Every year, millions of people decide to upgrade their homesteads through various renovation projects. Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional, many homeowners agree that starting with the flooring of their homes is one of the best ways to get started. Because of its rustic aesthetic and promotion of good air quality, many homeowners have taken to the installation of hardwood flooring. In this day and age, where people are more conscious about taking better care of the environment, many have begun to question the impact hardwood flooring makes as opposed to other materials.
Composition
When looking at any sort of material to determine how ecologically friendly it might be, the first thing one has to do is look at the base compounds that it’s made from. Hardwood flooring, as its name certainly suggests, is made entirely out of wood and is biodegradable. Many strains of hardwood can be repurposed and recycled for further use, making it one of the best renewable materials. At the other end of the spectrum are carpeting and vinyl flooring. While these tend to be cheaper than hardwood, they do harm to the environment due to being non-biodegradable and seldom able to be reused. Both of these materials will eventually end up in a landfill.
Production
As much of Europe and the United States learned during the days of the Industrial Revolution, producing goods at high volumes leads to pollution. Vinyl and carpeting are made from man-made materials, which means they leave a larger carbon footprint and require more chemicals and machinery to produce them. Hardwood is a natural product and can be produced with fewer people, leaving less rubbish and refuse behind. Materials that aren’t used in the finished product can be reused for other purposes.
A Long-Term Investment
Some people have opted to use vinyl and carpets because of their low cost, which is always something that consumers typically keep their eyes on. It’s important to think of a hardwood floor as a long-term investment, one that won’t track pollen and allergens like carpet, and also one that’s more environmentally friendly as opposed to vinyl.
Flooring.org
If you’re thinking about a new floor in your house to transform it into a dream home, we’re here to help. As our name suggests, flooring is our specialty, and we can help you get the most out of your upcoming renovation. Shop our flooring selection online or give us a call at 800-689-9006.
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