always good, but also have the durability of your floor in mind. If this needs to change within a certain time periode (today an office space, tomorrow a kids playroom) the choice might become another. Sustanability is directly connected with the lifetime circle of a product.

Building materials for home floors are very versatile and in abundance to choose from. Ranging from stones like Granite and Marble, Woods like bamboo and hard wood, to even exposed concrete, Flooring can be eco friendly. Be conscious to choose locally available Granite/marble as opposed to imported or engineered. Choose Local woods in your region as opposed to imported woods.

When planning a home renovation with a focus on eco-friendly flooring, prioritize the use of natural materials to enhance sustainability. Opt for hardwood flooring certified by organizations like LEED certification , FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), ensuring responsible and ethical sourcing. Consider bamboo, a rapidly renewable resource, for a durable and environmentally conscious option. Cork flooring, derived from the bark of cork oak trees, is another eco-friendly choice known for its sustainable harvesting practices. Lastly, explore reclaimed wood options, which repurpose salvaged materials, providing a unique and environmentally responsible flooring solution that aligns with green design principles.

Go for Linoleum (or 'Lino') instead of Vinyl. Vinyl (often referred to as 'Lino' when it isn't) is made of plastics. Linoleum is made from cork and is renewable and breathable. It also has natural antibacterial properties.

It depends on how you approach or view this. Using tiles means they are very long lasting - as long as installed correctly - so with careful choosing the floor can stay for many years, decades even and not require change. This can apply to using tiles of ceramic / porcelain type or of course stone. The stone whilst coming direct from Mother Earth needs no heat to form them - powered tooling yes, but no kiln heat. So quite a lot to consider and weigh up if one of the considerations is sustainability / renewables. There are also a number of companies producing tiles that incorporate recycled material/s.

Studies indicate that construction waste constitutes approximately 15.32% in Nigeria, with a remarkable 90% being potentially reusable, recyclable, or upcyclable. Recycled flooring alternatives for both indoor and outdoor residential spaces include broken glass, broken tiles, newspaper wood, recycled porous pavement(which can be used for driveways, pathways, sideways) and AshCrete—an eco-friendly substitute for Portland cement; amongst others. In a recent project, surplus tile off-cuts were distributed among local community members, who repurposed them for their home flooring. Beyond waste reduction, such practices mitigate flooring costs and stimulate economic activity.

Instead of renovating, keep the valued features of your old home. Enhance them. Highlight the best from its former glory. Restore it. Give it some love rather than refurbishing it with newer but mediocre products.

Begin by exploring reclaimed wood, salvaged from old structures, providing a sustainable and character-rich flooring option. Opt for natural stone, such as slate or travertine, sourced responsibly and known for durability and longevity. Consider linoleum made from linseed oil, a renewable resource, as a resilient and eco-conscious flooring choice. Additionally, recycled glass tiles offer a distinctive and environmentally friendly alternative, repurposing glass materials into visually striking flooring surfaces. By prioritizing these raw materials, one can create a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing foundation for an environmentally conscious home renovation.

Any kind of construction or renovation activities are disruptive to natural environment. Above approach to use recycled or natural materials though helpful are but a drop in the ocean of routine projects which go on where during renovations ,huge amount of construction waste gets generated. Also the larger available materials used by masses are natural stones and vitrified tiles which also have not so environmental friendly life cycle. Few solutions I can recommend are: 1) There should be policy and implementation of construction waste disposal by governments 2) Recycled products can be developed and promoted in masses which are made through recycled construction waste. 3) Wastage should be calculated before ordering interior materials

Pisos ecológicos s?o revestimentos fabricados com materiais naturais reaproveitados (madeira de demoli??o, corti?a, fibra de coco…) ou partindo de componentes reciclados (garrafa PET, borracha reciclável…). Logo, tanto o impacto na fabrica??o, instala??o e uso dos pisos ecológicos envolvem o tripé da sustentabilidade: ambiental, econ?mico e social. Como resultado, as constru??es também se tornam mais verdes e ecoeficientes. Hoje em dia existem selos de qualidade que garantem se o piso é ecologicamente correto.

