Eco-Friendly Flooring Solutions: Go Green and Get Beautiful Wood Floors at the Same Time

Hardwood floors have long been the industry standard for elegance and beauty, but with today’s green revolution, many homeowners are considering environmental impact as well as aesthetics and function when it comes to their flooring. If you’re looking to upgrade your floors and want attractive, eco-friendly flooring, wood flooring is still an option! Unlike traditional hardwood floors, cork wood flooring has a limited impact on the environment, making it one of the top choices in green flooring today.
Cork wood flooring is considered ultra green because it’s engineered from the bark of the cork oak tree. The harvesting process does not kill or even harm the tree, unlike with hardwoods, and the bark of the cork oak will regenerate over the next several years. Each cork tree can be harvested around 20 times over the course of its long life (approximately 250-350 years). At each harvest, a tree produces an amazing several hundred pounds of cork. As you can see from these numbers, cork wood is surprisingly sustainable and very gentle on the planet!
In addition to being eco-friendly, cork flooring is attractive, hypoallergenic, and low maintenance. Available as planks or tiles, cork wood flooring has a distinctive look and feel. There are numerous patterns on the market today, including naturally mottled cork flooring, striated planks that mimic hardwoods, and composite tiles that look like wine corks.
Cork wood flooring is also exceptionally springy, relieving foot pain and joint strain. This makes it especially attractive for rooms where you stand for long periods of time, like the kitchen. In fact, cork flooring is the most popular choice for flooring in wine cellars--not only is it beautiful, but its springy nature means bottles are less likely to break when dropped!
For customers looking for beautiful, sustainable wood flooring, we recommend cork wood flooring. You get great looks, low maintenance, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re doing something good for the Earth. Visit your local flooring dealer to learn about installing cork wood floors in your home.

Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leader in online marketing.