The continuing interest in green building and in products that are manufactured with renewable resources has many homeowners considering alternatives to traditional building materials. The flooring category in particular is attracting a lot of attention as more and more earth-friendly options with great looks and high performance move to the mainstream.
"The consciousness of this country is moving into the green building arena," says Ann Knight, principal and vice president of marketing for TimberGrass, a manufacturer of bamboo flooring. "People are looking for new options."
The use of hardwoods for floors raises concerns with some homeowners because of long tree life cycles and depletion of resources. Alternatives include linoleum, cork, and bamboo, which use readily renewable resources. The bark of the cork tree grows continually and benefits from being harvested every 10 years, after which it regrows. Bamboo grass regenerates itself within three to five years after being harvested. Linoleum is manufactured from a combination of linseed oil (from the flax plant), wood and cork flour, ground limestone, tree resins, and pigments attached to a jute-fiber backing, all of which are biodegradable.
Photo Credit: Courtesy BHK
These products aren't gaining in popularity just because of their "green" qualities, however. "Most people want to buy something natural because it does something for them," says Piera Marotta, a residential marketing manager.
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