~ Buyer's Guide to Green Flooring Materials ~

This buyer's guide will make comparing green flooring materials easier and more reliable. Use it to find the best green
flooring material for your specific situation.

Material Green Synopsis Selection Pros Cons Recommended

Uses
Bamboo Renewable Look for bamboo * renewable resource * overuse of natural * bedroom
resource. Fast products that have no bamboo forests may be * living room
growing grass formaldehyde added. * extremely durable destroying them * family room
which can be * dining room
selectively * harder than red oak or * Asian sources require * kitchen
harvested annually. maple significant embodied * entry way
energy for transport
Carpet Green carpets and Look for The Carpet * carpet industry is * synthetic fibers are made * formal areas
area rugs are those and Rug Institute's proactively addressing its from petroleum, a non- * bedroom
made from natural Green Label Plus environmental issues renewable resource * stairs
fibers or having certification. Area rugs
high recycled and carpet tiles are * difficult to clean
content of synthetic preferable to
fibers. broadloom (wall-to- * can harbor dirt, dust, and
wall) carpet. mold
Cork Cork is a renewable Look for products that * renewable resource * indoor air quality impacts * kitchen
resource made from have no formaldehyde from sealers used to create a * family room
the bark of the cork added. Avoid cork- * sometimes has recycled durable surface
oak. vinyl composites. content
* European sources result in
* easy to clean if properly higher embodied energy for
sealed transport

* good foot support

Linoleum Same ingredients Look for "natural * renewable ingredients * manufactured in Europe, * kitchen
today as when it linoleum." Vinyl resulting in significant * bathroom
was invented in flooring may be * often has recycled embodied energy for * family room
1863 -- linseed oil, generically called content transport
cork dust, wood "linoleum."
flour, tree resins, * 30-40 year lifespan * odor from linseed oil may
ground limestone, irritate some persons
and pigments all * easy to clean
pressed onto a jute
backing. * good foot support
Rubber Virgin rubber is Almost all rubber, * often has recycled * continual off-gassing has * outdoors
derived from rubber except virgin rubber, content indoor air quality impact * well ventilated
trees, a renewable has a significant odor. indoor space
resource; recycled Use indoors only if * easy to clean
rubber reduces well ventilated.
environmental * good foot support
burden of discarded
tires. * can be installed without
adhesives

* durable (20 year

lifespan)
Stone Natural resource; Look for locally mined * easy to clean * stone is a finite resource * kitchen
durable material. and fabricated stone. * bathroom
Look for stone that * durable * high embodied energy if * entryway
does not necessarily stone is mined or fabricated * fireplace
need to be sealed. overseas

* sealers have potentially

harmful VOC emissions
Tile Durable material, Look for locally * easy to clean * high embodied energy (to * kitchen
often with recycled manufactured tiles fire tiles and produce * bathroom
content. with high recycled * durable cementitious materials) * entryway
content. * fireplace
* often has recycled * prioritize local sources
content because of heaviness
Wood Natural material; Look Forest * renewable resource if * conventional forestry * bedroom
durable. Stewardship Council- from a sustainably causes overharvesting and * living room
certified, salvaged, or managed forest destruction of habitat * family room
reclaimed wood. Ask * dining room
for a Chain-of- * low embodied energy, * naturally occurring * stairs
Custody certification. particularly if harvested formaldehyde
If product is and produced locally
laminated, avoid
product with added
formaldehyde. Look
for sealers and
cleaners that are
environmentally
benign and low VOC
emitting.