Over the course of time we have seen more and more emphasis on climatechange, and rightfully so! Along with this there is also a huge drive on buying products that are both environmentally-friendly, and sustainable. Now, there are many ways in which you can contribute and do your bit for the plant, simply recycling your rubbish correctly or switching things off when they’re no longer in use. But what about physical materials such as your floor?
While wood flooring may seem a somewhat controversial choice on the eco-friendly front, we’re here to tell you that it is just that!
One of the easiest way to know if your wood flooring has been ethically and sustainably sourced, is to search for the FSC Certificate or logo on the flooring. This little badge means that every part and person who was involved in the process of making that floor has adhered to standards, set by the Forest Stewardship Council themselves. This means that whether you’re the farmer, manufacturer, transport agency or even the retailer, you will be working towards guidelines that ensure you treat the environment responsibly. So if you see the FSC logo on your flooring, you can rest assured knowing that you have purchased a true eco-friendly floor.
So, the big question, is wood a renewable resource? Well, yes, it is, if it is managed and harvested in the right way. Due to the fact that trees can be continually reproduced they are officially a sustainable material, and with the progress that has been made so far with farming and forest management, any trees that are used to flooring are replaced straight away. This means that regardless of how many trees are felled for your floor, the same number of trees will remain. Of course this is only the case for responsibly managed forests, unfortunately illegal logging still takes place but the battle against it continues.
A well managed forest can actually benefit the environment, this is because younger trees are able to produce more oxygen than older trees, as they are able to absorb more carbon dioxide in turn.
With a lot of worry focussed on trees being felled for something that is often described as wasteful, the thought of installing wood floors is often met with doubt. However, properly looked after and maintained solid wood flooring can actually last a lifetime. Which means that the need to replace the floor is minimal, compare this to the likes of carpet or even laminate and you can see just how sustainable they actually are.
People often wonder if there are any other alternatives to solid wood, that still offer the aesthetic and authenticity. The answer to that is yes, there is. If you are really concerned about how much wood would be used for a solid floor, why not consider engineered wood? The core of engineered boards is constructed using synthetic/man-made materials, with only the top layer using real wood. So you can achieve the same stunning look as a real wood floor, but with a more versatile and stable core, plus a less guilty conscience from using less materials.
While the FSC continues to work towards the fall of illegal loggers, there is still a long way to go, but it’s all in the right direction. If you’re concerned about the source of your wood floor, or would simply like more information, speak to your retailer and ask them for more details about the product.
