Having an ecological floor, yes it is possible!

In an era where recycling, reuse, and environmental preservation are key concerns, more and more people want to make responsible choices for their homes. Are you renovating and want to opt for more eco-friendly flooring? It's entirely possible! Here are the features to look for to make an informed, environmentally friendly, and sustainable choice.

Focus on recycled, renewable, or recyclable materials

Flooring made from recycled materials

Tile made from recycled materials: Denobair Estate

Flooring containing recycled materials, whether pre- or post-consumer, is growing in popularity. However, the percentage of recycled content is not always specified—it can vary greatly from one product to another.

Discover our porcelain and ceramic tiles containing recycled material

Discover our glass tiles containing recycled material

FSC-certified wood flooring

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification ensures that wood comes from responsible forest management, both ecologically and socially. PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certification, although less common here, has a similar objective but mainly concerns European products.

Choosing local flooring: ecological and economic benefits

Canadian red oak wood flooring

Did you know that you can choose walnut, cherry, oak, ash, maple, or hickory wood flooring that is entirely made in Canada? It's a local solution that reduces transportation emissions while supporting the domestic economy. With this high accessibility and the wide range available on the market, we suggest avoiding exotic woods.

Be wary of claims such as “Designed in Canada” or “Canadian company,” which do not guarantee that the product is manufactured here.

Discover our Canadian solid wood and engineered wood floors

Durable flooring that will last for years

The most eco-friendly flooring is undoubtedly the kind you won't have to replace in five years. So prioritize:

• Classic, timeless products over fleeting trends.
• Higher quality products. For example, for wood floors, choose harder species, thick wear layers, and the best finish offered by the manufacturer. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are also excellent choices because of their high resistance.
• Easy-to-maintain products to prevent premature deterioration of your materials. Be sure to maintain them with the right products!

If you opt for a more affordable product such as laminate or vinyl, choose water-resistant or water-repellent versions, which are increasingly effective.

Finally, don't overlook the quality of installation! Professional installation could save you a lot of trouble.

Choose flooring with low volatile organic compound (VOC) content

For the health of your home, choose flooring (and installation products) with low VOC emissions.

Note that several companies promote labels such as CARB2, TSCA Title VI, and E1. These labels all refer to compliance with formaldehyde emission limits in wood composites, but there is no official certification at this level.

Otherwise, there are several certifications that manufacturers proudly display on their products.

Greenguard certifications

Greenguard certifications help consumers identify products with low chemical emissions, ensuring good indoor air quality.

FloorScore® certification

FloorScore certification is specific to the flooring industry and is also used to identify products with low VOC emissions.

Green Label Plus certification for carpets

Green Label Plus certification is specific to carpets, underlays, and adhesives and is used to identify products that offer the best guarantee of indoor air quality in this product category.

Environmental certifications and standards: good indicators

A truly committed manufacturer will proudly display its initiatives on its website. Don't hesitate to do your research! You will be able to find information such as:

• HPD (Health Product Declaration): A comprehensive report verified and approved by a third party describing a product's ingredients and its impact on health.
• EPD (Environmental Product Declaration): A comprehensive report verified and approved by a third party describing a product's environmental footprint throughout its entire life cycle.
• Adoption of ISO 14001: A company's commitment to taking the necessary measures to improve its environmental performance.

All of these measures, in addition to the certifications mentioned earlier in this article, ultimately lead to a product being chosen for use in green construction. One of the most widely recognized certifications worldwide is undoubtedly LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which consists of an assessment of the environmental and energy performance of buildings.

All material choices in a building have an impact on the building's ability to obtain LEED certification. These materials can therefore contribute to a building obtaining certification. You will therefore find this certification on certain floor coverings or installation products.

An eco-friendly floor for every room in every home

In short, the most eco-friendly flooring will be the one that combines the most characteristics among those outlined in this article, namely flooring that is:

• Made from recycled, renewable, or recyclable materials
• Local
• Durable
• Low in VOCs

With the many options available today, it is entirely possible to combine aesthetics, performance, and respect for the environment. Depending on your environmental values, needs, and budget, you will undoubtedly find the perfect fit. Visit manufacturers' websites, ask our advisors questions... and build a greener living space that reflects your values!