September 5, 2022
When we hear the words eco-friendly, oftentimes we think of the same bland, boring colours with the same old materials. Some might even think it is expensive or high maintenance but we are here to tell you that it is not! At least for the most part. Tons of designers and manufacturers have been developing beautiful yet sustainable non-toxic flooring options for both residential and commercial spaces here in Australia. We have come a long way, to say the least.
While it is great that ‘eco-friendly’ is one of the main features when choosing an ideal flooring, it can be overwhelming for homeowners due to the extra choices. With flooring being one of the first and largest spaces to cover in a home, the last thing you would want to do is mull over and over again the flooring options available and delay the rest of your renovations. You are in luck because here is your one-stop everything guide to eco-friendly flooring.
Let us begin by understanding why you should consider eco flooring in your home. It goes without saying that eco-friendly flooring is environmentally healthier. There are fewer toxins and chemicals emitted, lessening pollution in the atmosphere.
Furthermore, these chemical compounds can lead to headaches, nausea, eye irritation and over time, possible damage to your nervous system. Overall, it is an uncomfortable experience for you and your loved ones to have at home. On a brighter note, having natural floor coverings will lead to lesser waste and a healthier lifestyle. Not only will you feel good about opting environmentally friendlier flooring, but you will also get better use out of these sustainable materials.
You might have a few eco floor types in mind along with a few questions like Is bamboo flooring eco-friendly? Or Can cork flooring be recyclable? Not to fret, here is a list of our top 10 eco-friendly floor choices and why you should also start considering them too. You might find some of them in our Top Flooring Choices of 2022 list. These are just some of the few best flooring options here in Australia that you can consider for both residential and commercial spaces.
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Susceptible to moisture and humidity damages |
| Renewable | Look and finishes may not match with existing interior |
| Easily maintained | Limited colour options |
| Can be refinished | |
| DIY-friendly |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Susceptible moisture damages |
| Can be refinished | Surface may fade due to sun exposure |
| Easily installed | Susceptible to divots by heavy furniture and appliances |
| Easily maintained | |
| DIY-friendly |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Has a hard and cold underfoot |
| Easily maintained | Susceptible to moisture damages |
| Provides a clean, minimalistic look | Slippery |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Expensive but prices vary according to the grade |
| Versatile as it works for both outdoor and indoor | Susceptible to water damages |
| Stays naturally cool | Slippery |
| Controls allergens | Requires professional installation |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Expensive but prices vary according to the grade |
| Easily maintained | Requires professional installation |
| Zero water absorption | |
| Aesthetically pleasing on most interiors |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable and resistant to wear and tear | Requires professional installation |
| Easily installed | Surface may fade due to sun exposure |
| Easily maintained | Depending on the type, several linoleums may be susceptible to moisture damage |
| Water-resistant | |
| Scratch-resistant | |
| Aesthetically pleasing |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Costly to install |
| Easily maintained | |
| Stain-resistant |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Expensive but prices vary according to the grade |
| Retains its colour over time | Shedding |
| Easily maintained |
| Pros | Cons |
| Inexpensive | Susceptible to moisture damages |
| DIY-friendly | |
| Stain-resistant |
| Pros | Cons |
| Durable | Can get labour intensive when removing |
| Easily installed | May have a negative impact on home resale value |
| Easily maintained | Shorter lifespan than wood floors |
| Water-resistant | |
| Stain-resistant | |
| Cost-effective |
Making the right choice can be a different answer for everyone and it does not have to be just limited to one right choice. Ideally, you would want to have an eco-friendly and cost-efficient flooring. Instead, let us choose the right flooring according to the types of spaces.
When it comes to commercial spaces or office spaces, you would want a floor type that is highly resistant to stains and scratches and withstands high foot traffic while maintaining a clean yet stylish look and feel.
Generally, most would consider installing vinyl sheets or tiles in their display office space but have carpet tiles installed for specific office spaces such as meeting rooms. This is because vinyl sheets or tiles require low maintenance and withstand heavy foot traffic. On the other hand, carpet tiles are sound absorbent, making this a perfect choice for places like meeting rooms. And yes, carpet tiles are eco-friendly too!
Now in residential spaces, there are different floors to suit the needs of each space in your home. Materials for flooring are particularly important as each of them caters to different needs.
Kitchens go through a lot of wear and tear such as spills, heat and foot traffic depending on your home. You would want a floor that can withstand all those while still looking good.
A great floor option would be Engineered Bamboo. Bamboo, while similar to hardwood, is actually stronger and more durable. Engineered Bamboo has a waterproof coating which makes it ideal for places like the kitchen or even bathrooms.
With bedrooms being the few places you and your loved ones constantly walk in and out of, you would want a floor type that has a comfortable and quiet underfoot that provides a cosy atmosphere. Either carpet tiles or wool carpet would be ideal. They have a huge range of colours and designs to choose from, matching any aesthetic of your choice.
Apart from the bedrooms, bathrooms are also some of the most frequent places at home. Ceramic, Glass or Porcelain tiles would be great options to have installed as they are resilient, waterproof and versatile in style.
At the top of our list would be Linoleum. However, there is also bamboo and cork flooring. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they are also considered to be some of the few cheapest flooring options available. Most of the time, there is a misconception that cheap flooring options would not have an eco-friendly advantage but many homeowners have now found that to be untrue.
Yes, it very much depends on the material it was made out of. Generally, vinyl flooring is quite eco-friendly as you would be able to recycle them after.
Linoleum is a natural flooring option made out of linseed oil, tree resin, jute and cork powder. As all of its materials are natural, linoleum flooring does not emit any harmful chemical compounds during installation or renovation. Hence, having the lowest environmental impact.
Having installed an eco-friendly or an eco-friendlier floor in your home, you play a part in helping our environment become a better place while elevating your home experience to a whole new level of comfort and functionality. Here at Jupps Flooring, we are more than happy in helping you make the right decisions for your home flooring while keeping sustainability in mind. From sustainable wood to recycled floorboards, our friendly flooring experts are capable of providing the best flooring consultation to help kickstart your eco-friendly journey. Drop an enquiry here and we will be in touch soon!