When planning a home renovation with a focus on eco-friendly flooring, consider opting for alternative materials that minimize environmental impact. Concrete flooring, for instance, can be a sustainable choice when mixed with recycled materials and finished with low-VOC sealants. Cork, a rapidly renewable resource, offers a resilient and comfortable flooring option with excellent thermal insulation. Recycled rubber flooring, made from reclaimed tires, provides a durable and shock-absorbent solution, particularly suitable for high-traffic areas. Additionally, terrazzo composed of recycled glass or other aggregates can be a stylish and eco-conscious flooring alternative.

1. Choose Sustainable Materials: Opt for flooring materials that are made from renewable resources or recycled materials. Examples include bamboo, cork, reclaimed wood, linoleum, and recycled glass tiles. 2. Look for Certifications: Check if the flooring materials have been certified by recognized organizations for their environmental sustainability. Look for certifications such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for wood products or FloorScore certification for low VOC emissions. 3. Avoid Harmful Chemicals. 4. Consider Durability and Longevity 5. Opt for Local and Recycled Materials 6. Install Radiant Heating: Consider installing radiant heating systems underneath your flooring. 7. Consult with Green Building Professionals

Another eco-friendly flooring option is concrete. It is a natural product created by taking rocks, clay, and sand, grounding it down to a powder, and then mixing it to a semi-liquid form. Durable, low maintenance, has long-lasting strength, you can have a sleek industrial design in your home, while also being eco-friendly. Concrete is also great at maintaining temperatures in cold winter night or a hot summer day, it can help regulate the temperature in your home and it can help not only your energy bill but the environment as well.? Lastly, some concretes can be broken down into a powder to be recycled and reused again. If you’re worried about general wear and tear, you can do refinishing on concrete, or a polish to revamp it over time.?

Exploring innovative flooring options involves considering alternative, eco-friendly materials that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Concrete, stone, or ceramic tiles are durable and easy to maintain, with high thermal mass that helps regulate temperature. Cork or rubber tiles offer softness and resilience, along with sound absorption qualities. Carpet tiles provide modularity and customization, plus ease of replacement. These materials not only add flexibility and versatility to your design but also contribute to reducing environmental impact, offering a blend of practicality and sustainability in your flooring choices.

When selecting flooring for your home renovation, choose sustainable options like bamboo or cork. These materials have lower environmental impacts than other flooring types, and they are also less expensive. Additionally, these floors are easy to maintain and can last for many years with proper care.

Explore options such as bamboo flooring, known for its rapid renewability and durability. Choose natural linoleum made from biodegradable materials like linseed oil, offering a resilient and environmentally conscious flooring choice. Consider reclaimed wood for its unique character and the reuse of existing resources, aligning with eco-friendly principles. Finally, explore recycled carpet tiles, which repurpose materials like nylon and PET bottles, providing a comfortable and sustainable flooring option. By selecting these green finishes, a home renovation can achieve an environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing result.

Green finishes are great for the planet, and low-maintenance characteristics, are important to consider such as stain & scratch resistant, water-repellent, and easy to clean (think hardwax oils, powder-coated furniture, washable paints). Choose durable finishes with UV & scratch resistance for minimal touch-ups. From cork flooring to weatherproof metals, these eco-friendly options let you enjoy beauty without the hassle. Some care is still needed, but with the right choice, you'll have a stunning, sustainable space for years.

1st we need to understand what our client dislike of the existing floor! If is hard wood that could be sanded and refinished! If is not an option I would locally source flooring samples that are manufactured locally as well as asking questions to those manufacture to see how sustainable they are on the process of creating their products ( floorings).

Un exemple de situation peu pertinente dans le cadre d'un agencement d'espace durable → choisir un parquet en bois massif local, issu de forêts gérées durablement et labellisé (jusqu'ici tout va bien), pour ensuite l'enduire d'un vernis chimique émetteur de COV qui contribuera à une mauvaise qualité de l'air intérieur, est polluant...

Many low-carbon materials can be so durable in the external environment that constant maintenance is not necessary. But there are also others that have a shorter maintenance period, but this does not make them of lower quality. It is simply a matter of choosing and selecting the most suitable materials for each particular case.

