Flooring

Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is considered an eco-flooring option as it can be harvested every 5-6 years, regrows directly from the roots (making re-planting unnecessary) and requires minimal to no fertilization or pesticides. Bamboo flooring comes in a variety of colours and grains and is quite durable (as much as most other 'hard' woods).

However there are reports that forests are being cut down to make way for bamboo plantations and there is currently no FSC equivalent for bamboo flooring. Nor is there currently any fair trade certification for bamboo.

To read more and get information on companies that are working in a sustainable way, check out

Possible concerns:
 * The bamboo is treated with preservative, either before it is laminated, after, or both. Several manufacturers report using the relatively nontoxic boric acid as a preservative; others didn't say.


 * All flooring is then laminated and some manufacturers use urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesive in this process which can off-gas.


 * Lower quality flooring can include the following: Poorly-handled or immature raw material, low-quality locally-made adhesives, and irregular milling

Ottawa-area retailers of bamboo flooring include:
 * The Healthiest Home

Non-local Suppliers

Cork
Cork flooring is considered an eco-flooring option as it can be harvested every nine years and the process doesn't damage the tree. Some cork flooring is made exclusively from waste recovered from wine-cork manufacturing

Cork is provides a warm, comfortable surface to stand on and is water resistant.

Cork is available in two different formats: glue down tile (approx. 1 sq/ft), or floating floor planks (3 ft x 1 ft) and can be purchased finished or unfinished.

Possible concerns: Some cork flooring can contain formaldehyde laden MDF

Cork flooring finishes can contain solvents and VOCs

Increased demand has reportedly pushed suppliers into harvesting the bark on shorter rotations (thus damaging the trees)

Ottawa-area retailers of cork flooring include:
 * The Healthiest Home

Non-local Suppliers

Carpet
The average carpet is not at all a green option. However there are some environmentally alternatives. It is possible to get carpet that is made mostly with recycled materials (nylon) or made from wool. It is also possible to find carpet that has been dyed with as little as possible impact to the environment. Look for carpet that can be installed with low or no VOCs adhesives.

Possible concerns: The large amounts of water and energy used in the dyeing process.

Manufacturing process can involve the following: heavy metals, formaldehyde and/or vinylchloride and CFCs.

Non-recyclable content.

Ottawa-area retailers of eco-friendly, non-toxic carpet include:
 * The Healthiest Home

Non-local Suppliers

Marmoleum
Marmoleum is an all-natural linoleum made from linseed oil, pine resins, wood flour, flax, ground limestone and pigments.

It is very durable, hypoallergenic and easy to clean.

Marmoleum is available in sheet rolls or tiles and comes in a variety of colours. A glueless system is available for select colours (marmoleum panels "click" together, floating over the subfloor).

Possible concerns Tiles need to be glued with adhesive (low VOC options are available).

Odour from linseed oil may irritate some people

Ottawa-area retailers of marmoleum flooring include:
 * The Healthiest Home

Non-local Suppliers

Reclaimed Wood
Wood can be reclaimed from a number of sources including river wood and old buildings.

Various types of wood are reclaimed such as birch, ash, pine and elm

Possible concerns River wood needs to be dried. This can be accomplished by air drying or by kiln drying (the amount of energy needed for kiln drying is unknown).

Some reclaimed wood flooring is made from railroad trestles which have often been treated with Creosote. Creosote has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a probable carcinogen.

Sometimes wood is bleached before being restained

Ottawa-area retailers of reclaimed wood flooring include:
 * The Healthiest Home
 * Logs End

Non-local Suppliers

Why should I Choose 'Green' Flooring?