Want to make your home green and beautiful at the same time? Well, you’re in luck! Today’s top flooring brands are making it super easy to pick sustainable flooring that helps the planet and looks amazing too. Let’s look at the best eco-friendly flooring brands that will make your home remodel a huge success.
More folks are choosing sustainable flooring now than ever before. Why? Because these floors last longer, keep your family healthy, and help save the Earth. Plus, they can save you money over time! From bamboo that grows super fast to cork that comes from tree bark, sustainable flooring options are pretty cool.
What Makes Flooring Sustainable?
Here’s the thing – sustainable floors are made from stuff that doesn’t hurt nature. They use materials that grow back fast or come from recycled things. Also, these floors don’t put bad chemicals in your air. Pretty awesome, right?
The best green floors check these boxes:
- Made from fast-growing or recycled stuff
- Last a really long time
- Don’t release harmful gases
- Can be recycled when you’re done with them
Shaw Floors – The Green Giant
Shaw is like the superhero of sustainable flooring! They’ve been making eco-friendly floors since the late 1990s. Get this – almost 90% of their products are Cradle to Cradle Certified. That’s a fancy way of saying they’re super green.
Shaw makes lots of different green floors. Their carpet uses recycled plastic bottles. And their hardwood? It’s all waterproof and made to last forever. Plus, all their stuff is GREENGUARD certified, which means it keeps your air clean.
What makes Shaw special:
- Waterproof vinyl that looks like real wood
- Carpet made from recycled bottles
- Low VOC emissions (that means clean air!)
- 30-year warranties on many products
COREtec – The Health-First Choice
COREtec is all about making floors that are safe for kids and pets. Their floors are 100% waterproof and GREENGUARD Gold certified. That’s the highest level of clean air certification you can get!
These folks use eco-friendly materials and care about the planet. Their floors are super tough too – they can handle anything your family throws at them. And guess what? They look exactly like real hardwood!
COREtec’s best features:
- GREENGUARD Gold certification
- 100% waterproof
- Made with sustainable practices
- Pet and kid-friendly
- 30-year warranties
Armstrong – The Old-School Pro
Armstrong has been around for more than 150 years! They really know their stuff. They make bio-based tiles from recycled materials and have recycled over 25 million pounds of old floors in just five years. Can you believe that?
Their eco-friendly tiles don’t release bad chemicals into your home. They’re also super easy to clean and last a really long time. Armstrong is one of the first members of the U.S. Green Building Council too.
Armstrong’s green highlights:
- BioBased tiles from recycled stuff
- FSC certified hardwood
- FloorScore certified for clean air
- Made in America options
- Over 150 years of experience
Mohawk – The Innovation Leader
Mohawk is doing some really cool things with green floors. They make PureTech flooring that’s 100% PVC-free and uses 70% recycled content. Plus, it’s made right here in America!
Their SmartStrand carpet is made from recycled plastic bottles. And their RevWood laminate? It’s formaldehyde-free with super low VOCs. These guys are always coming up with new ways to make floors greener.
Mohawk’s eco wins:
- PureTech PVC-free flooring
- 70% recycled content in some products
- Carbon-negative laminate options
- Made in USA options
- SmartStrand recycled carpet
Pergo – The Sustainability Pioneer
Pergo was the first company ever to get the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for a floor! They’re also the first to get the EU Ecolabel for laminate. That’s pretty impressive, right?
Their floors are made with recovered wood waste that would otherwise go to the dump. They use PEFC certified wood from well-managed forests. And get this – they use green energy for 70% of their production!
Pergo’s green features:
- First Nordic Swan Ecolabel winner
- Made from wood waste
- PEFC certified materials
- M1 and A+ labels for low emissions
- 70% green energy production
Interface – The Carbon Heroes
Interface is super serious about helping the environment. They use recycled materials and have eco-friendly manufacturing. Their goal? To have a positive impact on the planet!
They make modular carpet tiles that are perfect for offices and homes. All their products meet strict environmental standards. Plus, they share info about their environmental impact so you know exactly what you’re buying.
Interface’s green goals:
- Positive environmental impact
- Recycled materials focus
- Life Cycle Assessments shared
- Modular carpet tiles
- Transparent about their claims
Bamboo Flooring Brands That Rock
Bamboo is amazing because it’s actually a grass that grows super fast! Some types can grow three feet in just one day. Here are the best bamboo brands:
Cali Floors makes premium fossilized bamboo that’s extra hard. Their GeoWood hybrid flooring layers real bamboo over a waterproof core. Pretty smart!
Wellmade offers HDPC waterproof bamboo that’s twice as hard as oak. Perfect for kitchens and bathrooms!