Opt for finishes and materials that are easy to clean with environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning agents, reducing the need for harsh chemicals. Choose durable and low-maintenance materials that require fewer replacements, ultimately reducing waste. Consider installing energy-efficient appliances and systems to lower overall energy consumption. Additionally, incorporate sustainable landscaping practices, such as selecting native and drought-resistant plants, to reduce water usage and promote ecological balance around the renovated home. By integrating these eco-friendly maintenance strategies, a home renovation can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious living space.

Good and efficient maintenance is a leading strategy to save carbon emissions. Embodied carbon emissions in some industries contain up to 80% of the total cost of emissions. Suppose products and materials can last much longer due to proper maintenance. In that case, the embodied carbon will be saved for that extended time, reducing new production. Even better, if the maintenance is eco-friendly, the cycle can become virtuous (net positive). In any case, making the final product of the material last longer due to proper maintenance leads us to argue that efficiency and good quality are beneficial strategies for the planet as long as humans learn how to avoid being driven by consumerism trends and hold to high-quality products longer.

Optar por materiais de fácil manuten??o, que tenham bom desempenho, além de serem seguros é uma forma de estabelecer uma rela??o ecologicamente correta. Ao pensar na troca de materiais, é interessante pensarmos no descarte ou reuso do material proveniente da demoli??o, fazendo assim com que o ciclo de vida dos produtos aumente.

Para garantir que seu piso permane?a ecologicamente correto ao longo do tempo, é essencial adotar práticas de manuten??o sustentáveis. Utilize produtos de limpeza naturais ou caseiros, panos de microfibra e esfreg?es a vapor para reduzir o consumo de água, energia e produtos químicos. Além disso, proteja seu piso contra danos com tapetes e almofadas de móveis. Ao substituir o piso, opte por doar, reciclar ou compostar, dependendo do material, promovendo assim um ciclo sustentável de uso e descarte.

Non-Toxic Cleaners: Use environmentally friendly and non-toxic cleaning products to maintain your eco-friendly flooring. Harsh chemicals can have adverse effects on both indoor air quality and the environment. Regular Maintenance: Implement a regular maintenance routine to prolong the life of your flooring. This includes promptly addressing any issues, cleaning spills promptly, and using floor protectors to minimize wear and tear.

Além da escolha correta de materiais, é importante considerar a procedência e localiza??o do acabamento escolhido! Optar por fornecedores próximos ajuda a economia local e otimiza transporte e deslocamentos ??

Local Sourcing: Choose materials that are sourced locally to reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation. Durability: Select flooring materials known for their durability to minimize the need for frequent replacements, which can contribute to waste. Certifications: Look for eco-friendly certifications such as Green Guard or Cradle to Cradle to ensure that your chosen flooring meets stringent environmental standards.

In a renovation project, there would already be an existing flooring - think a mosaic, natural stone or a vitrified tiles floor in an Indian context. The most eco-friendly would be to salvage what is - polish the stone or the cement mosaic tiles. These materials age beautifully and can be enjoyed for decades or longer. If your tiled or IPS floor is damaged and must be replaced, a great sustainable and financially sound suggestion is to lay the new floor OVER the existing tiles, possibly with a suitable adhesive. This saves the extra effort of breaking, removing the old floor, levelling/ screeding again and then laying the new tiles. Saves water, time, energy.

Pour des rénovations écoresponsables, vous pouvez vous fournir en matériaux d'occasion ou auprès de plateformes de surplus de matériaux. Des solutions "antigaspi" et économiques !

Don't forget the aesthetic and artistic aspect of eco-friendly flooring beyond the choice of salvaged or natural materials and non-toxic finishes. When flooring with materials such as local stone is installed by artisans or craftspeople, consider incorporating patterns that reflect the surrounding environment. When I had such an opportunity, I created patterns of flora and fauna from broken left-over sandstone pieces, visibly set in the floor of a verandah that led to the adjoining forest. It enhanced the emotional experience of walking on and in the midst of nature.