5 Most Popular Eco-Friendly Flooring Solutions

Nowadays, going green is a trend and it’s what most interior designing companies in Singapore take into consideration while creating outlines of their work. Plus, most homeowners go for environmentally-friendly solutions, thanks to recent research and new-found ideas.

Eco-friendly flooring is part of this and rightfully so: most are relatively cheaper, are perceived to have health benefits, and are as durable as other materials. Plus, there wouldn’t be any need to cut down trees if you pick them.

Let’s take a look at some of the best and most popular examples out there:

Bamboo flooring

Contrary to popular belief, bamboo is not actually a type of wood – it’s a type of grass.

Easily the most renewable materials ever, bamboo floors can be as durable as red oak especially when it is made from natural and un-carbonized bamboo. Strand woven bamboo is also among the certain types of bamboo that can be extremely hard, strong, and durable than some types of wood. It has always been a popular flooring choice for people living in rural areas in the eastern parts of Asia. Now, it has invaded urban areas and big cities.

It’s light, easy to maintain, and most of all, easy to plant. Most species can grow up to three centimeters in a single hour. It takes far less time to mature compared to a tree as well.

Bamboo floors are available in varied hues and colors, giving you various options. They are highly resistant to termites, mold, and water damage. 

Aside from these advantages bamboo flooring has, it is also considered among the trendy flooring materials that can elevate the grandeur of a space. Bamboo flooring has an appearance that is similar to hardwood floors and yet, is still distinct and unique. This can add an ineffable class to a room.

Non-chemically treated carpets

Using chemically-treated materials is highly discouraged. Chemically treated carpets are able to expel toxic fumes – and although this will only have a minimal effect on your overall health, it’s still uncomfortable walking on something that is trying to kill you.

Jokes aside, there are organic carpet options like those made of cotton and wool. Both materials are pretty durable and feel good on the feet if well-taken care of. This type flooring option is best for homes with kids or family members susceptible to negative effects of chemicals.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are a great flooring option: they’re pretty durable, easy to clean, are relatively cheaper, and easy to manufacture compared to other materials.

This material has been around since ancient times and has always been used in pottery and plates. It can also be easily decorated and customized – different patterns can be drawn into them, giving you an astounding number of options.

These tiles are better options compared to ceramic varieties and are stronger, pound for pound. That being said, they are also suited for high traffic parts of the house, like the living room, bathroom, and kitchen.
To easily know the difference between ceramic and porcelain/homogeneous, break one of each and check out the insides. The latter contains the same material all the way through, while the former is made up of different materials – only ceramic coating is on the top layer.

Sealed Concrete

Yes, we know: concrete is ugly. However, it’s green, even though it’s gray.

That being said, it’s usually covered with carpets or tiles in homes – you never see it bare and exposed. However, given its durability, it never needs to be replaced in your lifetime. Concrete can be polished and tinted to suit your aesthetic needs as well.

You can have epoxy or concrete sealants applied to it, but both materials are horrendously toxic and are skin and eye irritants – you’ll need pros to apply them for you.

Laminated Floors

This type of flooring is relatively new compared to others. Despite that, it has taken the world by surprise: there are numerous companies and homeowners investing in the material.

Though they may look like pieces of wood and stone, they’re composed of high density fiberboard which are strongly pressed together with high pressure. The “wooden” look is a photograph of a hardwood – it can simulate the feel of the wood without needing one! This alone makes it a green option and a perfect substitute if you want your home to have hardwood-looking floors.