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Kitchen Flooring: 6 Eco-Friendly Options & Where To Buy

Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold is the Managing Editor of Cubby, and one of Apartment Therapy Media’s first full-time editors from way back when. She was the founding Design and Lifestyle Editor for Kitchn and the Managing Editor for Apartment Therapy’s green living site, Re-Nest (RIP). After a few years offline and then working elsewhere, she’s back to share ideas about design, kids, and family life. It’s helpful that she now has two little kids and lots of thoughts about all those things. She lives with said kids and their father in St. Paul, MN.
updated Jul 17, 2020
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

If you’re undertaking a kitchen renovation, most likely you’re looking at a new floor. But you might be wondering: Are there sustainable flooring options? Indeed there are! We’ve put together a list of the top six materials—bamboo, cork, linoleum, wood, tile and stone—and a list of the distributors/stores where you can buy them:

  • Bamboo: While there is concern about the amount of energy it takes to ship bamboo, bamboo flooring remains an extremely durable, renewable resource. Look for bamboo products that are FSC-certified and have no added formaldehyde. Distributors: Foundations Strand, EcoTimber, Teragren, Duro Design, and Plyboo.
  • Cork: Cork is made from the bark of a cork oak. It’s easy to clean and has good foot support and sound absorption qualities. It’s a rapidly renewable resource, hypoallergenic, non-toxic and naturally mold and pest resistant. Distributors: See Where To Buy Cork: The Top Suppliers
  • Linoleum: Real linoleum is an all-natural flooring option made of linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments, all pressed onto a jute backing. It’s long-lasting, easy to clean, and often contains recycled content. Distributors: Forbo Marmoleum, Nova Linoleum
  • Wood: Wood is a classic and durable flooring option. Just make sure that the wood you choose is Forest Stewardship Council certified, or salvaged/reclaimed wood. Avoid products with added formaldehyde, which are sometimes used in engineered/pressed wood backing or sublayers. Also look for sealers and cleaners that are environmentally benign and low-VOC. Distributors: EcoTimber, TerraMai, Trestlewood
  • Tile: Tile is beautiful and durable, and you can find companies that make their tile products with up to 100% recycled glass or ceramic. Distributors: TerraGreen Ceramics, Trend, Eco Friendly Flooring, Quarry Tile Company
  • Stone: Look for locally (or at least domestically) mined and fabricated stone, but avoid buying imported stone in order to reduce transport-related energy. If you need to use a sealer, make sure it’s a low-VOC product (less than 200 g/L of VOCs, per SCAQMD Rule 1113). Distributors: Eco Friendly Flooring

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(Image: Bamboo flooring at the Kettle Brook Lofts)

 

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