Guide to Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Flooring Options
Eco-Friendly Flooring
There was a time when the term eco-friendly evoked images of bland, boring, and uninspiring materials. That is not the case today. As more designers seek out sustainable materials for their environmentally conscious clients, manufacturers have responded with a wide array of beautiful, high-performance options.
At 2020 Flooring, we believe sustainable choices and great design go hand in hand. Whether you're drawn to the warmth of cork, the modern appeal of polished concrete, or the softness of wool carpet, our flooring experts can help you find the perfect fit for your home — and your values.
Eco-Friendly Flooring Options
Explore our most popular sustainable flooring solutions — each with real-world performance notes, maintenance tips, and design considerations.
Cork Flooring
Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, commonly found in Mediterranean forests. The trees are never cut down — the bark regenerates every three years, making cork one of the most renewable flooring materials available. Beyond sustainability, cork brings real practical benefits: it has anti-microbial properties that reduce allergens, is naturally fire retardant, and acts as a natural insect repellent. Like hardwood, cork can be finished in a variety of paints and stains to suit any color scheme, and its durability allows use throughout the home. Quality cork floors can last between 10 to 30 years.
A few considerations: cork can fade with prolonged sun exposure, so quality window treatments are recommended. It can also dent and scratch from heavy furniture, pet nails, or high heels. Cork is sensitive to moisture — it should be sealed every few years and is not ideal for kitchens or basements where standing water is a risk.
- Sustainability: bark harvested without cutting the tree, regrows every 3 years
- Health benefits: anti-microbial, fire retardant, natural insect repellent
- Lifespan: 10–30 years depending on quality and maintenance
- Caution: sensitive to moisture and temperature — seal every few years
- Best for: bedrooms, living rooms, low-moisture areas
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is a grass — not a wood — but shares many characteristics with hardwood: it's durable, easy to maintain, and visually warm. Its greatest sustainability advantage is its rapid growth cycle; bamboo reaches maturity in three to five years, compared to the twenty-plus years required for most hardwood trees.
That said, bamboo is not without trade-offs. It is prone to scratching and, despite being marketed as extremely hard, many homeowners report surface wear sooner than expected. Bamboo is also susceptible to water damage — excess moisture causes warping, spotting, and over time, mold growth between planks. It is best suited to dry areas of the home and is not a recommended choice for kitchens or bathrooms.
- Sustainability: matures in 3–5 years vs. 20+ for trees
- Durability: can be up to 3x harder than oak, but scratches do occur
- Moisture risk: warps and grows mold with excessive water exposure
- Best for: dry areas — living rooms, bedrooms, hallways
- Avoid: kitchens, bathrooms, high-humidity spaces
Linoleum
Linoleum is frequently confused with vinyl, but the two materials are fundamentally different. Vinyl is synthetic, made from chlorinated petrochemicals. Linoleum is composed of entirely natural ingredients: linseed oil, cork dust, tree resins, wood flour, pigments, and ground limestone. Like cork, it is fire retardant and water resistant. After falling out of fashion with the rise of vinyl in the 1940s, linoleum has re-emerged with vibrant color options and improved sealers that protect against staining.
Linoleum is low maintenance but does require polishing once or twice a year to maintain its finish. It can be stripped and re-polished if staining occurs. Note that prolonged exposure to standing water can cause permanent damage, and some buyers perceive it as a lower-value material — a consideration if resale appeal matters.
- Composition: 100% natural — linseed oil, cork dust, limestone, resins
- Maintenance: polish 1–2 times per year for best results
- Water resistance: resistant, but standing water causes damage
- Longevity: long shelf life with proper care
- Note: may affect perceived property value for some buyers
Polished Concrete
Polished concrete is an unlikely but increasingly popular sustainable flooring choice. In many residential settings, concrete already exists as the subfloor — meaning no additional raw materials are needed. 2020 Flooring can polish and tint your existing slab to your exact taste, eliminating the need to install traditional flooring on top of it entirely.
The design possibilities are extensive: from tiled color effects to inlaid glass or other materials, concrete offers a uniquely customizable surface. It is extremely durable, easy to clean, and in most cases will never need to be replaced.
- Sustainability: repurposes existing subfloor — no new raw materials needed
- Durability: one of the longest-lasting flooring options available
- Design range: tints, patterns, inlays — highly customizable
- Maintenance: easy to clean, minimal ongoing care
- Best for: open-plan living, modern and industrial interiors
Wool Carpet
Carpet has long been a home staple for its softness and comfort, but conventional carpet is often manufactured using volatile organic compounds and synthetic toxins. Wool carpet is a natural, non-toxic alternative that has been used as a floor covering for centuries. Wool is spun, dyed, and woven into carpet that is not only beautiful but remarkably durable — wool rugs have historically been passed down as family heirlooms across generations.
Other natural carpet materials worth considering include sisal, jute, and cotton — each offering a distinct texture and aesthetic suited to different design styles.
- Material: 100% natural, biodegradable fiber
- Durability: exceptionally long-lasting with proper care
- Health: no VOCs or synthetic toxins
- Alternatives: sisal, jute, and cotton for similar natural options
- Best for: bedrooms, living rooms, low-traffic comfort areas
P.E.T Berber Carpet
Polyester Berber (P.E.T) carpet is made from recycled plastic bottles — every bottle used to produce this carpet is one less sitting in a landfill. It's a smart, circular-economy solution that doesn't sacrifice performance. P.E.T Berber is durable, spill resistant, and available in a variety of colors and patterns. Its characteristic flecked appearance makes it compatible with most color schemes and interior styles.
A few caveats: Berber can snag, and if not repaired promptly the loop structure may unravel. The recycled fiber texture can also feel slightly rough underfoot in bare feet. Overall, it is an economical and environmentally responsiblechoice that deserves serious consideration.
- Sustainability: made entirely from recycled plastic bottles
- Performance: durable and spill resistant
- Appearance: flecked finish suits most color palettes
- Watch out: prone to snagging — repair pulls promptly
- Best for: family rooms, hallways, budget-conscious projects
Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring made from recycled tires has long been a staple in gyms and playgrounds — but it is increasingly finding its way into kitchens, sunrooms, and bathrooms as a versatile, attractive, and long-lasting residential option. It is comfortable underfoot, highly water resistant, and available in a wide range of colors and patterns to suit modern interiors.
- Sustainability: manufactured from recycled tires
- Water resistance: excellent — suitable for wet areas
- Comfort: cushioned underfoot feel
- Design: available in many colors and surface textures
- Best for: kitchens, bathrooms, sunrooms, utility spaces
Reclaimed Hardwood
If you're committed to traditional hardwood but want to minimize environmental impact, reclaimed hardwood is the ideal solution. It repurposes wood salvaged from old structures — barns, warehouses, factories — giving new life to timber that was felled long ago. Reclaimed wood flooring carries rich character, natural aging, and a story that no new-cut board can replicate. It looks particularly beautiful in older homes, beach cottages, and rustic or transitional interiors.
If reclaimed wood isn't available in the species or format you need, look for hardwood carrying the FSC certification — a designation by the Forest Stewardship Council that promotes responsible forest management adhering to high social and environmental standards worldwide.
- Sustainability: reuses existing wood — no new trees harvested
- Aesthetic: natural aging, unique character markings
- Alternative: FSC-certified new hardwood for responsible sourcing
- Best for: older homes, rustic interiors, beach cottages
- Availability: wide plank formats most common in reclaimed stock