With sustainability becoming an ever-growing concern, many consumers these days are striving to buy more “green” products—that is, products that respect the environment and the planet we live on. This trend has already touched the flooring industry, with many companies their type of flooring is greener than another. While this may be true in some cases, how is the consumer able to sort through all the noise and find out which flooring type is both right for their home andenvironmentally conscious?
By reading this blog post, of course! E Hardwoods & Flooring, where you can buy hardwood flooring online, discusses the sustainability factor of a few of its products below.
Engineered hardwood flooring is composed of a layer of durable plywood, followed by a thin slice of hardwood overlay. It’s easy to install, holds up to moisture, and gives the appearance of luxurious hardwood flooring without the high price tag.
Because engineered hardwood uses a relatively small amount of hardwood, producing it arguably has a smaller impact on certain forests than does the production of solid hardwood flooring. Certain engineered flooring brands have even taken steps to give back to the environment from which they harvest their resources.
Mannington is a solid hardwood and engineered hardwood brand that maintains a strong commitment to transparency and sustainability. This company has planted thousands of native shrubs to stop erosion and to discourage runoff. These shrubs, in addition to acting as a physical barrier that prevents soil destruction, also provide a home to birds native to the area.
Urbanfloor also places a high value on environmentally responsible practices. It has pledged to only use environmentally friendly glues in the construction of its engineered hardwood floors. They also only source their wood from responsibly managed forests.
Swedish flooring brand Kährs consults with forestry firms to strive toward sustainable reforestation practices. It recycles all wood waste products and heats over 6,000 Swedish homes by doing so. In 1999, the company introduced flooring that locked in place mechanically, instead of with possibly environmentally damaging glue. Even before that, the brand revolutionized sustainability practices within the flooring industry with its multilayer parquet method of flooring construction.
You may assume that regular hardwood flooring isn’t great for the environment because it does use trees. This natural resource can contribute to deforestation when used too often, but not all wooden products come from unsustainable sources. The truth is that it’s an eco-friendly option because it is so long-lasting. It doesn’t require a mix of difficult-to-recycle materials like plastics. And, if well-maintained, it can last for an incredibly long time.
Plus, hardwood flooring doesn’t always come from poorly sourced trees. Many brands are committed to using recycled materials. Overall, engineered hardwood is a more eco-friendly option, but you don’t have to feel bad about choosing more traditional hardwood either.
Our prefinished hardwood selections are pretty easy to install, as it’s already been stained and treated. This means, you can order your favorite eco-friendly flooring and quickly install it.
At E Hardwoods & Flooring, we understand that sustainability is essential to many of our customers. We want to support you in living a lifestyle that makes you feel good, so we provide a wide range of eco-friendly options and brands. You’ll be able to find a more sustainable choice that is durable and beautiful.
Our online store sells everything from waterproof wood-look flooring to prefinished hardwood flooring; we’d be happy to answer any sustainability-related questions about our products. Peruse our online stock here, or give us a call today.