1. Natural linoleum or Marmoleum — These products are made from natural organic products such as linseed oil, cork dust fibres, rosins with a jute backing. Tough and durable, a green alternative to vinyl.

Materials neto:

Natural raw materialsMarmoleum is a natural floor made from 97% natural raw materials, 70% of which are rapidly renewable, along with a 43% recycled content. The key raw materials used in its production include linseed oil, which comes from the flax plant seeds, wood flour from controlled forests and jute, the natural backing onto which the linoleum is calendared. 

Natural habitatWhat makes Marmoleum special is that it is created entirely from raw materials obtained from their natural habitat right where they grow and renew, often in just 12 months time. Jute and flax are annual crops that can be harvested just like wheat or corn. Extracting rosin is a continuous process, while wood flour, a waste material from the timber industry, is derived from European production forests. Limestone is available in abundance. 

BiodegradeAll this makes Marmoleum a natural floor that, after a long 30-plus year life cycle, can start all over again. Marmoleum can be scrapped, since it’s biodegrade. Alternatively, burning Marmoleum delivers a higher caloric value and creates thermal energy that outweighs the energy used during production. This demonstrates the full life cycle circle from which nature benefits. > Read more about Forbo & the environment

Linseed oil Rosin Limestone

Wood flour Pigments Jute

2. BAMBOO FLOORING

Bamboo flooring is another wood like option that is gaining in popularity.  It is actually a grass that shares similar characteristics as hardwood.  It is durable, easy to maintain

and is easy to install.  Bamboo is sustainable and made from natural vegetation that grows to maturity in three to five years, far less than the twenty years trees can take. Bamboo, while usually very light, is available in many hues that will work in any setting or decor.  Its varied grains and wide array of colors give it an edge over traditional flooring by allowing for customization not often found elsewhere.

3. CORK FLOORING

Cork is relatively new to the flooring world. It is usually seen on walls or in your favorite bottle of wine, but it is great material for floors.  Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree commonly found in the forests of the Mediterranean. The trees are not cut down to harvest the bark, which will grow back every three years, making it an ideal renewable source.  It has anti-microbial properties that reduce allergens in the home, is fire retardant, easy to maintain and acts as a natural insect repellent too. Cork, like wood can be finished in a variety of paints and stains to suit any color scheme or design style.  Its durability allows for uses in any part of the house.   Cork floors, depending on the quality, can last between 10-30 years.

Benefits of cork flooring in sustainable building:

Thermal Insulation – cork historically was used in refrigeration applications, such

as in the walls of freezers

Impermeability – Since the inter-connected pockets of air are truly so tiny and

microscopic, cork is considered impermeable yet breathable – which is why it’s

desirable for corking wine.

Give – the pockets of air compress and then expand again, never collapsing within

the product core, giving the cork resilience and memory. It has excelled for use as

flooring due to the softness under foot, as it is often recommended for people with

back pain who stand on a floor for an extended amount of time.

Design Flexibility – the beauty of cork is that it can be cut in numerous ways that

enable veneers with different aesthetics to create highly decorative surfaces. Cork

conglomerate, a recycled cork material,  is also readily available.  Cork

conglomerate is often used in conjunction with veneers.

Buoyancy – Cork floats, and has been used as buoys, floating decoys, and as

runners for pontoons and other water craft.

Slip resistance – cork, due to the softness and bounce-back, is very slip resistant,

and has been used extensively on the deck of naval ships.1

Beauty – cork offers a natural beauty and organic feel to homes.  It pairs well

withbamboo to create style in  a sustainable building plan.

4. Glass Tiles Ever wonder what happens to the wine bottles and beer bottles that are shipped to the recycler?  They are converted into beautiful glass tiles. This renewable source is fast becoming a wonderful option for floors as well as bathroom and kitchen walls.  Glass has similar benefits of other eco-friendly materials. It is non-absorptive and won’t mildew or mold in damp environments.   It is easy to maintain and won’t stain.  Glass comes in a limitless array of colors, patterns and finishes suitable for most design schemes.  Unlike ceramic tiles, glass will reflect light rather than absorb it, adding that additional layer of light some rooms need.

5. ConcretePolished concrete is an unlikely sustainable material that is gaining in popularity. Concrete is typically slab on grade and used as a sub flooring in some residential settings.  If it is polished and tinted to the homeowners taste and style there is no need for traditional flooring to be put over it.  From creating a tiled effect with different colors to inlaying other materials such as glass the design possibilities are endless. Concrete is extremely durable, easy to clean and never needs to be replaced.

6. Wool CarpetCarpet has long been a favorite go-to material for most homes. It is soft to walk on, comfortable to sit on and comes in a range of colors and patterns.  Unfortunately, carpet has typically been made using volatile organic compounds or toxins that are harmful to the environment and to our health.  There are eco-friendly options though.  Consider carpets made of wool.  Wool is a natural resource spun into a thread that can be dyed any color imaginable, and then be woven to create a carpet.  It is one of the first materials to be used as a floor covering, is very durable and can last centuries. In some families wool rugs have been passed down from generation to generation making them family heirlooms.   Other natural materials used to make carpets or rugs are sisal, jute and cotton.

