CHOOSING ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING

Whether you're planning to extend or renovate your home, a key decision is choosing the right floor - here are the options that have the lowest impact on the environment

- WORDS: HUGH METCALF, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SEAN O'CONNELL IMAGE: VASTERNTIMBER. *ACCORDING TO A 2025 SURVEY BY HILLARY'S

Over the last decade or two, the term 'going green' has become common parlance and, for those of us who want to live a more sustainable lifestyle, there's no better place to start than in the home. With an estimated £11.2 billion* spent on home improvements in the UK last year, the eco market has mushroomed and the variety of sustainable flooring out there is greater than ever. But investing in eco flooring is not just good for the conscience - it also offers natural beauty and creates healthier homes.

WHAT IS ECO FLOORING?

Eco flooring is the label given to a range of products that are designed with sustainability in mind. To be classed as 'eco', they are typically made from renewable, recyclable or low-impact materials, and are produced using environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. Eco flooring should also avoid the use of chemicals that damage the environment and that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can reduce indoor air quality and, in some cases, affect our health. A truly sustainable flooring manufacturer should carefully consider the entire life cycle of a product, from creation to disposal. Look out for flooring that has official accreditation of high environmental standards from consumer-friendly guides, such as EU Ecolabel and Cradle to Cradle (C2C).

ADDED BENEFITS

As well as knowing that you're reducing your impact on the planet by improving your home's carbon footprint, there are a number of other practical advantages to investing in eco-friendly flooring.

Sustainability A sustainable flooring material is one that replaces itself and in enough volume that it doesn't deplete the resource below a set equilibrium.