Flooring is a broad phrase for a permanent floor covering or installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a broad phrase that refers to any finish material that is put over a floor structure to provide a walking surface.
Flooring solutions are vital to the construction process, affecting the building’s aesthetics and health. For this reason, it’s essential to understand their impact and consider the sustainability of your choices early in the design phase.
Wood floors are one of the most eco-friendly options because they use fewer raw materials, energy, and natural resources than other flooring types. Plus, wood is a renewable resource that doesn’t contribute to global warming.
Environmentally friendly
As the environment becomes increasingly important for people, there are a plethora of flooring solutions, like those flooring solutions Greenville NC that have an eco-friendly impact. You can choose floors that support a healthier planet, from bamboo to natural stone, without sacrificing elegance.
Choosing flooring that can be recycled or biodegraded is another way to reduce your home’s environmental footprint. It can be especially helpful in commercial buildings, where materials used to build floors may travel long distances and generate pollution throughout the distribution process.
The type of material used to make your floors also influences their sustainability. For example, many wood floor manufacturers use sustainable forest management practices to ensure they don’t contribute to deforestation.
Cork and bamboo are great eco-friendly flooring options because they are harvested from fast-growing, renewable natural resources. Unlike hardwood, which takes years to grow and requires significant re-harvesting, cork and bamboo can be harvested with a minimal impact on the planet.
Safety
Having the right flooring solution is a considerable investment and can significantly affect your facility’s safety. Not only do they prevent slips and trips, but they also help keep people safe in a fire or an accident.
To avoid slips, a floor must resist wet and dry contaminants. Wet contaminants create a film that prevents contact with shoes, and dry contaminants can act like millions of tiny ball bearings.
Durability
Whether building a new commercial space or remodeling your existing one, your flooring solution should be durable. In addition, it must handle heavy foot traffic, unexpected spills, and impacts.
Impact resistance is an essential component of durability because people often drop things on floors accidentally, which can cause them to crack and degrade. So especially if you have pets or children, choosing high-impact resistance flooring is a good idea.
Fortunately, there are several flooring options available that offer durability at an affordable price. These include ceramic and porcelain tile, hardwood floors, and laminate.