Wood is a renewable resource, but that doesn’t automatically mean that your wood floors are eco-friendly. To find out if your wood floors are actually earth-friendly, you need to do some hardwood floor research.
Wood Floors 101: Hardwood Floor Research
For a wood product to be environmentally friendly, it needs to be harvested from sustainably managed forests. This means that the forest is replanted and also that it is not harvested in a way that contributes to dangerous levels of habitat loss. Eco-friendly forestry also does not put endangered animal species at risk.
Locally Sourced
Another aspect of eco-friendly wood floors is determining whether or not the species is local to your area. Sourcing a local species requires less transportation, which means less fuel is used to get the tree from the forest to your floor. These are some of the things that are covered in our Wood Floors 101 Course.
Types of Wood
Another aspect of eco-friendly floors is the type of wood that is harvested. Some trees are endangered or at risk. It is best to avoid these tree species when purchasing wood floors. This is also information covered in an education session, such as Wood Floors 101.
Repurposing Wood
For a wood product to be environmentally friendly, it needs to be harvested from sustainably managed forests.
For the most eco-friendly floors, consider using repurposed wood or consider using a material, such as bamboo, that is quick to grow and easily harvested. Searching out these floor types should be a part of your hardwood floor research.
Many wood types are available in different stain colors that will give the look of hard-to-find floors while being made with a sustainable wood type. This is a good balance between sourcing eco-friendly flooring and getting the look you want.
Often, a floor that has been made from eco-friendly or sustainable sources will have a label on the packaging that indicates its planet-friendly nature.
For all your wood flooring needs, contact T&G Flooring today.