Custom Home Eco-Friendly Flooring

As homebuyers become more environmentally conscious, factors like energy efficiency and sustainability are more frequently at the top of a home’s “must-have” list. As one of the most important components of your home, flooring is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some of our favorite choices for eco-friendly flooring for custom homes.

Bamboo

Long-valued for its affordability and durability, bamboo flooring gets you the classed-up feel of hardwoods without the environmental impact. Bamboo only takes several years to grow, versus decades for some premium hardwoods. It’s also affordable, easy to maintain and install, and available in a wide variety of hues.

Cork

We know: it sounds weird. Cork belongs in a wine bottle, not on the floor…right? But cork flooring is actually very trendy nowadays, and – when installed and sealed properly – is not only viable for flooring, but produces a unique look that some homeowners will come to prefer. Cork flooring has some quirks; for instance, it can be easily scratched, and heavily lit areas can discolor it. But it is affordable and renewable, making it a great choice for the right home.

Polished Concrete

In its unpolished form, concrete is extremely utilitarian, which is why it’s the material of choice for sidewalks and outdoor construction. But when polished and sealed, it instantly gains a few levels of class without much increase in price. When used in the right setting, particularly a kitchen or bathroom, polished concrete lends a modern sleekness to a space that can be downright stunning. Its thermal conductivity is also ideal for in-floor heating systems.

Reclaimed Hardwood

New hardwood is not only expensive, but environmentally damaging: when old growth forests are cut down, the effects on climate and wildlife can be catastrophic. If you insist upon the classic hardwood look, you should consider reclaimed or salvaged hardwood. The shabby chic aesthetic goes particularly well for a farmhouse or beach theme.

Linoleum

Linoleum does not have the best reputation given its frequent use in schools, hospitals, and other places that don’t exactly feel like home. But in contrast to its biggest competitor – vinyl – it is made of entirely natural materials. And unlike in the past, modern linoleum comes in a huge variety of patterns and colors, meaning that it can go beyond its utilitarian reputation.

Are you looking for an energy efficient, sustainably built custom home? Let Absolute Construction build for you! We’re Triangle-area builders that use a variety of cutting-edge techniques to build homes that last and help our environment do the same. Contact us today and let’s get started.