| Material | Selection Tips | Pros | Cons | Cost | Recommended Uses |
Bamboo
Renewable resource. Fast-growing grass that can be selectively harvested annually. | Look for bamboo products that have no formaldehyde added. | * Renewable resource
* Extremely durable
* Harder than red oak or maple
| * Overuse of natural bamboo forests may be destroying them
* Asian sources require significant embodied energy for transport
| $4 - $8 per square foot | * Bedroom
* Living room
* Family room
* Dining room
* Kitchen
* Entry way
|
Carpet
Green carpets and area rugs are those made from natural fibers or with a high content of recycled synthetic fibers. | Look for The Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Plus certification. Area rugs and carpet tiles are preferable to broadloom (wall-to-wall) carpet.
| * Carpet industry is actively addressing its environmental issues | * Synthetic fibers are made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource
* Difficult to clean
* Can harbor dirt, dust and mold | $4 and up per square foot | * Formal areas
* Bedroom
* Stairs |
Cork
Cork is a renewable resource made from the bark of the cork oak. | Look for products that have no formaldehyde added. Avoid cork-vinyl composites. | * Renewable resource
* Sometimes has recycled content
* Easy to clean if properly sealed
* Good foot support | * Indoor air quality impacts from sealers used to create a durable surface
* European sources result in higher embodied energy for transport
| $3 - $6 per square foot | * kitchen
* Family room
|
Linoleum
Same ingredients today as when it was invented in 1863 -- linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments, all pressed onto a jute backing.
| Look for "natural linoleum." Vinyl flooring is sometimes generically called "linoleum." | * Renewable ingredients
* Often has recycled content
* 30- to 40-year lifespan
* Easy to clean
* Good foot support | * Made in Europe, resulting in significant embodied energy for transport
* Odor from linseed oil may irritate some people
| $4 per square foot | * Kitchen
* Bathroom
* Family room |
Rubber
Virgin rubber is derived from rubber trees, a renewable resource; recycled rubber reduces the environmental burden of discarded tires. | Almost all rubber, except virgin rubber, has a significant odor. Use indoors only in well-ventilated areas. | * Often has recycled content
* Easy to clean
* Good foot support
* Can be installed without adhesives
* Durable (20-year lifespan) | * Continual off-gassing has indoor air quality impact | $5 - $7 per square foot | * Outdoors
* Well-ventilated indoor space |
Stone
Natural resource; durable material. | Look for locally mined and fabricated stone. Look for stone that does not have to be sealed. | * Easy to clean
* Durable | * Stone is a finite resource
* High embodied energy if stone is mined or fabricated overseas
* Sealers produce potentially harmful VOC emissions | $3 - $10 per square foot | * Kitchen
* Bathroom
* Entryway
* Fireplace |
Tile
Durable material, often with recycled content. | Look for locally manufactured tiles with high recycled content. | * Easy to clean
* Durable
* Often has recycled content | * High embodied energy (to fire tiles and produce cementitious materials)
* Prioritize local sources because of heaviness | $1 - $6 per square foot | * Kitchen
* Bathroom
* Entryway
* Fireplace |
Wood
Natural material; durable. | Look for Forest Stewardship Council-certified, salvaged or reclaimed wood. Ask for a chain-of-custody certification. Avoid laminated products with added formaldehyde. Look for sealers and cleaners that are environmentally benign and low-VOC emitting.
| * Renewable resource if from a sustainably managed forest
* Low embodied energy, particularly if harvested and produced locally | * Conventional forestry causes overharvesting and destruction of habitat
* Naturally occurring formaldehyde | $3 - $6 per square foot | * Bedroom
* Living room
* Family room
* Dining room
* Stairs
|