Let's get back to basics - natural products found on Earth
Hardwood (most popular)
Solid hardwood is just what you would expect. Solid hardwood is sourced from trees in the forest and are a solid piece/length from a single tree. Engineered hardwood is different, but still wood (solid hardwood top w/ plywood or similar substrate and resin to secure the layers). Therefore, solid hardwood is one of the most sustainable choices you can make in flooring. Solid has less processing compared to Engineered and when it is discarded at end of life, it is also a natural product. (Note: All popular flooring products have a small amount of man-made additives, adhesives, or inks used at the least, but for some flooring products the amount of man-made addition can be quite insignificant). Solid hardwood or high-quality Engineered hardwood is also eco-friendly in that it can last in your home or business for a very long time. Some hardwood floors have lasted up to 100 years, where properly maintained and cared for well. This means, hardwood lasts much longer than most flooring options, and therefore results in less waste and less expense in the long run. From the forest to your floor, hardwood, especially solid, is a great environmental choice.
Cork plank
Cork is a natural flooring option, sourced, again, from a tree. Yes, the cork that keeps your wine in the bottle, and also used in so many applications, is the bark of a tree. Cork Oak trees are most prominantly found in Mediterranean countries: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France, and Italy. While the cork can be harvested from already fallen trees (of course), cork is notably harvested from the bark of living trees through a stripping process unique to these trees. That's right, cork, which is a resilient and impermeable product, comes from a tree which can withstand harvesting of its outer bark and continues to live and re-grow that bark. Cork is warmer underfoot that many types of flooring, and as mentioned, is naturally impermeable, but in addition, the Wicanders Amorim Wise Inspire 700 line we sell, also has an HRT Non-pvc protective top layer to make it even more water-resistant. These two properties make Cork a green light into one room of the home where hardwood is prohibited: bathrooms! Cork has sound-absorbing properties and physiological benefits in its slightly softer density compared to hard-surface flooring options, making it easier and more comfortable on the human body over time. One caution with selecting Cork is larger dog's nails over time or other animals nails over time.
Wool Carpet
Wool carpet is a natural fiber, taken from the wool of living sheep (kind of like Cork from their trees). Harvested from multiple countries around the world, wool carpet is also manufactured in a number of countries, because it is a ubiquitous fiber. That said, in America, wool is not as prevalent as it used to be, but is still available. Wool can be a good selection if you like the idea of a natural fiber or have sensitivities to man-made products (because the great majority of carpets come from man-made fibers). For those without sensitivities to man-made products, humans do very well with man-made products from Day 1 of installation. But you may be interested in natural products for environmental reasons, or because of sustainability, and wool carpet definitely checks both of those boxes. So, if hardwood is too hard, and Cork is still too hard, Wool carpet may just be the right fit. Wool may or may not be more expensive than man-made fiber carpets (depending on the style - some are, some are not). Wool likely will take more care than man-made fibers, as wool might shed a little here and there, and when the carpet is cleaned, it should only be cleaned by a carpet cleaning professional skilled in cleaning wool carpets. It is worth the time and money to hire someone with specific experience in this. If you like wearing wool, you will likely also enjoy the texture of wool on your floors. Another option, if you already have hardwood floors, is to accent with a soft wool carpet rug or runner.
Whether your aim is a very long-lasting solid hardwood or luxury engineered hardwood, or a comfortable substitute for hard-surface like Cork for your bathroom or living room, or if you are seeking a soft carpet for your bedroom or main living areas, all can be achieved in an eco-friendly product. Have another question we didn't cover here? Send us an inquiry on the contact form link below!
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