How to Get Eco-Friendly Floors and Walls

Walls and floors. They’re the basic building blocks of your home—and also some of the easiest parts of the house to make green. A recent boom in renewable, non-toxic materials means that you have lots of options if you want to tread lightly. Here are some ideas to get you started.

FLOORS
Bamboo: Because this woody grass grows so quickly, bamboo can be harvested year after year from the same plant, making it one of the most renewable—and beautiful—eco-flooring options on the market. $6 to $8/square foot; teragren.com.

Marmoleum: Made from linseed oil, natural rosins, wood flour, and cork, this trademarked flooring is renewable and the ingredients are sustainably harvested. The result is a refined take on traditional linoleum. Starts at $4/square foot; www.forbolinoleumna.com.

Recycled Metal Tiles: Made from recycled aluminum or brass, these tiles make for a safe, earth-friendly kitchen or bathroom alternative to vinyl tiles. The look: modern and urban. Available in polished, matte, or sandblasted. $35 to $70/square foot; www.ecofriendlyflooring.com.

PAINTS
AFM SafeCoat: This paint brand offers everything you need to brighten your walls—paint, primer, sealer—without any of the nasty chemicals found in traditional paint products. SafeCoat products are free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as well as solvents, heavy metals, chemical residues, and formaldehyde. $32 to $42/gallon; www.afmsafecoat.com.

Milk Paint: Made from milk protein and lime, this paint is based on a centuries-old formula. It contains no VOCs, plastics, or petroleum products and has a distinctive flat finish. $45.95/gallon (packaged as powder; just add water); www.milkpaint.com.

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By O'rya Hyde-Keller, Natural Solutions magazine

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Danuta W.

3:10AM PST on Feb 9, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Kainen U.

4:55AM PDT on May 31, 2011

With global warming rising to a alarming level and the Go Green campaign gaining popularity. Eco Friendly Flooring options are now available to make your own contribution towards maintain the balance of nature. Cork is the bark of the oak tree and is pressed to form floor tiles. These are biodegradable and also is a good source of insulation and sound proofing. The cork does not need carpets and is much easier to clean than hardwood floors.

Laura M.

9:32PM PDT on Mar 14, 2011

I will remember this when I'm designing my house!

Aaditi L.

10:37PM PST on Nov 12, 2010

That gorgeous hardwood look can also be recreated with bamboo flooring. This sturdy grass has exploded in popularity as an alternative to harvesting trees due to its rapid renewal rate. Bamboo is considered a highly sustainable resource since it can regrow in only three years (and doesn’t need to be replanted), whereas a tree will take from 10 to 60 years to grow again.
www.greenliving9.com/eco-friendly-flooring.html

Amber L.

7:08PM PDT on Sep 24, 2010

Anyone that is wanting to try Milk Paint at an affordable price, I recommend looking at www.mistermilkpaint.com . I think you can email them for a discounted bulk rate.

Deb L.

6:44AM PDT on Jul 23, 2010

great ideas...

Shin T.

1:50AM PDT on Jul 23, 2010

Paint can make from milk? I didn't know that.Good idea, will try soon for my home.Thanks

Tonya C.

6:14PM PST on Feb 2, 2010

Great selection of eco-friendly products.
There are a lot of flooring products in the market place such as rubber flooring that is made of recycled materials and that is recyclable itself. Also, whichever floor system we choose, aesthetics are important but practicality and safety are a must. For example, choose a flooring solution that has low volatile compounds and other harsh chemicals and one which does not require harsh chemicals for cleaning.