Some kitchen floor coverings are more wear-resistant than others and can stand up to heavy traffic. Installing a durable product means it will last longer before you have to replace it, which reduces resource waste. Flooring should also meet the low-emissions standards for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances, to minimize impact on human health.

Our recommendations :

1. Wooden floors from certified forests are one of the most environmentally friendly renovation products, as 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. Linoleum flooring is a good choice from an ecological point of view, because it is recyclable, biodegradable and produced using renewable resources (jute, flax 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.
4. 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.
5. Cork is made from the bark of cork-oak trees and is harvested every 9 to 11 years. The floor covering is made from by-products of the production of cork stoppers. For a healthier, more environmentally friendly choice, make sure the cork and the backing materials are made using a low-VOC adhesive.
6. 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 is 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.
7. 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.
8. Conventional carpets contain polypropylene, which is produced using a non-renewable resource – petroleum. The production of polypropylene also generates significant amounts of greenhouse gases. And finally, this petrochemical product is rarely recycled at end of life. There are other types of carpet made of natural materials such as wool, cotton, hemp and jute, but each of these also has an impact on the environment. Some carpets are made with recycled plastic bottles or other recyclable materials, such as nylon, which can be recycled if the facilities exist. No matter what they’re made of, all carpets retain dust, pollutants and dust mites. Your best bet is to choose rugs or carpets that can be taken out to be cleaned.
9. Vinyl floor coverings are made of PVC resin (polyvinyl chloride), plasticizers and polyurethane. Vinyl does not have many worthwhile ecological attributes, because it contributes to the emission of volatile organic compounds and other toxic pollutants in the environment during production, use, burial and when exposed to fire. The precautionary principle suggests that we should reduce vinyl use to limit its impact on human health.

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