Many of us have recently become aware for the need to be more conscious of our environment and the need to protect it. With this movement, more options have become available for home owners who want to do their share in preserving our planet. Adding a “green” kitchen floor to your home is a way you can help.

If you are building or remodeling your home, you may want to consider “Going Green”. Using materials for your kitchen floor that aren’t harmful to your family or the environment is a step in the right direction.

Let’s take a look at some of the Eco Friendly flooring options that are currently available to consumers:

Hardwood Kitchen Floor

Solid hardwood floors are beautiful and area available in a number of types, which each have their own look. Some of the hardwood floors that you can choose from are: oak (red and white), maple, cherry, hickory and a number of others.

Hardwood floors have been around for centuries, but the selection on the market today is larger than ever.

Some of the benefits of installing hardwood flooring in your home are:

• Durable and long lasting
• Can be refinished over and over again if you choose to change the stain color
• Will add value to your home

Cork Kitchen Floor

Cork is a great alternative to using hard wood for your flooring.

Cork is created out of the bark of a tree and then pressed into boards that are used for flooring. There are no actual trees destroyed or cut down in the process. The bark is removed and grows back fairly quick, so it can be harvested again and again.

Some of the benefits of installing cork flooring in your home are:

• Absorbs sound, creating a more peaceful environment
• Very comfortable to stand and walk on, great for families with little ones who are crawling
• Available in many styles and colors

Bamboo Kitchen Floor

Another popular option to hard wood, is bamboo flooring.

Bamboo is a natural material, which is actually considered a hard type of grass. It takes approximately five to seven years for the plant to reach the full level of hardness. After that time it is ready to be turned into flooring.

Some of the benefits of installing bamboo flooring in your home are:

• Less expensive than hardwood
• Very durable and can withstand high traffic areas
• Wide variety of styles and colors available

Be sure to investigate the source of the bamboo before you purchase it. Many bamboo floors from China are treated with formaldehyde, which can be a health risk and a danger to the environment.

Ceramic Tile Kitchen Floor

Ceramic tiles are made of all natural clay minerals that are combined and fired in an oven to create the hardness required for flooring. This material is a very popular choice and looks stunning in any kitchen.

Some of the benefits of installing ceramic tile in your home are:

• Easy clean up, wipes clean without staining
• Very durable, won’t scratch or dent
• Available in a wide variety of sizes, textures, styles and colors

Conclusion

Environmentally friendly flooring is attractive, functional, and you can use it in any room of the house.

By choosing to go green, you will not only be beautifying your home, but you will be helping our planet as well.

With the number of options available, you are sure to find a kitchen floor that will suit your taste and budget. Be sure to take your family’s daily lifestyle into consideration when making your choice.

If you have questions, on what type of flooring that would be best for your home, consult an experienced professional who can guide you in the right direction.

For more interesting reading, please check out: How To Add Interest To Your Kitchen’s Ceiling and How To Add Unique Texture To Your New Kitchen.