How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with The Right Flooring Material
With the growing awareness for greener living in Singapore, the idea of sustainability can be applied in many areas in our lives, and that includes eco-friendly home design. While opting for energy-efficient LED light bulbs and choosing a green electricity plan for your home are good ways to start, there are other interior decor alternatives worth exploring to help reduce your carbon footprint more effectively. If you’re undergoing a major renovation project or replacing your existing flooring, you can make a positive impact on the environment by first investing in the right flooring.
To get you started, we’ve summed up the three key things to look out for when sourcing for eco-friendly flooring:
1. Prioritise durability
For high-traffic areas like the entryway and living room, it can make a difference when your flooring is designed to stand the test of time. You can consider durable flooring materials like vinyl flooring that are built to last. As the flooring is highly durable and require minimum maintenance, the flooring won’t require frequent repairs or touch-ups, and this can increase cost-efficiency for you in the long run. With various features like scratch-resistance and termite-proof properties, your choice of flooring will ultimately make a worthy long-term investment in years to come.
2. Opt for natural materials
Natural wood flooring like teak generally takes up less energy and requires fewer raw materials to produce. Besides real solid wood planks, engineered wood flooring that’s made of 100% real timber is also another durable option to consider. These types of wood flooring can contribute to a cosy home and as they come in a variety of hues, you can easily find one that complements your interior design scheme. Most importantly, they leave a smaller carbon footprint when manufactured from recycled or ecologically harvested sources.
3. Scrutinise for eco-friendly labelling
On that note, to carefully select a sustainable flooring product, it is also about considering the impact of its supply chain on the environment. While many production processes have advanced and improved over the years, harmful chemicals like phthalates are still produced through the manufacture of subpar quality flooring materials. These toxins eventually contribute to indoor air pollution and pose a health risk to those exposed. When it finally comes to the disposal of lower quality flooring, it may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are harmful to the environment. The more you know about the flooring options you have in mind, the more certain you’ll be about your final choice.
Get the Look (While Helping the Environment)
In a nutshell, it is important to work with a reliable flooring company that not only commits to phthalate-free and sustainable practices but also offers 100% eco-friendly, non-toxic products. Backed up with credible accreditations from SGBC (Singapore Green Building Council) , rest assured that you’ve got the highest standards flooring that’s best for healthy home living with The Floor Gallery. By staying true to our philosophy of eco-friendly flooring, it’s certainly possible to beautify your home with environmentally friendly floor choices.
