Green Flooring Put to The Test

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Stripped from cork oak trees, which are then given up to nine years to recover, cork is a renewable resource and is naturally mold- and mildew-resistant. Cork also provides a softer surface than hardwood, making your feet and joints happier. It's naturally resistant to fire and insects, and acts as a thermal and acoustic insulator, making it a great option for those who like carpets but aim for a more allergen friendly environment.

The only downside, Cohen says, is its lack of durability. He's noticed a few scratches on his own flooring and his dog-owning customers find it hard to maintain a fresh look. He had little trouble dealing with the problem though, because the floor is installed in square blocks, which are held together by a clickable tongue and groove system. If an area gets damaged, Cohen simply removes the block and replaces it with a fresh piece.

A number of suppliers offer cork in many different forms, from the wood look-a-like at Natural Cork to colorful pallets from Globus Cork. Both varieties have low-VOC finshes: Globus Cork's is water-based and solvent-free, while Natural Cork's is U.V.-cured acrylic (Globus flooring, $6.85-9.00/sq. ft,; corkfloor.com; Natural Cork, $3.79-7.49/sq. ft.; greenbuildingsupply.com).

Linoleum
While conventional linoleum is laden with VOCs, Marmoleum (forbo-flooring.com) is a natural alternative made of linseed oil, rosin, sawdust, wood flour, limestone and jute, making it truly green and biodegradable ($4.88 to $6.89/sq. ft.; greenbuildingsupply.com).

Meredith Gonzales, owner of the eco-friendly goods store Your Home Your World in Concord, NH, says it's a popular product because of its ease to install (also a clickable floating floor). It's also anti-bacterial, fade- and fire-resistant and easy to clean, and provides a warm feel to the room and underfoot. Gonzales notes it's fun to work with, coming in a range of colors and an unlimited number of design options for any room. And because of its ability to repel dust, it's especially good for asthma sufferers.

Tiles
For the bathroom and kitchen, where moisture buildup and durability are concerns, I looked into ceramic tiles. Ceramic tile manufacturing is plagued by over-excavation from mining, toxic emissions and erosion concerns. To avoid these environmental woes, some companies are turning to pre- and post-consumer materials as better alternatives.
I found two relatively inexpensive options, both comprised of recycled glass in combination with a clay mixture.