Natural Flooring Materials

Wood is just one natural flooring material option.

In an age when more and more people are looking to reduce their "carbon footprint" and become more environmentally friendly, natural flooring materials are becoming more popular. There are numerous different flooring options to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Wood

Hardwood flooring is very popular.

Wood flooring remains the most popular type of natural flooring material for a number of reasons. A primary reason is that the range and selection of wood flooring available is very wide, ranging from softwoods to hardwoods, each with its own unique color, grain, pattern and appeal. Another reason this type of flooring is so common is the fact that a wood floor is incredibly durable, lasting for decades with minimal maintenance required. Hardwood floors do not stain, and can simply be wiped clean. However, the main disadvantage of a hardwood floor is price: a high-quality hardwood floor can be very expensive to install.

Stone

Stone flooring stays cool in warm weather.

One of the oldest types of flooring around -- having been used for centuries -- stone flooring is often considered the most beautiful of the natural flooring options available. There are many types of stone flooring -- slate, granite and limestone, for example -- each with its own pattern and color. Stone flooring is naturally antimicrobial and this, coupled with its smooth finish, means that it is a very hygienic flooring option. It also loses heat quickly, so in warmer climates it can provide cool relief for hot and aching feet.

Cork

Cork flooring has excellent thermal properties.

A perhaps lesser-known flooring option is cork. Sustainably sourced, in that it is made from bark that regrows on trees, its cushioning qualities mean that it is an ideal option for the kitchen, where plates or glasses that may be dropped have less of a chance of breaking. Cork also has exceptional heat-retaining and sound-deadening qualities, due to the fact that a large percentage of cork is comprised simply of air. However, cork flooring should not be used for high-traffic areas, as it can get easily damaged; similarly, cork flooring should be avoided in areas where the risk of exposure to moisture is high, such as bathrooms or basements. However, it is easy to install, very resilient and naturally hypoallergenic, so it is easy to see why cork is fast becoming a more common flooring option.

Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is very environmentally friendly.

Bamboo flooring is a relatively new addition to the market. There are a number of advantages to bamboo flooring. Bamboo is stronger than most hardwoods and is very resilient. Because it is naturally moisture-resistant, it is also ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. For those who are more environmentally-minded, bamboo is much more sustainable than hardwoods; it is such a fast-growing plant that it takes just five years to mature, while some hardwoods can take 10 times as long. When purchasing bamboo flooring, buyers should avoid the cheapest ones, as they may find that the quality of bamboo purchased is not as high as those in the more expensive price ranges.

Linoleum

Linoleum flooring is highly durable.

Often confused with vinyl flooring, linoleum is actually a natural material which, like vinyl, is soft and easy to maintain. Spills and stains can simply be wiped off. Linoleum is also naturally hypoallergenic as well as anti-static, meaning that it repels dust and dirt, and potentially allergenic particles. Linoleum is also a very durable material and, unlike vinyl, where colors and patters are printed onto the surface of the material, the color is embedded throughout the fibers, meaning that they do not fade over time. Its naturally fire-resistant qualities also pay testament to the fact that this type of flooring was, at one time, one of the most popular floor coverings available.

Ceramic Tile

There is a wide choice of ceramic tile options available.

Made from natural materials such as earthenware and porcelain, ceramic tiles are a very popular choice of flooring. Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, patterns and colors, ceramic tile can suit almost any decor. Similarly, its smooth finish means that spills and dirt can be wiped away with ease. As well as being a durable material, the nature of ceramics is such that under-floor heating or cooling systems can be installed, making ceramic tile floors functional as well as attractive.

References

• Natural Flooring for the Home
• Flooring Materials
• Five Earth-Friendly, Natural Flooring Options
• Stone Flooring From Past to Present