Flooring: Green and Not Green Choices

Environmentally Unfriendly Flooring

Several types of flooring have a negative impact on the environment and indoor air quality. Composite and engineered flooring, plastic sheets, particle board and plywood are all environmentally unsound and unhealthy because
the veneer, glue, backing material and finish have an heavy environmental impact during manufacturing and they outgas into the home. Many types of glue contain formaldehyde, urea and other dangerous ingredients that outgas. These products continue to pollute in a landfill, as chemicals leech into ground, and the product is not biodegradable.

Vinyl
is also environmentally unsound, as it is derived from crude oil, requires great amounts of energy to create and pollutes during excavation and manufacturing processes. Vinyl contains PVC's, which outgas into the home. Vinyl is not biodegradable unless incinerated, a process that emits dangerous toxic emissions. In a landfill, vinyl leaches chlorine and heavy metals into the ground.

Carpet
is notorious for holding dust mites and particulates and thereby creates poor air quality. Unless you choose an organic, pesticide and chemical-free carpet, new carpets will outgas for up to a year, producing that "new smell". Many buyers will be sensitive to this odor and will not appreciate it. Carpets are also known for holding dirt and allergens, which degrades air quality.

But, if your carpets are in great condition, you can probably leave them. I wrote probably because hardwood is the favored flooring these days. If you are uncertain about whether you should replace carpet with certified sustainable hardwood or bamboo flooring, ask the advice of your agent.

Generally speaking, most agents across the country told me buyers preferred hardwood flooring in the social spaces—kitchen, living room, entry—and carpeting in bedrooms. So, if the carpets in the bedrooms are in great condition, it doesn't pay to change them to a more eco-friendly alternative.

If your flooring is any of the above materials and is in poor condition, I recommend you replace the products with hardwood or bamboo. If the vinyl, composite flooring or carpet is in great condition, however, you can opt to clean them thoroughly and leave them.

That said, if all your neighbors have hardwood instead of carpet, your home will most likely sell faster with the change in flooring.

Eco-Friendly Flooring

Hardwood

Hardwood is a wonderful choice for flooring, if the wood comes from a sustainable source or is reclaimed. Sustainably harvested wood is wood that comes from forests where growth is managed. Look for sustainable hardwoods or softwoods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Hardwood flooring is also very popular, as Philip Kent Kiracofe, President of Manhattan Association of Realtors puts it: "The elegance and character of hardwood flooring makes it the most popular flooring option. Usually, this is dictated by what is already in place in the building, with pre-war buildings often featuring herringbone pattern and parquet floors, while new developments may feature sustainable floors like bamboo, or fashionable wide plank designs."

Reclaimed wood flooring is wood that has been saved from an old building and is very popular now.

If you have hardwood floors, but they are dull, scratched or stained, refurbish them. Refurbish hardwood floors by sanding them and putting on a new finish. You can rent a sander yourself to save money, but they are tricky to use. Most refinishers will use a urethane finish, which is both toxic and smells. Instead of urethane, opt for natural wood oil, like Osmo's Polyx Oil (See Resources under Wood Finishes, Eco Haus™).

Urethane seals a floor, whereas wood oil penetrates, leaving pores open. Wood oil results in a very natural look, and a subtle shine. It also has only a faint orangey smell when freshly applied and is non-toxic. Keep the floors looking brand new with natural wax and cleaner. (See Step 4 on how to use.)

If you decide to go the eco-friendly route, make sure you include that in the eco-friendly chart. As a gift, leave the buyer with a container of wax and cleaner.

You can also purchase prefinished floors that have been finished with urethane that is cured using UV light, which prevents the outgassing of urethane. This finish is more appropriate in places like kitchens or entryways that get wet frequently.

Bamboo

Bamboo is actually
grass that grows approximately six times faster than wood and is almost as dense and hard wearing as oak. Bamboo does not need pesticides or fertilizers to grow. Bamboo is also an affordable choice in flooring.

All of the following types of flooring are eco-friendly; if you have any of them and they are in good condition, leave them.

• Stone
  
• Marble
  
• Slate
  
• Ceramic
  
• Brick
  
• Tile
  
• Mosaic
  
• Terrazzo
  
• Concrete
  
• Cork— an entirely sustainable crop; features flexibility, high insulation value and is resistant to water.
  
• Linoleum—composed of natural ingredients including linseed oil, wood flour, pine resin, jute and limestone. It is also biodegradable.
  Marmoleum by Forbo, is one brand that I like. However, some manufacturers may call their product linoleum when it is composed of polyvinyl chloride; so check product contents carefully.
  

Linoleum is fairly inexpensive and Marmoleum offers an amazing choice of colors and patterns. It is a nice choice for laundry rooms, kid's bathrooms, bedrooms and playrooms and other casual spaces.

Buyer's Benefit: All the eco-friendly flooring is safe for children and pets to play on. None of them degrade air quality and all are recyclable and biodegradable.