Some floor coverings are more wear and moisture resistant than others, which can be important if they are exposed to heavy traffic. Installing a durable product will help you steer clear of premature replacement, reducing resource use and waste production. Flooring should meet the low emissions standards for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances, in order to reduce the impact on your health.

Our recommendations :

1. Wooden floors from certified forests are one of the most environmentally friendly renovation products since they promote sustainable forestry and preserve ecosystems.
2. Natural stone floors, such as marble, granite, and slate, are healthy choices that respect the environment, especially if they are mined and shaped in the region where they are installed, reducing the impacts of transportation and greenhouse gases.
3. Ceramic tiles made with recycled materials are another good option: sturdy, water and stain resistant, and easy to maintain. Try to choose a tile with a non-slip surface. Ceramic tiles are made with baked clay, but some tiles also contain recycled materials such as glass, which reduces the impact on resources and decreases waste production.
4. Floor coverings made of engineered wood and parquetry, like those made of solid wood, can be made with wood from certified forests, an important distinction for ecosystem preservation. These products also contain binders or adhesives, which is why it’s important to look for products with low volatile organic compound emissions. Wondering about the difference between stratified flooring and engineered wood? The thin decorative coating on stratified flooring is usually made of melamine and sometimes a thin layer of wood. These floors cannot be sanded or revarnished, which reduces their lifespan. The decorative layer of engineered wood, on the other hand, is made of solid wood. It can be sanded and re-varnished several times, which makes it far more durable than stratified flooring, and that means fewer wasted resources.
5. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable plant (it matures in less than 10 years), but in some countries intensive cultivation may lead to deforestation. It’s important to ensure that the product you choose comes from an FSC certified source. Bamboo boards are manufactured using binders, so make sure you select a low-VOC product.
6. Linoleum flooring is a good choice from an ecological point of view, because it is recyclable, biodegradable and produced using renewable resources (jute, linseed oil and wood or cork dust). Linoleum is modular, available in a wide variety of colours, and easy to install. Besides being strong and waterproof, linoleum also has bactericidal and hypoallergenic properties.

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