Flooring choices for environmentally conscious homeowners were once very limited. Today, however, the sky is the limit, or rather, the imagination is. Just about any type of green flooring conceivable, from bamboo to rubber to concrete, is readily available. A home can be a modern showcase of flooring that neither harms Mother Earth nor costs an arm and a leg.
But is concrete actually an indoor flooring option? Oddly enough, yes, concrete is becoming a very appealing choice because of its range of colors and the ability to customize, by stamping patterns into it or even using a circular saw. Color is not a limitation, as paints, stains, and dyes can create a whole spectrum of desired shades and hues for any given room in the house. But the major selling point is its durability. Even the relentless traffic of kids, pets and visitors can’t wear down a concrete floor.
If concrete is too bold an option, bamboo or even cork flooring are wonderful alternatives. They are not easily shredded and are far more resilient that people realize. For instance, bamboo is actually used as an alternative to hardwood and according to flooring experts, it is actually studier than hardwood. It appeals to homeowners who want their flooring to be both biodegradable and recyclable. Plus, bamboo has a renewal story that cheers that hearts of most green conscious people. It is rapidly renewable in its natural environment and, although light colored, it may be dyed or stained. Its ease of installation makes it a big hit with the DIY crowd.
Cork flooring, meanwhile, has an enviable reputation for being biodegradable, renewable and recyclable, also coming in a huge range of colors and sizes. No matter what the project, there is a suitable cork option. Installation is a snap and the finished product is appealing for several reasons: it acts as a natural thermal insulator, reducing heating costs, and is a comfortable surface to stand on.
Believe it or not, anyone can use eco-conscious tiles to create a floor of their choice. For instance, a creative renovator can lay cork and bamboo in a variety of ways. Experimentation is one of the best motivators for a unique floor design, so try using tiles creatively, mixing and matching, using thin and thick to contrast and using various colors.
This is not to say it is impossible to go wildly overboard with tile choices, but trying different approaches can make rooms come alive. Drawing out a pattern before actually laying the tiles can help avoid regrets once everything is glued in place. A tasteful, creative approach can make eco-conscious flooring into a beautiful part of the home.
The post For the Eco-Conscious Flooring Choices Are Eminently Exciting first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>Green grass? Who would want green grass on their floor? Green grass is more commonly referred to say bamboo, and it is durable, tough and looks awesome. It offers each room it graces a whole new look and feel, not to mention the fact that it is super easy to take care of and clean. What could be better than an environmentally friendly flooring that is tough as they come, easy to clean and looks stunning?
Actually, bamboo may even be considered to be the new hardwood that was once so popular. They have not gone out of style yet, but because they represent a large tree kill, many younger, green conscious families, are opting for an alternative like bamboo. Most of the world’s bamboo flooring comes from Asia. Flooring contractors and companies are noticing the shift in attitude as well. People are trending more to what is best for Mother Earth when it comes to choosing new flooring or upgrading the old stuff.
Green grass, or bamboo floors are attractive and versatile, often being used in and outside. As well, they have an interesting story to tell before they become a part of your home. Before being turned into hard boards, the bamboo fibers are first sorted out and rinsed down to take out any debris in them, including sugar content. From there, the fibers are turned into hard board and sold in a variety of colors.
You can choose from solid bamboo, engineered bamboo, strand woven bamboo, and teragren bamboo. While that may sound confusing, it’s not. The solid bamboo is completely made of bamboo, does not expand and contract as much as hardwood, but looks like it, comes in stained flooring, horizontal or vertical strand flooring and all-natural or carbonized versions.
Engineered bamboo looks very much like engineered hardwood, featuring many layers of bamboo, banded for strength and glued to a base. It’s convenient to install and great for dry or humid climates.
Strand woven bamboo is created when the strands are cut, boiled, and laid out to dry. They are then hard-pressed to flatten them, preparatory to cutting them into various sized planks, which are stitched together and ultimately glued. Many homeowners like the green and eye appeal of this style of flooring.
Teragren bamboo is really amazing. The stalks are sliced into small slats, laminated with an adhesive and subjected to hydraulic pressure. They are ideal for interior design projects.
Even though bamboo has been around for years, it is just now starting to come into its own as a flooring alternative that helps keep Earth a greener place to live. It also helps that is an affordable flooring alternative as well.
The post You just might take a shine to green grass flooring first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>