Wood floors can be a stunning and sustainable option in all kinds of interiors. If you’re working on a project with existing wood floors, consider refinishing first, as it’s always the most sustainable option, and also usually the least expensive, even if you add in the cost of feathering in new boards. “You can re-sand hardwood floors and change the color—coat it, sand it down, and do whatever you want,” says Lawrence Skutelsky, the head of business development at PID Floors in New York. However, in projects where refinishing is not possible, you can seek out companies that prioritize sustainability in their production process.
Almost every flooring manufacturer will make some eco-friendly claims, but you should take these with a grain of salt. Instead, look for third-party certifications, says Skutelsky. There are so many for flooring that PID has created a glossary of the 19 different standards that their wood floors meet, some of which focus on indoor air quality (like Greenguard), while others center circularity (like Cradle to Cradle). The Forest Steward Council certification means that the forest of origin is responsibly managed, but Skutelsky points out there are distinct labels—FSC 100%, for instance, indicates all the wood came from a responsibly managed forest, while FSC Mix means the product is made with a combination of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled sources and/or FSC-controlled wood. Even FSC certification doesn’t guarantee forests are being sustainably managed, as Reuters reported earlier this year, but it noted that environmental groups view FSC as, “the best option among imperfect alternatives.” Also mentioned in the article was the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), a label that sounds like an eco-certification, but has also come under fire from environmental watchdogs for greenwashing as it does not provide any guarantee of sustainable practices.
Whatever you choose, pay attention not just to the base material but also to the finishes and adhesives, which can negatively impact indoor air quality. “Look for low-VOC finishes and even nontoxic glues if possible,” says New York–based interior designer Mina Lisanin, who worked on several LEED-certified projects at Gensler before launching her own firm. “I definitely try to avoid anything with formaldehyde.”
If your clients desire new wood floors (or floors that look like wood), we’ve gathered some intel on how to select the most ecologically responsible and healthy choices.
Hardwood
In theory, hardwood floors are one of the most sustainable choices because they can be refinished many times and can last a hundred years or more—but where they come from matters. To ensure that the hardwood flooring you buy is sustainable, look for something that is certified by a third party and is preferably from North America. Shorter travel distances lower its carbon footprint and minimize the likelihood of illegal sourcing. In general, avoid tropical and other exotic woods. According to the National Resources Defense Council, tropical hardwoods are difficult to manage sustainably because they regenerate poorly after logging, and such forests are often subjected to illegal logging.
Reclaimed & Salvaged Wood
More sustainable still than new hardwood flooring is hardwood that has been salvaged or reclaimed. Reclaimed wood comes from existing buildings or other structures, and salvaged wood is sourced from naturally felled trees. These woods are also often sourced locally, which means there is a lower carbon footprint associated with their transport. When author and small space designer Whitney Leigh Morris was looking for sustainable options for her own home in northern Florida, she discovered river-recovered lumber—trees that were felled for the logging industry decades ago but ended up on the river floor. Lisanin notes that “reclaimed” doesn’t have to mean a rustic barn look: “If it’s real wood, you can always refinish it and make it look more modern or whatever you’re trying to achieve.”
Engineered Wood
Some argue that this category of flooring is the most sustainable because it uses so little hardwood. With engineered floors, a thin veneer of hardwood is glued onto a substrate (often MDF) and the pieces are designed to click together to create a floating floor. This can be especially appealing because it can be installed on top of sound- or shock-absorbing materials and is easy (and therefore less costly) to install. However, there are some drawbacks: If water slips into the cracks where the boards come together, it can damage a much larger portion of the floor (and possibly the subfloor) than a similar leak on hardwood. If you decide to go this route, Green Building Supply stocks the Swedish Kährs brand because it has no added formaldehyde and an ultralow-VOC oiled finish. Architect Holly Mumford, the founder of Hereabout, likes Stuga for its “good wood paired with clean sealers,” as well as its transparent pricing and third-party certifications.
Laminate
Few designers prefer laminate for aesthetic reasons, but when a budget is tight, a client might ask for it. While this faux wood may seem less expensive upfront, laminate cannot be refinished, meaning it will need to be replaced sooner, making it both unsustainable and ultimately less affordable. Sustainability claims in this category are tricky: For example, a manufacturer may boast that it recycles nearly all of its vinyl, but the recycling process can be potentially toxic, especially if postconsumer waste is used. The experts at the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design say vinyl recycling may lead to the presence of lead, arsenic, toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), or elevated levels of plasticizers, depending on the source of the recycled material. (Designers may also recall the 60 Minutes special almost a decade ago about the high levels of formaldehyde in laminate floors that precipitated the decline of Lumber Liquidators.)
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Luxury Vinyl Tile, or LVT, has exploded in recent years—often with claims that it is a sustainable choice. However, the material, which comes in many wood-like finishes, is made from vinyl (also known as PVC), which is plastic and nonbiodegradable. The Healthy Materials Lab strongly discourages the use of LVT because of the negative health risks, noting, “As chlorine molecules are heated to high temperatures during the manufacturing, burning and landfilling of PVC, a type of highly toxic chemicals known as dioxins are released. Dioxins not only persist in the body for years after exposure, but with links to cancer, reproductive disorders and hormone disruption, they have been called the most toxic man-made substance ever created. PVC floors also contain phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors.”
Ceramic Tile
If your client is looking for an easy-to-clean alternative to real wood, you might consider porcelain tile that looks like wood. That’s what interior designer Lisa Ehrlich of Greenwich, Connecticut–based Gingham & Gable used in her own Vermont ski house when she wanted something she could easily mop clean. “For my active family, which includes a dog, porcelain tile was the go-to option for form and function,” she says, noting the one she chose was made in the U.S. and that porcelain wears well and lasts for a very long time.
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Laura Fenton is a writer with a special interest in the intersection between homes and sustainability, and is the author of the Living Small newsletter and two interior design books, The Little Book of Living Small and The Bunk Bed Book. She has written about home and design for nearly 20 years, and her work has appeared in many outlets, including Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Real Simple, and The Washington Post, as well as online publications and regional design magazines.
