Shown is the LEED Silver Career and Technology Education Center in Newark, Ohio. The project team specified nearly 11,000 square yards of Forbo Marmoleum in this facility. Photo by Nicole Dixon Photography.

Welcome to the 6th annual Sustainable Flooring section. When asked, “Which environmentally considerate or green products do you specify, recommend or purchase,” 68 percent of ED+C readers responded “Carpeting” and 67 percent chose “Flooring other than carpet.” These product categories ranked higher than any other building product (even lighting, roofing, paint and insulation), according to our Green Building Industry Awareness Study, November 2007.

Does that mean it is easy to choose green flooring? There are plenty of promising products. But the question remains, which is the greenest? Often, it depends on the application and installation. For example, a residential family room requires a different set of specifications than a hospital or school seeking LEED certification.

When it’s time to specify a “green” floor, here are some environmental options:

• Bamboo

• Bio-based Product

• Carpet (broadloom or tile)

• Ceramic Tile

• Certified Wood

• Concrete

• Cork

• Engineered Wood

• Laminate

• Linoleum

• Reclaimed Wood

• Rubber

• Terrazzo (recycled glass)

• Vinyl

• Raised /Access Flooring

• Other (which might include glass, quartz, stabilized earth)


So, how do you make the greenest decision? Consider: Does the product have a “label,” such as the Green Label Plus the Carpet and Rug Insitute; or is it certified (for recycled content or low emissions) by a reputable third-party certification system like GREENGUARD, Scientific Certification Systems, Green Seal, Forest Stewardship Council or Sustainable Forestry Initiative? What is the product’s life cycle? How is it maintained; how is it installed (think about adhesives, sealants, underlayment, padding/cushion, etc.)?

In this issue, we explore the latest news, new products and green projects. Be sure to explore the myriad choices and environmental attributes when specifying your next sustainable floor.

—The Editors.