1.

Natural linoleum or Marmoleum These products are made from natural

organic products such as linseed oil, cork dust fibres, rosins with a jute backing.
Tough and durable, a green alternative to vinyl.
Materials neto:
Natural raw materials
Marmoleum is a natural floor made from 97% natural raw materials, 70% of which
are rapidly renewable, along with a 43% recycled content. The key raw materials
used in its production include linseed oil, which comes from the flax plant seeds,
wood flour from controlled forests and jute, the natural backing onto which the
linoleum is calendared.
Natural habitat
What makes Marmoleum special is that it is created entirely from raw materials
obtained from their natural habitat right where they grow and renew, often in just
12 months time. Jute and flax are annual crops that can be harvested just like
wheat or corn. Extracting rosin is a continuous process, while wood flour, a waste
material from the timber industry, is derived from European production forests.
Limestone is available in abundance.
Biodegrade
All this makes Marmoleum a natural floor that, after a long 30-plus year life cycle,
can start all over again. Marmoleum can be scrapped, since its biodegrade.
Alternatively, burning Marmoleum delivers a higher caloric value and creates
thermal energy that outweighs the energy used during production. This
demonstrates the full life cycle circle from which nature benefits. > Read more
about Forbo & the environment

Linseed oil

Rosin

Wood flour

Pigments

Limestone

Jute

2. BAMBOO FLOORING
Bamboo flooring is another wood like option that is gaining in popularity. It is actually a
grass that shares similar characteristics as hardwood. It is durable, easy to maintain
and is easy to install. Bamboo is sustainable and made from natural vegetation that
grows to maturity in three to five years, far less than the twenty years trees can take.
Bamboo, while usually very light, is available in many hues that will work in any setting
or decor. Its varied grains and wide array of colors give it an edge over traditional
flooring by allowing for customization not often found elsewhere.
3. CORK FLOORING

Cork is relatively new to the flooring world. It is usually seen on walls or in your favorite
bottle of wine, but it is great material for floors. Cork is harvested from the bark of the
cork oak tree commonly found in the forests of the Mediterranean. The trees are not cut
down to harvest the bark, which will grow back every three years, making it an ideal
renewable source. It has anti-microbial properties that reduce allergens in the home, is
fire retardant, easy to maintain and acts as a natural insect repellent too. Cork, like
wood can be finished in a variety of paints and stains to suit any color scheme or design
style. Its durability allows for uses in any part of the house. Cork floors, depending on
the quality, can last between 10-30 years.
Benefits of cork flooring in sustainable building:

Thermal Insulation cork historically was used in refrigeration applications,

such as in the walls of freezers

Impermeability Since the inter-connected pockets of air are truly so tiny and

microscopic, cork is considered impermeable yet breathable which is why its

desirable for corking wine.
Give the pockets of air compress and then expand again, never collapsing

within the product core, giving the cork resilience and memory. It has excelled for
use as flooring due to the softness under foot, as it is often recommended for people
with back pain who stand on a floor for an extended amount of time.
Design Flexibility the beauty of cork is that it can be cut in numerous ways
that enable veneers with different aesthetics to create highly decorative surfaces.
Cork conglomerate, a recycled cork material, is also readily available. Cork
conglomerate is often used in conjunction with veneers.

Buoyancy Cork floats, and has been used as buoys, floating decoys, and as

runners for pontoons and other water craft.

Slip resistance cork, due to the softness and bounce-back, is very slip

resistant, and has been used extensively on the deck of naval ships. 1
Beauty cork offers a natural beauty and organic feel to homes. It pairs well
withbamboo to create style in a sustainable building plan.

4. Glass Tiles
Ever wonder what happens to the wine bottles and beer bottles that are shipped to the
recycler? They are converted into beautiful glass tiles. This renewable source is fast
becoming a wonderful option for floors as well as bathroom and kitchen walls. Glass
has similar benefits of other eco-friendly materials. It is non-absorptive and wont mildew
or mold in damp environments. It is easy to maintain and wont stain. Glass comes in
a limitless array of colors, patterns and finishes suitable for most design schemes.
Unlike ceramic tiles, glass will reflect light rather than absorb it, adding that additional
layer of light some rooms need.
5. Concrete
Polished concrete is an unlikely sustainable material that is gaining in popularity.
Concrete is typically slab on grade and used as a sub flooring in some residential
settings. If it is polished and tinted to the homeowners taste and style there is no need
for traditional flooring to be put over it. From creating a tiled effect with different colors
to inlaying other materials such as glass the design possibilities are endless. Concrete
is extremely durable, easy to clean and never needs to be replaced.
6. Wool Carpet
Carpet has long been a favorite go-to material for most homes. It is soft to walk on,
comfortable to sit on and comes in a range of colors and patterns. Unfortunately, carpet
has typically been made using volatile organic compounds or toxins that are harmful to
the environment and to our health. There are eco-friendly options though. Consider
carpets made of wool. Wool is a natural resource spun into a thread that can be dyed
any color imaginable, and then be woven to create a carpet. It is one of the first
materials to be used as a floor covering, is very durable and can last centuries. In some
families wool rugs have been passed down from generation to generation making them
family heirlooms. Other natural materials used to make carpets or rugs are sisal, jute
and cotton.
7. P.E.T Berber Carpet

Polyester (P.E.T) Berber is another sustainable carpet to consider. It is made of recycled

plastic bottles, and has a minimal impact to the environment. For every plastic bottle
that is used to create this carpet it is one less sitting in our landfills. There are several
benefits to this recycled material. It is durable, spill resistant and comes in a variety
of aesthetically pleasing colors and patterns. It typically has a flecked appearance
making it suitable to most color schemes. There are drawbacks too. Berber can be
easily snagged causing it to unravel if not repaired promptly. The recycled material can
be a little rough to walk on in your bare feet. Overall, its a very economical material
and deserves a serious look.

