Eco-friendly flooring
‘Be more green’.
It’s set to be one of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions for 2022.
From eating less meat to using more public transport, people are keen to apply an ‘environmentally friendly’ ethos to all aspects of their lives – and floor renovation projects are no exception.
In recent years, we’ve noticed a shift in what people want from a new floor. Style, durability and cost are still important factors. But now, sustainability is also at the top of their priority list.
Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, this is something that’s important to us too. As a leading online store, we’re always looking for new ways to help reduce our carbon footprint and we now stock many eco-friendly flooring products – that are just as sustainable as they are stylish.
So, why not take a look? Check out our top tips on how to reduce the impact of your flooring on the environment and update your home with an easy conscience this January.
How to make your new flooring as sustainable as possible
1. Invest in underlay
All underlays can be considered ‘eco-friendly’ to a certain extent. It protects the flooring from day-to-day wear and tear, and as such, can extend its lifespan by up to 50%. But for those who are really keen to lessen their impact on the planet, wool underlay leads the way.
Take, for example, the wool felt underlay currently available in our store. Made by Wilsons Underlay, this is a truly sustainable flooring product with fantastic eco-credentials.
The underlay itself is constructed from a variety of upcycled materials, including textiles, synthetic carpet offcuts and jute that were all headed for the landfill. No harmful chemicals are used during its manufacture and the by-products are naturally kind to the environment. What’s more, once it reaches the end of its life, it can be recycled again.
Despite these environmental benefits, our wool underlay still performs very well – offering superb underfoot comfort and significant levels of thermal and sound insulation. Priced at just £2.53 per m2, it’s a low-cost choice that can make a big difference to the sustainability of your project.
2. Think carefully about your floor covering
With more focus on ‘green’ living than ever before, the market for ‘eco flooring’ is starting to fill up. There are now plenty of options for the environmentally savvy to choose from. So be sure to have a look around and pick a covering that is stylish, high-performance and climate-friendly.
If you’re a fan of carpet, we recommend sticking to pure wool. Not only is it a natural resource, it’s long-lasting and can improve thermal insulation – helping you to cut back on energy.
Laminate is also a very environmentally friendly flooring. Take, for example, Royale® 8mm Laminate – available here at Carpet Underlay Shop. Manufactured using the latest technology, this features a high-density fibreboard core, and the image layer is printed onto embossed paper. As a result, it’s ISO 14001 environmental approved and a great eco-friendly choice for both domestic and commercial projects.
Alternatively, you could opt for linoleum. It’s made a huge comeback in recent years – with attractive designs that mimic the look of real wood. And it’s made from 100% biodegradable materials.
3. Maximise the potential of your flooring
The longer something lasts the better it is for the environment. Therefore, to maximise the lifespan of your chosen floor covering, it’s important to look after it properly.
Start by installing it correctly, with an adequate level of insulation. Clean it regularly in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Deal with any dirt or spillages as soon as possible. And with a little care and attention, most floor types can be kept in excellent condition for many years.
If, in the future, you fancy freshening up your décor, try to think outside the box. Are there any ways in which you could update your flooring, rather than replace it? For example, floor paint is a brilliant way to spruce up old laminate flooring. Or you could use carpet dye to add a new pop of colour.
Sustainable flooring products at Carpet Underlay Shop
As part of our online flooring collection, we now stock an expanding range of eco flooring products – including the wool underlay and laminate flooring mentioned above, as well as many others.
To find out more about these products – or for further advice on how to reduce the environmental impact of your next flooring project – please feel free to get in touch. Our team of experts are always on hand and happy to assist with your enquiries. Simply give us a call on 0203 887 0994 or send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
- Alex Illidge