EcoTimber focuses on non-toxic bamboo floors with low or no VOCs. Great for folks with allergies!
Cork Flooring Champions
Cork comes from tree bark, so no trees get hurt! The bark grows back every 9-10 years. Here are the top cork brands:
Cali Cork has upgraded colors and a super tough ceramic finish. Plus, it’s naturally water resistant and antimicrobial.
Torlys CorkXP is made from 100% natural materials and has built-in antimicrobial tech. They even have HD-printed wood looks!
Opus Floors makes Naturcork that’s both beautiful and eco-friendly with the latest technology.
Green Building Supply – The Natural Choice
Green Building Supply has been selling eco-friendly floors for 34 years! They focus on natural materials like:
- Cork that’s warm and hypoallergenic
- Natural linoleum that’s bio-based and antimicrobial
- Sustainably harvested hardwood
- Award-winning bamboo with zero VOCs
- Wool carpeting that’s been used for centuries
Luxury Vinyl That’s Actually Green
Yes, vinyl can be green too! Here are brands doing it right:
COREtec’s luxury vinyl uses sustainable practices and GREENGUARD Gold certification.
Armstrong’s eco vinyl is FloorScore certified and made with bio-based materials.
Shaw’s vinyl is Cradle to Cradle certified and focuses on indoor air quality.
Reclaimed Wood Winners
Reclaimed wood is 100% recycled and super trendy! It gives your home character while saving trees. Look for these features:
- FSC certification
- Local sourcing to reduce shipping
- Unique grain patterns and history
- High durability ratings
- Low or no VOC finishes
What to Look For When Shopping
When you’re picking sustainable floors, check for these things:
Certifications to trust:
- GREENGUARD Gold (best for air quality)
- FSC or PEFC (good forest management)
- Cradle to Cradle (circular design)
- FloorScore (low emissions)
- Energy Star (energy efficient)
Smart questions to ask:
- How much recycled content does it have?
- Where are the materials sourced from?
- What’s the warranty length?
- Can it be recycled later?
- Does it release VOCs?
Installation and Care Tips
Green floors often install just like regular floors. Many have click-lock systems that make DIY super easy. For maintenance:
- Use eco-friendly cleaners
- Follow the warranty guidelines
- Refinish when needed instead of replacing
- Keep humidity levels stable
- Use furniture pads to prevent scratches
Cost and Value Facts
Sustainable floors might cost a bit more upfront, but they save money over time because:
- They last longer than cheap floors
- They need less maintenance
- They can increase your home’s value
- They improve indoor air quality
- They often have better warranties
Most eco-friendly floors range from $3-12 per square foot. That’s pretty similar to regular floors, but you get way more benefits!
Future Trends in Green Flooring
The flooring world keeps getting greener! Here’s what’s coming:
- More recycled content in all floor types
- Carbon-neutral and carbon-negative options
- Local sourcing to reduce shipping
- Plant-based alternatives to plastics
- Better recycling programs for old floors
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sustainable floors more expensive than regular floors?
Not really! While some cost a bit more upfront, they last longer and save money over time. Plus, many are priced the same as regular floors.
Do eco-friendly floors work in bathrooms and kitchens?
Yes! Many sustainable options like cork, bamboo, and certain vinyls are waterproof or water-resistant. Just check the specs first.
How long do sustainable floors last?
Most last 20-50 years with proper care. That’s often longer than regular floors! Bamboo and cork can last decades.
Are green floors safe for kids and pets?
Absolutely! Many are specifically designed to be kid and pet-friendly. Look for GREENGUARD Gold certification for the safest options.
Can I install sustainable flooring myself?
Many eco-friendly floors have easy click-lock systems perfect for DIY. Others might need professional installation. Check with your retailer.
Do sustainable floors off-gas like regular floors?
Good ones don’t! Look for low-VOC or zero-VOC options. Certified green floors are much safer for your indoor air.
Which sustainable flooring is best for allergies?
Cork and bamboo are naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. Also look for GREENGUARD certified options that don’t trigger allergies.
Final Thoughts
Choosing sustainable flooring is one of the best things you can do for your home and the planet. With so many amazing eco-friendly brands available, you don’t have to compromise on style or quality to go green.
Whether you pick Shaw’s recycled carpet, COREtec’s clean vinyl, or beautiful bamboo from Cali Floors, you’re making a smart choice. Your family will love the healthy indoor air, and you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping the environment.
Ready to start your green flooring journey? Visit your local flooring retailer and ask to see their sustainable options. You’ll be amazed at how many choices you have!