Flooring

Get Floored by the Options for Cooler Flooring

 
by Shannon Dauphin
 
When choosing flooring materials for your home, consider this: You will be up close and personal with your flooring every single day. Choosing the proper flooring can make a huge difference in how you feel about your living space.
 

Flooring for a "Cool" House

Some flooring materials can cool down your house and cut down on your utility bills.  Here are a few ecologically friendly options:

  • Hardwood Floors. Wood floors are easy to maintain and quite durable. Hardwood flooring is often made of reclaimed and recycled wood, and will never wind up in a landfill. Hardwood floors can also add to your home's market value.
  • Bamboo Flooring. Bamboo is not actually a wood--it's a grass. That grass can be even tougher than hardwood floors and last just as long. Bamboo has a smooth, slick feel underfoot and is a leader in "green" building.
  • Cork Flooring. Cork flooring is made from tree bark. It is warm to the touch, a natural repellent for insects and mold, and has some "give" to it, making it cushiony and comfortable on the feet.
 
Other Flooring Options
Flooring that has often been considered bad for the environment has gotten a makeover in recent years. Here are your new, improved options:
  • Carpet. Forget synthetics! Natural options, such as wool, jute, or sea grass, are made of renewable resources and are biodegradable. Just remember to ask for environmentally-safe backing and padding, too.
  • Concrete. A flooring option for those who want versatility in appearance, concrete can often mimic the look of stone. It's cool underfoot and friendly to your utility bills.
  • Linoleum. Search for linoleum floor materials made from natural resources, such as cork or tree rosin. It can last for forty years or more, offers excellent durability, and won't release harmful chemicals into the air.
 
Environmentally Safe Flooring is Cool
The best flooring not only saves on your utility bills, but eases the environmental impact as well. Choose flooring that appeals to the eye, feels good on your toes, and makes you feel good about your purchase. You live on your floors, day in and day out--so make sure your floor is one you can live with!
 
About the Author:
Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
 
Source(s):
Julie M. Young     Green Floors: Six Materials to Have Underfoot     

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