7. P.E.T Berber CarpetPolyester (P.E.T) Berber is another sustainable carpet to consider. It is made of recycled plastic bottles,  and has a minimal impact to the environment. For every plastic bottle that is used to create this carpet it is one less sitting in our landfills.  There are several benefits  to this recycled material. It is durable, spill resistant and comes in a variety of aesthetically pleasing colors and patterns. It typically has a flecked appearance making it suitable to most color schemes.   There are drawbacks too. Berber can be easily snagged causing it to unravel if not repaired promptly.  The recycled material can be a little rough to walk on in your bare feet.   Overall, it’s a very economical material and deserves a serious look.

8. LINOLEUM FLOORING

When one thinks of linoleum flooring, vinyl tends to come to mind and yet the two are nowhere close to each other.  Vinyl is a synthetic made of chlorinated petrochemicals that are harmful.  Linoleum is created from a concoction of linseed oil, cork dust, tree resins, wood flour, pigments and ground limestone.   Like cork, it is fire retardant and water resistant.  Linoleum is not new to the market; it fell out of favor with the introduction of vinyl in the 1940’s. As architects and designers began asking for it again, it reemerged with a vast array of bright vibrant colors and a new sealer to protect it from stains.  It has a long shelf life and will hold up to a lot of wear and tear.

9. RUBBER FLOORING

Rubber flooring is made from a rubber tree, a 100% renewable resource. It is easy to install and maintain, is anti-static and provides effective sound insulation and vibration reduction. Rubber flooring is also resistant to fading and cigarette burns. Some rubber flooring is made from synthetic rubber, this is not a sustainable product

10. LeatherLeather is a surprising material that can be used as flooring.  It is derived from the center-most part of the cowhide and is thicker than the leather pieces used for such things as belts, wallets and handbags.  The soft warm feel under foot makes it perfect for bedrooms, closets and small areas with little foot traffic.  It is not a great material for bathrooms, kitchens or other moist areas of a home.  It is very durable and will wear well over time. Worn, scratched and aged leather develops a personality of its own and can be beautiful to look at for years to come.

11. NATURAL & RECYCLED CARPET

There are carpets that are sustainable, using natural fibers such as cotton, sisal, wool, jute and coconut husk. Handmade Citapore rugs include a wide range of sustainable flooring material as these rugs are generally made from cotton (both virgin and recycled), jute, rayon and cotton chennile. It is also possible to have carpet made completely from recycled polyethylene terephthalate used for food/drink containers. Recycled nylon is also a common material used and the process takes carpet made with nylon 6 fibers and recycles it into brand new nylon carpet. This process can be repeated numerous times and in 2009 alone, Shaw's Evergreen facility recycled over 100 million pounds of carpet.[21] This is sustainable and it reduces material sent to landfill; further it uses dyeing methods that are less polluting and require less energy than other flooring. This flooring is sustainable when used alongside eco-friendly adhesive, as some products may have toxic finishes added (stain/fireproofing) that are not considered sustainable

12. COCO TIMBER

Coconut timber is a hardwood substitute from coconut palm trees. Coconut palm wood flooring is cheaper than teak, with the wood hardness comparable to mahogany. Coconut palm wood is made from matured (60 to 80 years old) coconut palm trees that no longer bear fruits.

13. Steel joist floor systems

Steel’s greater strength also offers other sustainability advantages over wood. Its ability to achieve greater spans and greater spacings results in less material used, and less material transported to the construction site. As steel floor systems can be shallower than those of wood, building heights can be concomitantly reduced, resulting in a diminished overall building envelope. That decreased overall surface area translates to lower material costs and lower eventual energy use for heating or cooling.

14. composite floor construction*Composite construction is a generic term to describe any building construction involving multiple dissimilar materials. 

Composite construction is a generic term to describe any building construction involving multiple dissimilar materials. 

-Speed of construction..-resource efficiency..reducing concrete-off-site manufacture-recyclable

15. Hardwood — Although salvaged or reclaimed wood may be the greenest choice, wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to be responsibly harvested from a well-managed forest is the next best thing. It's durable, can be sourced locally and has a natural and timeless appeal.

16. Carpet tiles — They offer the acoustic benefits of carpet with flexibility of tile. Uses recycled and/or renewable materials with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) properties. Look for Green Label Plus certification.

17. Mineral Fiber CeilingsMineral fiber ceilings are Class A fire-rated, compatible with standard Armstrong suspension systems and perimeter trim, available in a broad range of textures, sizes, and colors, and are recyclable at the end of their useful life. Some families are certified

by the USDA BioPreferredSM Products Program.

Mineral fiber panels and tiles are available for every budget and provide the best combination of sound absorption (NRC) and sound blocking (CAC) available to optimize acoustics. Learn how to improve occupant comfort by applying Sound Design on your next project.

Metal: Metal takes a long, intensive process to mine, mill, and fabricate. A lot of energy is expended into making metal products. However, a recycled metal paneling system is a great use of the material. A lot of energy goes into recycling metal too, but not as much as generating a new product from raw materials.

Wood : While wood is renewable, it is not always a sustainable option. Locally and sustainably harvested products offer an eco-friendly alternative to more rare and imported woods. Bamboo is also a rapidly renewing resource, but is often harvested and then shipped long distances.