Seven ideas for eco-friendly flooring

Going green with your flooring isn’t as hard as you might think – we explore the options

Choosing the flooring for your home is an important decision and, if you want to be environmentally friendly, needs careful consideration. Reclaimed wood and tiles are fairly easy to come by and have the added charm of their provenance and history. Every floor tells its own narrative through worn and weathered markings, resulting in a unique patina that won’t be repeated. Or, you could go the sustainable route with new flooring sourced from fast-regenerating trees or plant fibres, then decorate with handmade rugs crafted from reclaimed or recycled materials.

Reclaimed wood

‘Years of seasoning makes reclaimed floorboards much more stable than buying new,’ explains Wayne Coleman, owner of Reclaimed Floorboards UK. ‘They are less likely to shrink or expand and result in a density of colour and grain.’ Pine and oak are the most common reclaimed boards. These slow-growing trees produce a strong, tight grain, made more resilient over time. Parquet and planks tend to be sourced from public buildings that are being demolished or updated, like schools and churches, and carry a unique timeworn patina.

Inspect reclaimed wood or tiles first-hand rather than buy based on a picture you’ve seen online – then you can check the whole pack is as good a quality as the top layer. Hire a recommended tradesperson who knows what they’re doing and can advise on the quantity required. ‘An inexperienced floor fitter might reject a reclaimed board because of its appearance, whereas we work with every board we supply,’ says Emma Sanderson, director of Eco Flooring UK.

Reclaimed tiles

Reclaimed floor tiles have a similar provenance, sourced from France, Spain and in the UK, where they were originally used in grander buildings, like stately homes, churches and cathedrals.

Brick, limestone, terracotta and clay quarry tiles are readily available, as are the patterned geometrics of the Victorian and Edwardian encaustic clay floor tiles. Often these are sourced to repair existing floors, and companies like The Vintage Floor Tile Company can work with a photo to be sure of a match. They also provide a restoration service. ‘We clean up the reclaimed tiles and can make a floor look as though it’s always been there,’ says director Fiona Triplow. ‘We can also customise a pattern based on floor pictures the customer likes.’

New and sustainable flooring

If you prefer to be green and new, bamboo flooring should be on your list because it’s fast-growing and can be harvested within three to five years. Look out for companies like Simply Bamboo, who sources materials from strictly monitored forests.

Cork is another great eco choice because it comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, so the tree doesn’t need to be cut down. The bark can be harvested every nine years or so and each time the tree absorbs more carbon dioxide than usual to help regenerate. Naturally resistant to mold and mildew, cork is also invitingly warm and cushioning underfoot. Check out the range at The Cork Floor Co – they even have digitally printed cork tiles with a realistic wood texture.

If carpet is more your thing, then you might want to consider 100 per cent biodegradable sisal, seagrass, coir and jute from sustainable farms where plant fibres are made into coarse yarns – jute is ready to harvest within four to six months. Check out the range at Sisal & Seagrass, who sells such carpets and rugs, and also a chemical-free wool carpet range. There’s the option to make your own sustainable rug using their online rug creator too.

Recycled flooring

Eco Friendly Tiles produces tiles with up to 40 per cent recycled content, fired in solar-powered ovens, with a collection of colours, finishes and sizes to rival their competitors.

Then there are rugs that make use of materials destined for landfill. From contemporary geometric designs to Persian-inspired patterns, Weaver Green makes beautiful rugs from rescued ocean plastics spun into a soft wool-like fibre.

Second Nature Online offers brightly coloured rag-rugs woven in India using fabric offcuts, including a more muted denim option. For something a little more unique, Elvis & Kresse rescues high-quality leather offcuts and handcrafts stylish rugs in two colours and three sizes with the option to buy bespoke.

WORDS: JANE CRITTENDEN