The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Hardwood Flooring

Wood is an excellent choice for premium and sustainable flooring material. Aside from the traditional, aesthetic, and timeless beauty it provides, "wood for flooring" is the perfect testament to man's responsibility to the environment.

This is an act of environmental awareness because sourcing materials from natural sources only demonstrates man's harmony with Nature. Choosing wood floor Installations necessitates a skillful procedure. It is critical to understand which types of wood are appropriate for which types of floors. New and innovative installation techniques have emerged over the years to ensure the longevity and sustainability of flooring.

When we say sustainable, we mean that when trees are felled for their wood, several others are planted to ensure that the environmental balance is maintained and that there is a continuous supply of wood. Let's go over the advantages that wood has over other flooring materials:

Wooden flooring is eco-friendly

1. Wood is a naturally renewable resource

Wood is a hygienic renewable bio-energy source that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wood becomes a renewable resource when forests replenish faster than they are harvested.

There are two types of sustainable flooring products based on the type of wood used -

• Renewable flooring material and
• Rapidly renewable flooring material

This depends on how quickly you can replenish the wood once it has been harvested. Some take only a decade, while others can take up to a half-century. Wood is harvested naturally, and modern forest management practices are being implemented to help conserve precious resources. As a result, wood has become the most popular choice for environmentally conscious customers.

2. Wood has a small carbon footprint

Wood is a carbon-neutral product, but its carbon footprint is even smaller when it is sourced locally. However, if you have to transport wood over long distances, it will leave a more significant impression. Locally sourced timber would be the best resource.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and emit oxygen as they grow. They also store carbon in their leaves, twigs, stems, roots, and surrounding soil. Wood will continue to keep this carbon; as they age, trees decay and release small amounts of stored carbon.

When the trees are harvested and produced, they will continue to store carbon, keeping the vast majority of it out of the environment. After several years of being used for building projects, the wood will be reclaimed and reused or recycled.

3. Wood degrades quickly

The phrase 'biodegradable' is closely associated with environmentally friendly products. When a product's life cycle is complete, it is referred to as such. An essential factor is whether the product will emit harmful chemicals into the environment as it decomposes. The good news is that an organic material like wood can be returned to the environment without harming it.

People have turned to biodegradable products while building homes to follow an eco-friendly movement and leave a smaller ecological footprint by using wood products for flooring and other construction requirements. As a result, using wood is another way to protect Nature and save it for the future.

4. Wood saves a lot of energy

When a building is built with environmentally sustainable materials, it is also energy efficient. This results in long-term cost savings during and after construction. Wood flooring for homes is an energy-efficient option, especially in tropical climates with high humidity. Because wood is a poor heat conductor, it does not transfer outside heat into the rooms, keeping them more relaxed during the day, especially in the summer.

Wood production and processing using very little energy. Each cubic meter of wood you use significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Wood is environmentally beneficial even after it has reached the end of its useful life because it can be reused or recycled. Some people even use wood as a carbon-neutral biomass energy source instead of fossil fuels.

5. Wood has a long lifespan

Wood is long-lasting, easy to clean, and does not absorb odors. Wood is also an excellent choice for people who suffer from allergies. When properly cared for, it can last hundreds of years. Of course, the correct type of floor finish can improve the durability of wood. Because solid wood flooring is natural timber, it is simple to install and feels good underfoot, making it a popular choice in homes.

Read More - Tips for Unfinished Wood Floor Maintenance

6. Wood is easily recyclable

Another advantage of wood is that it is easily recyclable. So, if you want to get rid of an old wooden floor, consider the following options:

• You can sell them to salvage yards, who will pay you for them.
• The wood can create stylish storage cabinets, bookshelves, footrests, and shoe racks.
• You can even use it as a bar top, tree house, or to fashion small curios.
• If the wood on your floor cannot be salvaged, it is best to discard it, especially if it is infested with mold and fungus.

Summary

Wooden floors are elegant and rich and provide an old-fashioned sense of warmth. Nonetheless, they are timeless. Furthermore, wood is a neutral material, which means you can experiment with any color scheme for your home, and it will still look magnificent and aesthetic. Wood floor is the best choice because it encourages you to go the environmentally friendly route, allowing you to help the environment and save it for future generations.

Many older homes with carpets in their living rooms are now switching to solid wood flooring because it is warmer, easier to clean, and less expensive. Furthermore, compared to other flooring materials, wooden flooring can increase the market value of your home.