Having babies and pets affects your flooring decisions.
Today’s environmentally friendly flooring materials are giving homeowners and builders the choice to go green.
In Malaysia we have easy access to highly prized timber like merbau, chengal, ramin, meranti and Burmese teak, both locally and from the region.
Sustainable flooring is made from renewable sources and more manufacturers are moving towards producing flooring materials which have minimal to no off-gassing of toxic substances.
These deserve your thumbs up for being both stylish and beneficial for your family’s health and the environment.
When choosing which type of sustainable flooring to suit your home, think about who lives in your home, which room has the most traffic, what areas are used the most and how much time you are willing to spend on cleaning and maintaining your floors.
If you have pets running around or kids with a health condition like asthma, these will also affect your choice.
You can find out more about choosing a design, renovation works and installation details for your floor from Kaodim’s list of flooring specialists and interior designers.
Here are five popular sustainable flooring options and styles:
1. Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that produces new shoots without the need for replanting it, reaching maturity in three to five years.
Bamboo flooring is gaining market recognition as a great alternative to timber floors and is widely available in Malaysia at an affordable price.
It is durable, easy to install, maintenance-friendly, and looks great in your home.
2. Polished concrete
Polished concrete is a rising star in the world of interior design for its modern appeal and versatility. Sustainable concrete floors are manufactured out of recycled materials and are 100% recyclable.
It has a long life cycle and does not emit any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air. Do finish your concrete floor with a low VOC sealer.
Extremely versatile with designs, you can choose a variety of colours, scoring, finishes and stains to customise your concrete floor, and be environmentally friendly as well.
3. Recycled timber
Recycled or reclaimed timber is increasingly becoming the choice material for flooring.
Sourced mostly as leftovers from house renovations and old buildings parts, some of them can be extremely beautiful. Aesthetically, this well-seasoned wood certainly does not lack in rustic charm.
4. Natural linoleum
“Lino” as it is called, is a durable and long-lasting floor covering made from renewable resources that are biodegradable like limestone, linseed oil, cork dust and recycled wood flour.
Perfect for homeowners who want a low maintenance floor, cleaning usually just requires regular sweeping so you can reduce the need for water, power or chemicals.
5. Sustainable carpets and rugs
Here’s a sustainable option for soft flooring fans. If you are keen on carpets and rugs, wool is the most popular sustainable material, but you can choose from other natural alternatives like sisal and jute that also have a low environmental impact.
Source : Free Malaysia Today