Sustainable Flooring Buying Guide
Looking for eco-friendly flooring for your home? Choose from our selection of carpet tiles, cork flooring, bamboo flooring, and vinyl floor tiles. Learn about the benefits of environment friendly flooring, our installation services, and more in our Sustainable Flooring Buying Guide.
Make Your Home Eco-Friendly
Sustainable flooring is the first step to an environmentally friendly home. From selecting your floor material to installing your sustainable flooring, we will help you make the best choices for you and our home! Shop online or visit a Lowe's nearest you and speak to a specialist today.
What is Sustainable Flooring?
Sustainable flooring is any flooring that has little or no impact on the environment during production, use, and end of life-cycle. Look for these factors when choosing a sustainable floor:
- Sustainable harvesting practices.
- Made from natural or renewable materials.
- Manufacturing has little to no waste.
- Has little impact on the environment when disposed of.
Types of Sustainable Flooring
Carpet Tile
Carpet is a common choice for sustainable flooring, because it provides a warm and cozy atmosphere for homes. Carpets made out of natural and renewable materials, like organic cotton, organic wool, and bamboo, are great eco-friendly options.
Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is a known for its durability and positive impact on the environment. It is harvested sustainably from the bark of cork oak trees and can only be harvested every eight to 14 years from trees that are at least 25-years-old. Also, the manufacturing process creates very little waste, as it is a byproduct of wine corks.
Bamboo Flooring
Made out of natural material, bamboo is a great choice for durable and stable flooring. Highly renewable and sustainable, bamboo is actually a type of grass. Bamboo reaches maturity after five years of growth and then can regenerate itself, in contrast to hardwood, which can take up to 20 years to reach maturity.
Vinyl Floor Tile
Vinyl floor tile is easy to install and a practical option for kitchens and home offices. Eco-friendly vinyl floor tile is PVC-free and constructed with 100 percent recycled materials, limiting its environmental impact at the end of its life-cycle.
Maintaining Sustainable Flooring
Cork: Sweep or vacuum cork flooring regularly, and, when necessary, use a damp mop with cork floor cleaner to wipe up heavy stains or spills. It is recommended that cork flooring be sealed every year or two to protect it from UV rays and wear and tear.
Bamboo: Clean bamboo floors regularly and soak up spills immediately with a dry towel or mop – never wet-mop a floor, as it can cause permanent damage. Never use cleaners that are ammonia-based, wax-based, or contain bleach or vinegar. It is a good idea to fit furniture legs with protective caps or felt tips and to keep your pets' nails trimmed to prevent excessive scratching.
Sustainable carpet and vinyl flooring can be cleaned with the usual cleaners and detergents.
Lowe's Will Install Flooring for You
Visit your local Lowe's and speak to a Flooring Specialist who will help you schedule an in-home visit. Our installer will measure your space and note any existing damage to walls or baseboards. On the day of the installation, let us do the work so all you have to do is sit back and relax!
Related Articles
Want to redecorate but not sure where to start? Try from the ground up with our Area Rug Buying Guide. We have rugs to suit every room and taste. Learn more.
Whether solid or engineered, birch, maple, oak, or another exotic species, hardwood flooring is always a great choice. Find out more with our Hardwood Buying Guide.
Basement Flooring Buying Guide
Learn which flooring is best for basements, the different types of subfloors, maintenance, and booking an installation in our Basement Flooring Buying Guide.