Cork is one of the most environmentally friendly species of wood used in flooring today. Cork flooring is actually created from the bark of the cork oak tree, a relative of the beech family that is found in western Mediterranean countries. While cork trees are stripped of their bark every nine to 14 years, the tree is never cut down and the habitat is never disturbed. Cork flooring is remarkably resistant to wear and tear, and provides incredible acoustical insulation.
Another unique floor option is bamboo, which is actually a grass rather than a wood. Bamboo is fast growing and replenishable, producing new shoots every year. Natural bamboo flooring is also highly durable – 13% harder than red oak and 50% more stable than maple. Its distinct grains provide an elegant pattern that can add a unique look to any room of your home.
Although hardwood flooring options from rapidly sustainable resources have been around for several years, Eco Flooring is taking it to a whole new level. Eco Flooring’s products all fall into at least one of five categories:
This is opening up a whole new array of choices to consumers who are looking to be environmentally conscious but still have a more traditional looking flooring product, and includes more common species like birch, hickory, acacia, oak, walnut , chestnut, cypress and cherry as well as many others. There are nearly a hundred different options of finishes, species, thicknesses and widths available.
