Green | Eco-Friendly
Flooring

• Carpet manufacturers in general are taking steps toward greener production, from reducing greenhouse emissions to extending carpets’ longevity to reduce waste.

• Some manufacturers are making carpet fibers from highly sustainable materials.

  • Recycled soda and water bottles: The bottles are sorted, ground into chips, and cleaned; the chips are then melted, extruded into fiber, and spun into carpet yarn.

  • Corn sugar.

• The industry is minimizing environmental impact by recycling carpet at the end of its life, whether into new carpet or other products, such as roofing shingles and automotive parts.

A grass by definition, bamboo can often have the hardness of a hardwood. It has also risen in popularity over the last few years thanks to its exotic look, durability, affordability, and its eco-friendly story.

Unlike wood harvested from trees that take 30+ years to mature, bamboo is ready for harvesting in 5-7 years which makes it the most sustainable hard surface flooring products in the world.

Floors Etc. offers both the highest quality bamboo flooring and the most experienced professionals to install it. With our help, you will have a sturdy, versatile, and attractive new bamboo floor in your home or office in no time.

• Ideal for:

  • Contemporary Decors (minimal grain – consistent color)

  • High Traffic Areas

  • Play Areas

• Kid and Pet Friendly? Moderately.

  • More Tips:

    • Use area rugs in children’s rooms and playrooms for cozy comfort

    • Provide soft mats or pet beds where dogs can lie down comfortably.

• Maintenance and Care

• Installation. Can be floated (or glued) over dry, concrete slabs or a plywood base.

• Underlayment Needed? Sometimes

• We are your bamboo flooring experts – our craftsmen have the knowledge and skills necessary to install this stylish product so there will be no resulting problems upon seasonal changes.

• We have the equipment and the experience to handle both expected and the unexpected when it comes to bamboo floor installation– we will handle problems when and if they arise, such as moisture issues, uneven floors, and odd angles.

• We know when an existing floor should be removed and when you can install bamboo flooring over the existing flooring.

• We ensure

  • The subfloor is clean and level and prepared to manufacturers’ specifications.

  • The proper spacing is left between the floor and the wall to adjust for seasonal movement.

• We use:

  • The proper underlayment and moisture barrier.

  • A floating installation (no glue): saves time and installation costs

  • A varied selection of select high grade bamboo flooring to fit your home or business aesthetic.

• Because the bamboo industry is not as regulated as hardwood, we will only sell bamboo that has proven to be best on the market – our standards include:

  • Highest-caliber quality

  • Most durable

  • Has low VOC

  • Has no added chemicals or formaldehyde;

  • Is backed with a good warranty.

Benefits

• Cost Effective. Less expensive than traditional hardwoods (solid and engineered)

  • Provides the look of wood without compromising with manufactured imitation

• Durable: With a hardness equal to oak, can stand up to kids and pets

• Healthy: Allergy resistant; sanitary; resistant to insect infestations.

• Eco-Friendly: Short growth / harvest cycle makes it highly renewable / sustainable

• Refinishing. Surface can be sanded and refinished. The number of times depends on the thickness of planks.

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Drawbacks

• Variety (limited)

• Shows Damage. When bamboo does scratch or dent, the damage is obvious.

• Sensitive to Moisture. Excessive water can cause warping, cracking mold, etc.

• No True Grading System:

  • There is no independent system that is used to rate the quality of bamboo materials.

    • Retailers will often sort lots into grade A and grade B materials – arbitrary system

    • Imperative to work with quality, reputable flooring company, like Floors Etc., to ensure that you are getting top-quality materials

  • Emission of VOCs: The adhesive used during manufacturing (same page hyperlink) can release volatile organic chemicals into the air of an interior space over time. Most bamboo floors have this adhesive in them, although the level of adhesive used, and the amount of VOC’s emitted will vary depending on how the planks are manufactured.

    • Floors Etc. ensures that all products we use have the lowest known VOC emissions.

How It’s Made
Bamboo floor planks are manufactured by slicing or shredding the stalk of the bamboo grass plant and then adhering the pieces back together using heat, pressure, and a resin-based adhesive.

Cork, a mid-century modern design favorite, is enjoying a fashionable rival in today’s eco-conscious setting. Cork trees are not damaged during their harvest, making this a 100% environmentally sustainable product. Cork flooring is attractive and extremely reliable. It’s warm in the winter and cool in the summers. It requires low maintenance and care and is very soft on the feet. Cork’s aesthetic qualities, coupled with its positive environmental impact, makes this flooring material a wonderful choice for homes and office spaces.

“New technology has created engineered cork floors, which have many benefits for some families. A floating floor works best with this new cork and creates a nice pattern.”

—Danny Krienke
Floors Etc. VP

“Cork is also sometimes used as a sound barrier underneath engineered and solid flooring when sound containment is a concern.”

—Sandra Burnett
Floors Etc. President

Pro Tips:

Use area rugs in children’s rooms and playrooms for cozy comfort

Provide soft mats or pet beds where dogs can lie down comfortably.

• Our craftsmen have the knowledge, skills and equipment necessary to install this appealing product so you can enjoy its many benefits for years to come. This includes the proper preparation of subfloor, which is critical.

• We offer a wide variety of Cork colors and designs to suit any interior design aesthetic.

Ideal for:

• Gyms and Play Areas

• Offices and Media Rooms (anti-static)

• Rooms for children and/or the elderly

Kid and Pet Friendly? Moderately.

Maintenance and Care

Installation. Can be floated (or glued) over dry, concrete slabs or a plywood base.

Underlayment Needed? Sometimes

Benefits

• Generally less expensive than Hardwood Flooring

• Warm: natural thermal insulation properties make them pleasantly warm all year round.

• Comfortable: inherent elasticity softens the strain on feet, joints and back

• Quiet: reduces sound transmission to create a more peaceful environment

• Durable: can withstand years of wear and still look great

  • Cork handles every day wear much better than carpet or hardwood

    • NOTE: This does not mean it is indestructible – see Drawbacks.

  • Natural Resistances: insect and fire

• Healthy: mildew and mold resistant, plus it contains natural anti-microbial properties (i.e: repels dirt, dander, and dust mites) thereby creating a healthier, more hygienic, and hypoallergenic environment

• Eco-Friendly: cork trees are not damaged during their harvest, making this a 100% environmentally sustainable product

Drawbacks

• Sensitive to Temperature. reacts to changes in humidity and temperature. Cork is a bit more stable than traditional hardwood as it expands in all directions as opposed to one

• Sensitive to UV Rays. Direct sunlight will cause fading.

• Damage.

  • Scratches, Gouge Marks, Scuffs, etc.: caused by dirt / sand, pet nails, high heels, etc. (hyperlink to maintenance)

  • Dents: heavy furniture may leave indents in your flooring after time. (hyperlink maintenance)

• Absorbs Liquid. Even with proper sealing, liquids can find their way through cracks and leave behind water rings or spots – especially susceptible to damage at the gaps where the planks click-together (re: floating floor installation).

How It’s Made
Cork is harvested from the bark of the Cork Oak tree otherwise known as Quercus Suberus – this is done without causing any damage to the tree, itself. These trees grow along the border of the Mediterranean Sea and can regenerate after every harvest. The first harvest takes place when the tree is approximately 20 years old. Subsequent bark removal occurs every 9 years – up to 15 times per lifetime. These trees can live up to two centuries.