Hardwood Flooring and Sustainability: Why They’re the Best Choice

In 2022, green buildings and residential homes with eco-friendly additions had a 7% greater asset value. Sustainable homes are becoming more popular every year, but many homeowners believe that making sustainable choices mean sacrificing their preferred interior design. However, that idea is far from the truth. Flooring projects are one of the most expensive and impactful renovations. People can enjoy the perks of eco-friendly living without giving up style with the appropriate material. Hardwood floors are appealing for many reasons, and sustainability is one of them. Find out why they’re the best choice for your place this2023.

Hardwoods are Renewable Resources

Hardwood, or any wood in general, are renewable resource. Most people avoid using wood because of the idea of them being limited or nonrenewable. While some tree species are becoming limited due to deforestation and climate change, many hardwood species are still replenishable.

In addition, hardwood tree farms and lumber yards follow the government regulations set to protect the timeframe and amount of wood they can harvest. Tree farmers comply with these laws, making hardwood sustainably harvestable.

Another misconception about tree harvesting is its effect on the environment. Unlike what most believe, harvesting trees for flooring and other woodwork has little environmental impact when managed carefully. Hardwood forests plant and gather lumber while prioritizing sustainability.

Farmers replant an average of 1.66 cubic feet of trees for every felled hardwood tree. This ensures that the harvest rates for hardwood are lesser than their average growth rate. Most hardwood species need over 60 years to mature, but the replanting process makes enough supply to give seedlings time to grow.

Less Waste in Manufacturing

Floor coverings and other flooring options produce massive amounts of waste during manufacturing. In addition, they use raw materials and chemicals that have dangerous effects on the environment. While other floorings cost more affordable, they have many leftovers that factories don’t discard properly.

Hardwood and stone floorings need the least amount of energy during production. Producing and manufacturing hardwood planks also leave little waste as manufacturers collect wood chips and sawdust to make other composite products like paper.

You can also burn excess hardwood because they’re clean bio-energy. Moreover, hardwood manufacturers use other waste management alternatives to make use of 99% of each tree they harvest. 

Longevity

On average, hardwood floors can last for three decades. But if homeowners treat them with proper care and maintenance, they can enjoy the perks of hardwood flooring for a century. During this timeframe, they can refinish and re-stain their floors whenever they need. Other flooring options like linoleum and laminated floorings can only serve homes between 15 to 25 years.

Although some options like stone and tile last as long as hardwood, people can’t refinish them. They’re also more prone to staining and cracks as they grow older. Unlike these materials, hardwood floors are durable and can handle everyday wear and tear with little maintenance.

Hardwood flooring is also more expensive than most selections, but homeowners don’t need to take them apart when a plank or two gets damaged. Instead of replacing your entire flooring, you can replace or repair the area that needs it with hardwood floors. 

Hardwood Impacts Air Quality

The increasing popularity of green buildings and their benefits to many homeowners affected the demands for sustainable solutions. With more homeowners looking for eco-friendly and responsible solutions, raw construction materials like hardwood have to keep up with the environmental footprint in mind.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, making them carbon-neutral products even after harvest. The national and local government also ensures every tree forest follows the regulations on sustainable harvesting to avoid negative impacts on air quality and climate change. By following these environmental laws and their neutral status, hardwood floors have lower effects on the environment.

A study by the Environmental Protection Agency also states that hardwood flooring improves home air quality. They’re also hypoallergenic and are harder to contaminate with animal dander or mold. In addition, these flooring options rarely use glues and harsh adhesives that can impact household air quality due to their emissions. 

Hardwood Planks are Reusable

Unlike most flooring options, hardwood planks are reusable materials. Homes can use solid hardwood more than once as flooring and reuse them for other building projects. In addition, homes can sand and stain their floorboards numerous times to match their design plans.

While you can’t use damaged hardwood planks for flooring, you can still recycle the wood and use them for furniture or as accent walls. Reclaimed wood is also gaining more popularity and provides an aesthetic look to many homes. 

Hardwood Flooring Services in Austin, TX

Hardwood floors are not only financially worthwhile additions to your home. They’re also the best sustainable option for your home without sacrificing style or design. Despite the popularity of these wooden floorings, many people still have misconceptions about their environmental impacts. These five reasons show that hardwood is one of the most stylish eco-friendly building materials homeowners should consider having.

Are you planning to install hardwood flooring in Austin, Texas? Contact Kelly Hardwood Floors today to talk to a professional!