Using Sustainable Flooring

Using a sustainable flooring option won’t deplete our natural resources — there are many gorgeous options to choose from:

If you’re under the impression that environmentally friendly flooring products, such as bamboo and cork, are nothing more than the latest fad that will soon disappear, then think again. Though very different from each other, both are high quality products that make beautiful and durable floors. In addition, bamboo and cork are easy to install and cost about the same as traditional hardwood.

What Is Sustainable Flooring?

Simply put, sustainable flooring is a material that doesn’t deplete natural resources when harvested. In fact, both bamboo and cork regenerate themselves and can be maintained indefinitely. Below is a comparison on how each is grown and harvested.

Traditional Wood Flooring

• Sustainable: No
• Material: Wood (oak, pine, etc.)
• Maturity: 30-100 years
• How Harvested: Timber cutting
• When Harvested: Once at maturity then replanted

Bamboo

• Sustainable: Yes
• Material: Grass
• Maturity: 5-7 years
• How Harvested: Cut at ground level
• When Harvested: Every 5-7 years, regrows from roots

Cork

• Sustainable: Yes
• Material: Wood Bark
• Maturity: 25 years
• How Harvested: Bark is peeled away
• When Harvested: Every 9-12 years, tree remains alive while bark regenerates

While sustainability is important, a product has to perform well to be a viable alternative. Fortunately, both bamboo and cork have a lot going for them.

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