Green is the word in modern home decorating, and for good reason. We want to create an environment that is warm, inviting and a place of refuge where we can get away from the stresses of our busy lives. With so many people living with allergies, it makes sense to choose low-emitting products whenever possible. This is also a good strategy if you are considering putting your home on the market in the future, since buyers are specifically looking for properties with this feature. No matter what your motivation for updating your flooring, it makes good sense to consider bamboo, cork and rubber flooring for your home.
What’s Your Style
Before you can start choosing flooring for your home, you need to get an idea of the type of look you want to achieve. If you change one design element, the entire feel of the space is going to change, so it pays to have a plan. The good news is you don’t have to go it alone. Take your time and consult some good interior design books to get some inspiration. Start by going through the books and making note of the types of rooms that catch your eye. What elements do you like about them? You may want to write down general themes in a notebook so that you can work up a wish list for your own room. On it, you would include elements that you must have, and those that are nice to have. If you have decided that you would like to look at flooring that uses recycled materials, for example, you may want to look at a cork conglomerate floor for your room. You will also need to consider your budget when making your list so that you have an idea of what you want before visiting a showroom.
Natural Bamboo – a Durable Choice
Bamboo is a very popular choice for floors because it looks similar to hardwood. It is strong and hardwearing. This flooring option is insect and moisture-resistant.
The manufactured flooring is available in planks with horizontal or vertical grains. They would be locked together in the same way laminate floors are installed.
Since bamboo grows much faster than wood, it is a highly renewable source of material. Some types can grow up to 47 inches in 24 hours. It takes between three and five years for bamboo to reach maturity. Hardwoods reach maturity in 20-120 years.
Warm Up to a Cork Floor
Cork is a beautiful choice that is worth considering as a flooring option. Its textured surface creates interest in the space without adding heaviness. This type of flooring is impact-resistant and will insulate your room against heat and cold.
If you or someone in your home is living with allergies, cork is a great choice. It’s hypoallergenic and will complement any decor very well. Since no two cork planks are exactly alike, your cork floor will have a look all its own.
Rubber Tiles are a Thing of Beauty
Rubber flooring is no longer just for gyms and schools. Consider a modern rubber tile for your home. Some manufacturers are offering options with patterns in the tiles, and this choice will draw the eye down to your floor to create interest in that part of your room. It’s an easy-care choice that is fully recyclable.
These type of floors are very strong and tough. When properly installed and cared for, it should last for 20 years or more. You wouldn’t have to deal with replacing your floor any time soon.
Keeping it clean is a simple matter of mopping it with clean, warm water. This is great news if you’re already stretched to the limit with demands from work, school, and family.
If you want to go green for your next flooring option, you have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you decide to buy a bamboo, cork or rubber floor, you will be able to update your room or your whole house with a look that is both stylish and environmentally friendly. The challenging part is going to be settling on only one pattern from the options available. It’s a nice kind of dilemma to have, though.
### About the Guest Author ###
Sarah Chubb is a freelance writer from England who specializes in covering interior design books for a number of journals and blogs. She takes a keen interest in the way different elements of the home interact with one another. She has written about numerous alternative floor types, such as cork conglomerate floors.
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