Minutes with Meg : On the Right Path

On The Right Path

Flooring is not  a simple or an inexpensive fix for most of us. New flooring is a large home project that takes quite a bit of time and can be very costly. However, flooring is one of the most heavily used materials you will install in your home. This is why it is a PERFECT opportunity to use materials that are both sustainable in nature and sustainably sourced.

When it is time to update your flooring, it is important to know what you’re looking for as a fit for you and your family;  while also looking for eco-friendly options.

One factor you should consider is the affect that a material will have on your health. My current college apartment has mainly carpet with a higher pile. We have tried so hard to clean it, but we just cannot seem to get it clean enough. It holds in all of the dust mold and animal dander that will accumulate and make my allergies go BERSERK. Growing up, my family also had allergies. Luckily we had hardwood floors throughout most of our home. Hardwood is
allergy friendly. Other good allergy-friendly flooring options are cork and bamboo which are both extremely sustainable. 

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Different Types of Flooring

Carpet

For the most part, traditional carpet contains harmful VOC’s since it is usually manufactured using petroleum based chemicals and made out of nylon. On the other hand, sustainable carpet, is typically manufactured using natural or recycled materials. It is also usually produced using process’s that are not as harmful to the environment.
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When comparing carpet companies keep a lookout for:
Durability
Recyclability
How the carpet is made
Avoid adhesives with VOC’s
Carpet pad- 100% recycled fibers

Advantages of Carpet
Warmth
Comfort
Style Options
Price 
Disadvantages
Maintenance
Installation

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Tile

 Porcelain and ceramic tiles are very environmentally friendly. They are usually made with clay and water and can be sustainably sourced in many cases. It is extremely durable which makes it easy to recycle. I for one, LOVE tile with fun prints or even making fun prints with plain tiles in different colors. There is wayyy too many options for my indecisive mind.

Advantages of Tile
Style
Versatility
Durability
Waterproof/resistant

Disadvantages of Tile 
Price
Installation

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Hardwoods

There are many different types of hardwood, among them are reclaimed, engineered, and solid hardwood. All come with their own pros and cons list and degrees of how sustainable each CAN be. Reclaimed is sustainable in that trees are not being chopped down because by definition reclaimed pieces are pieces that were used for one purpose and now have been re-worked for another. It is bringing second life to materials that have already served an original use. Engineered utilized real wood veneers, which uses less of the actual tree to create each board.  Solid hardwood seems to explain itself in that it is a board of a wood. Solid hardwood tends to be the most expensive of the three and can be the least sustainable depending on the wood type.

 When searching for hardwood:

• Look for companies that use sustainable processes.
• Find out if the wood has been certified as sustainably grown by the Forest Stewardship Council or another similar organization.
• Make sure wood is formaldehyde-free
• Make sure it is created using stains with no VOC’s

Advantages

• Water-resistant
• Price
• Easy to clean
• Lasts a long time

Disadvantages

• Maintenance
• Price

At the end of the day flooring LITERALLY takes up the most square footage in our homes. If we can make more conscious choices on what materials and how they are sourced, we are on the right path to building a more sustainable home. 
Until next time, This is Minutes with Meg

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https://www.zerorezatlanta.com/blog/best-flooring-options-for-allergy-sufferers
​https://www.flooringinc.com/blog/eco-friendly-flooring/
https://houseandhomenashville.com/2342/green-interiors-traditional-versus-sustainable-flooring-material-guide/
https://shawfloors.com/flooring/hardwood/details/reflections-white-oak-sw661/natural
https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/tile/projects-inspiration/subway-tile-bathroom/
http://www.kingfisherflooring.co.uk/naturalfibre
https://www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g16602260/hardwood-floor-ideas/?slide=11