8. LINOLEUM FLOORING
When one thinks of linoleum flooring, vinyl tends to come to mind and yet the two are
nowhere close to each other. Vinyl is a synthetic made of chlorinated petrochemicals
that are harmful. Linoleum is created from a concoction of linseed oil, cork dust, tree
resins, wood flour, pigments and ground limestone. Like cork, it is fire retardant and
water resistant. Linoleum is not new to the market; it fell out of favor with the
introduction of vinyl in the 1940s. As architects and designers began asking for it again,
it reemerged with a vast array of bright vibrant colors and a new sealer to protect it from
stains. It has a long shelf life and will hold up to a lot of wear and tear.
9. RUBBER FLOORING
Rubber flooring is made from a rubber tree, a 100% renewable resource. It is easy to
install and maintain, is anti-static and provides effective sound insulation and vibration
reduction. Rubber flooring is also resistant to fading and cigarette burns. Some rubber
flooring is made from synthetic rubber, this is not a sustainable product
10. Leather
Leather is a surprising material that can be used as flooring. It is derived from
the center-most part of the cowhide and is thicker than the leather pieces used for such
things as belts, wallets and handbags. The soft warm feel under foot makes it perfect
for bedrooms, closets and small areas with little foot traffic. It is not a great material for
bathrooms, kitchens or other moist areas of a home. It is very durable and will wear
well over time. Worn, scratched and aged leather develops a personality of its own and
can be beautiful to look at for years to come.

11. NATURAL & RECYCLED CARPET

There are carpets that are sustainable, using natural fibers such as cotton, sisal, wool,
jute and coconut husk. Handmade Citapore rugs include a wide range of sustainable
flooring material as these rugs are generally made from cotton (both virgin and
recycled), jute, rayon and cotton chennile. It is also possible to have carpet made
completely from recycled polyethylene terephthalate used for food/drink containers.
Recycled nylon is also a common material used and the process takes carpet made
with nylon 6 fibers and recycles it into brand new nylon carpet. This process can be
repeated numerous times and in 2009 alone, Shaw's Evergreen facility recycled over
100 million pounds of carpet.[21] This is sustainable and it reduces material sent to
landfill; further it uses dyeing methods that are less polluting and require less energy
than other flooring. This flooring is sustainable when used alongside eco-friendly
adhesive, as some products may have toxic finishes added (stain/fireproofing) that are
not considered sustainable
12. COCO TIMBER
Coconut timber is a hardwood substitute from coconut palm trees. Coconut palm wood
flooring is cheaper than teak, with the wood hardness comparable to mahogany.
Coconut palm wood is made from matured (60 to 80 years old) coconut palm trees that
no longer bear fruits.

13. Steel joist floor systems

Steels greater strength also offers other sustainability advantages over wood. Its ability
to achieve greater spans and greater spacings results in less material used, and less
material transported to the construction site. As steel floor systems can be shallower
than those of wood, building heights can be concomitantly reduced, resulting in a
diminished overall building envelope. That decreased overall surface area translates to
lower material costs and lower eventual energy use for heating or cooling.

14. composite floor construction

*Composite construction is a generic term to describe any building construction
involving multiple dissimilar materials.
Composite construction is a generic term to describe any building construction
involving multiple dissimilar materials.

-Speed of construction..
-resource efficiency..reducing concrete
-off-site manufacture
-recyclable

15. Hardwood Although salvaged or reclaimed wood may be the greenest choice,
wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to be responsibly harvested
from a well-managed forest is the next best thing. It's durable, can be sourced locally
and has a natural and timeless appeal.
16. Carpet tiles They offer the acoustic benefits of carpet with flexibility of tile. Uses
recycled and/or renewable materials with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)
properties. Look for Green Label Plus certification.

17. Mineral Fiber Ceilings

Mineral fiber ceilings are Class A fire-rated, compatible with standard Armstrong
suspension systems and perimeter trim, available in a broad range of textures, sizes,
and colors, and are recyclable at the end of their useful life. Some families are certified
by the USDA BioPreferredSM Products Program.
Mineral fiber panels and tiles are available for every budget and provide the best
combination of sound absorption (NRC) and sound blocking (CAC) available to optimize
acoustics. Learn how to improve occupant comfort by applying Sound Design on your
next project.

Metal: Metal takes a long, intensive process to mine, mill, and fabricate. A lot
of energy is expended into making metal products. However, a recycled metal
paneling system is a great use of the material. A lot of energy goes into
recycling metal too, but not as much as generating a new product from raw
materials.
Wood: While wood is renewable, it is not always a sustainable option. Locally
and sustainably harvested products offer an eco-friendly alternative to more
rare and imported woods. Bamboo is also a rapidly renewing resource, but is
often harvested and then shipped long distances.