Hall Flooring Official Blog: 3.14.16 Eco-Friendly Flooring

There’s no denying that hardwood flooring is a highly desirable luxury for any home. Many people do not think about the effects this amenity has on the environment -- it’s worth taking a look at! If you’re trying to be mindful of your impact on the environment, it might be a good idea to check out some of these eco-friendly flooring options.

Engineered hardwood is considered to be the closest alternative to a full hardwood setup, without containing as much wood as other options. Typically, engineered hardwood contains around ⅛-inch of actual wood on the top, which is available in any desired wood type and finish. The inner layers contain plywood, fiberboard, and in some cases, hardwood. Nonetheless, it uses a substantially lower amount of actual wood, which allows it to reduce the impact it has on the environment. It’s important to note that your engineered hardwood is only good for a few refinishes, should you change your mind on the desired color.

This option is great for those who want an environmentally sound option for their flooring. Get this, bamboo (although scientifically classified as a grass) is actually 10 percent harder than red oak! While bamboo is considered a ‘hard’ option for flooring, it’s actually highly processed to form the wood planks. The benefit to this type of wood is that it is also is self-replenishing -- this means fewer trees used! Bamboo can be stained and laminated to almost any color. This type of plant is extremely efficient because it matures in the wild in five years, whereas a tree could take upwards of 50.

Environmentally friendly flooring choices don’t have to be hard. These options are certainly the best possible for those being mindful about their flooring. Hall Flooring is the Tri-State area's leading distributor of high quality wood flooring options! Call us today at one of our large locations, or reach out to us here. For more tips, tricks, and flooring ideas, like us on Facebook!