Home improvement projects can create a big dent on your wallet and on the environment. The materials you use to improve your homes can have high levels of VOCs or volatile organic compounds. The good news is that there are green design innovators and they can help you avoid environmental pitfalls.
According to the EPA, VOCs can cause numerous problems such as nose and throat irritation, frequent headaches, nausea, liver and kidney damage, or worse, problems with the central nervous system. So, it’s best to avoid them at all costs.
If you’re looking for floor tiles to replace your old ones, it’s actually possible to install new ones made from resources that were supposed to be discarded, such as old leather belts or other flooring remnants. Things like glass, metal, plastic, and stones can also be recycled to create new tiles. So, whatever type of material or design you’re going for, there are a lot of options availablethat are eco-friendly.
A British Company called Ting London turns used leather belts to create a mosaic leather floor with the use of water-based glue along with beautiful patterns. While GreenFloors, a company based in Virginia has a line that uses 100% recycled leather, including bamboo flooring and natural fiber carpets.
Although recycled products are a great way to re-use old materials, you still have to take note of the percentage of recycled content that goes to your new tiles. Pay attention to how much post- consumer content was used to make your tiles.
DIY and order online.
You may also want to opt for purchasing the tiles online if you don’t have access to recycled products. You can DIY them and install based on the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can go to your local flooring store and pick up items of your desired material and create a repurposed pattern of your choice.
Find an option that works with the overall design.
It’s easy to go overboard when you’re choosing the type of flooring. You have to take note of the overall aesthetic of a room before you start decorating. Once you have decided on the material that looks right for you, find an eco-friendly version that fits the mold perfectly. A lot of people make the mistake of
The eco-friendly route doesn’t just stop there. Indoor air pollution is possible because the
emission of VOCs in home improvement projects can be commonly found in finishes, paints and
even glues. So, whenever you’re shopping for flooring adhesives, it’s best to look for the Green
Label Plus seal from the Carpet and Rug Institute.
choosing an eco-friendly material as the first step, then eventually realizes that it doesn’t work well with the rest of the aesthetic design.