Green Your Floors

Going through a renovation? Looking to remodel or replace your floors? What about those old dingy carpets? Eeeek! It all sounds overwhelming already.

Many questions arise when considering flooring. Should you use hardwood or linoleum, linoleum or carpet, or maybe hardwood and an area rug? Then, what about all the wood used to make floors? Or what about the chemicals in linoleum cement? And what about the carpets—made with synthetic fibers? Carpets are not only derived from petroleum, but also glued together with urea formaldehyde, a harsh chemical and suspected carcinogenic substance. Then, of course, there are the obvious questions of cost, quality and maintenance.

A great way to avoid renovation-related anxiety is to choose “green floors.” Green floors are made from sustainable or recycled materials, which not only last longer than conventional flooring, but also ensure a healthier environment for your home. A healthier home and a longer lasting carpet will end up saving you time and money . . . and who doesn’t need to save those?

Stay tuned. This week I’ll give you a day by day guide to greening your floors.

Posted on January 7th, 2008 by Olivia Zaleski