Eco-Friendly Flooring

Sustainable Options

The choices we make today will impact the world we live in tomorrow…

Committed to protecting our natural resources, Floors Etc. offers many sustainable or “green” flooring alternatives. While no flooring product has zero impact on our planet, some materials make less of an impact than others in terms of manufacturing and discarding. Our green flooring products are made from sustainable and reclaimed raw materials. Such products include Reclaimed / Antique Hardwood, Bamboo, Cork, and renewable and sustainable Carpet choices. Offering our clients the opportunity to take advantage of our eco-friendly / green materials promotes responsibility to the environment, which will help lead to healthier indoor and outdoor environments.

Why Choose Green?
A Few Benefits of Green | Sustainable Products

Recyclable / Reusable
Financial Benefit | Cost Effective
Waste Reduction
Pollution Reduction
Energy Efficient
Healthier | Safer (e.g.: hypoallergenic; limited use of toxic chemicals)
Will almost always last longer than conventional flooring
Sylish!

Carpet

Wool Carpet naturally sustainable

Mohawk and Shaw – Doing Their Part…

Green Label Plus, a voluntary industry testing program for carpet and adhesive products, establishes the highest standard for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) ever set by the carpet industry. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) created Green Label Plus to ensures customers they are purchasing among the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market. All of Shaw‘s and Mohawk’s residential and commercial carpets meet the Green Label Plus standard. All the eco-friendly carpeting we carry are all suitable for LEED projects.

Working towards a more sustainable industry

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.

Reclaimed Hardwoods | Antique Hardwoods

Naturally sustainable…

See More Reclaimed Hardwoods

Bamboo Flooring

Naturally sustainable…

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.

A Few Great Reasons to Choose Floors Etc. for your Bamboo Flooring Needs

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.

The Essentials

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

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.

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.