In a world where sustainability and environmental awareness are becoming increasingly important, it is essential to consider the choices we make, even when it comes to furnishing our homes. The most used item in our home, the floor, cannot be excluded from this process. For this reason, it is important when choosing a type of flooring to pay close attention to the possible consequences it may or may not have on sustainability and the environment. In this blog, we delve deeper into a large number of flooring types and what you can consider with these flooring types to limit your ecological footprint as much as possible.
PVC and laminate flooring, often not from Europe, but with a very long lifespan
In the Netherlands, PVC and laminate flooring are by far the best-selling, and not without reason. These floors come with a wide range of advantages. For example, PVC floors, in both click PVC and glue-down PVC, are extremely suitable for use with underfloor heating. While this was not the case in the past, most laminate floors are now also suitable for use with underfloor heating. In addition, these floors offer various other advantages in terms of sustainability.
PVC and most laminate floors = high transport footprint
When we look at PVC floors and laminate floors, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that these floors are often produced in Asia and then transported to Europe. This transport route has an impact on the environment, but unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about this. PVC floors are often only produced in Asia, and laminate floors are only produced by a few A-brands in Europe. Therefore, these distances are virtually unavoidable.
Choose brands that recycle PVC
The fact that a lot of PVC and laminate is produced in, for example, China does not mean that you should not choose such a floor. However, what you can take into account is the working conditions and environmental standards that are met for specific floors. By choosing A-brands, you are assured of getting a floor of the highest possible quality, but you are also assured that a lot is being done in the field of the environment. For example, there are various brands that recycle old PVC floors. Choose reputable brands such as Floer, Vivafloors and Floorify to be sure of an A-brand that places high demands on responsible production in Asia.
Professional installation and good maintenance are the magic words for a long lifespan
In addition to professional installation, ensure good maintenance of your laminate and PVC flooring. This will extend their lifespan to decades. For this purpose, check out the various floor cleaners for sale at Solza. For example, you could look at special laminate cleaner or PVC cleaner. Oh, be careful with so-called DIY store quality laminate and PVC; these cheap, unbranded variants are generally not made for a long lifespan.
Laminate and click PVC can be fairly easily disassembled and reused
Replacing your floor after only a few years because you no longer like the color is not done. Therefore, choose a timeless floor color that doesn't quickly get boring. Are you someone who quickly wants something new? Then choose laminate or click PVC; these floors can be easily disassembled and reused.
Hybrid wooden floors and traditional parquet made in Europe
Fortunately, there are numerous options within Europe when it comes to sustainably manufactured floors. Wooden floors, such as those made from European hardwood (read 95% of cases oak), offer a renewable and sustainable source of materials.
Another even more sustainable solution are the Hybrid Wooden Floors from the Floer brand. These are special wooden parquet floors that are suitable for underfloor heating, easy to maintain and much less vulnerable than the traditional parquet floor as we know it. Thanks to the wood powder technology top layer, these real wooden floors are incredibly strong and durable. Sanding and oiling is even unnecessary!
Hybrid parquet floors offer an enormous number of advantages. They embody the warm and authentic appearance inherent in real wooden floors, and in addition, they possess durability and resistance to scratches and stains. What can be added to this is the fact that they can be installed with ease and require little maintenance. Are you moving? Then you can even take these real wooden floors with you to your next home if desired (provided they are not glued, but laid floating). In terms of price, they are also more attractive than solid wooden floors.
Ceramic floor tiles from Spain, Italy or Portugal
Ceramic parquet is another excellent choice. Here, clay is fired in the oven at approximately 1200 degrees. So, it does require some energy to produce. However, transportation costs are relatively low because they are made in our 'own' Europe.
For example, concrete-look ceramic tiles for a commercial building or a warm wood-look floor for homes are beautiful. It mimics the appearance of real (oak) wood, while retaining the durability and ease of maintenance of ceramic tiles. Many of these tiles are produced in Southern Europe and, compared to, for example, China, have a relatively short journey to your home. In addition, ceramic parquet is an excellent conductor for underfloor heating, and its lifespan is easily 30 years or more. Here too, choose a timeless color; the tiles are glued, so reuse is difficult. Make it a sport to keep the floor tiles in place for as long as possible.
Ceramic floor tiles are made from natural raw materials. Many of these raw materials are recycled. Old ceramic tiles, or tiles with production errors, are ground down again into raw materials for new tiles.
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, a ceramic tile floor is particularly durable because it can sometimes last a lifetime. Ceramic is wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, colorfast, dimensionally stable, waterproof, and stains cannot penetrate the tiles. Due to their hardness, tiles are also very easy to clean with soapy water.
Cork from Portugal
Cork is made from the bark of the cork oak. Cork floors may not be the hardest floors, but they are very decorative and often made in our 'own' Portugal. Lay a cozy cork floor in a practice room, home office, or tea house. The cork wall covering is also very interesting. Nowadays also available in trendy gray and black in addition to brown.
> Read more about the pros and cons of cork floors and walls here.
Akupanel vs natural panels
Do you want to cover your wall with decorative panels? Then choose the natural panels from Solza. These are bio-based wall panels made in the Netherlands from straw, grass, cattail plants from Friesland, and rice husks.
Do you want to reduce your footprint with acoustic panels? Choose Akupanel wall panels with oak slats made from European oak. This way, you also contribute to fewer transport movements from distant places. Most Akupanel panels are made in China, while the XL panels, 3 meters high, from the Floer brand are produced in Denmark.
Conclusion…
When choosing sustainable flooring for your home, it is crucial to look beyond just the appearance. By opting for flooring produced in Europe, such as wooden floors, ceramic parquet, you contribute to a more sustainable future. For walls, you are a pioneer if you choose bio-based materials like cattail or straw.
Are you choosing PVC or Laminate? Then 99 out of 100 times you are dealing with production in Asia. In that case, check 2 things carefully:
1. Make sure you choose a floor that complies with European standards and quality marks. Some examples are Floorscore, Blaue Engel, Reach, DIBt, Emission Class (A+) etc.
2. Go for a long lifespan. This means professional installation, good maintenance, and then a glue-down PVC floor, but also better brands of laminate and click PVC, should certainly last for decades. Are you tired of your floor? Try to keep it and give it a different feel with a new rug, different wall colors, etc. Are you using click laminate or click PVC? Then you can easily reuse the floorboards with careful dismantling. Glue-down PVC lasts longer than click, but cannot be dismantled; however, more and more brands offer a recycling service.
By reducing your ecological footprint, you not only help the (indoor) environment, but you are also creating a more livable planet for generations to come. Choose consciously, choose local, choose sustainability. Finally, you stimulate the European economy. Are you going for a product from distant lands? Then make it a sport for these products to outlast you.
