Why Wood Floors Are More Sustainable Than Other Building Materials
Ua Floors, as a global supplier of engineered hardwood flooring supplies, utilizes sustainable practices in its manufacturing process of hardwood flooring. Why? It’s simply because while there are many different materials available in the production of flooring products, wood offers a sustainable choice in the flooring industry.
On the Sustainability of Hardwood Floors
The most popular benefits of hardwood flooring include style and durability, but sustainability is another benefit that needs to be highlighted. When it comes to your home’s flooring, wood enables you to enjoy a visually appealing option that is also environmentally friendly. Unlike other types of flooring materials, wood is the raw material that keeps on giving.
In most hardwood forests, like in the U.S., trees are growing twice as fast as they are harvested in order to manufacture hardwood flooring products. Depending on the wood species, it typically takes a hardwood tree around 40 to 60 years to mature, and it is worth noting how hardwood flooring can last for more than a lifetime, especially when they’re well taken care of.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) classifies wood flooring as a carbon neutral product as well, primarily because wood products, such as engineered hardwood floors, cabinets, shelves, and the like are known to store carbon. This further adds to hardwood floors’ advantage as a flooring option.
Here are the factors that qualify hardwood flooring as a sustainable material:
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Harvesting process
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Manufacturing process
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Durability and longevity
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Impact on environment (air quality and climate change)
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Reusability
Harvesting process
In terms of sustainability, the harvesting process is essential in the consideration of wood as a flooring product. The hardwood flooring manufacturing process starts with sourcing lumber from sustainably managed forests. The lumber is then cut into specific dimensions and thicknesses that are best suited for hardwood flooring products.
By contrast, some other types of flooring, such as vinyl and laminate, are made from recycled materials. While this is a sustainable practice, it’s not always the most environmentally friendly option. For example, vinyl flooring can contain harmful chemicals and additives that pollute the air when the flooring is installed or removed.
There are government regulations that have been set in place to ensure that the harvesting and replanting of hardwood trees continue, so as to maintain their sustainability. For instance, an average of 1.66 cubic feet is planted for every cubic foot of wood harvested.
Manufacturing process
The manufacturing process of hardwood flooring is also a critical factor to consider in regard to sustainability. For one, the process of manufacturing hardwood flooring does not use any harmful chemicals or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). In addition, the waste generated from manufacturing hardwood flooring is minimal and can be recycled into composite materials.
Durability and longevity
Hardwood flooring is one of the most durable and longest-lasting flooring options on the market. With proper care and maintenance, a hardwood floor can last for generations. Laminate and vinyl flooring, while being more affordable options, are not as durable and tend to wear out more quickly than hardwood flooring.
Impact on the environment (air quality and climate change)
When it comes to the environmental impact of flooring, hardwood flooring is one of the most sustainable options available. For instance, unlike other types of flooring, wood does not release harmful VOCs into the air. In fact, the air quality in a room with wood floors is often better than in a room with other types of flooring. Research done by the Environmental Protection Agency cites how wood flooring improves the overall quality of air in a residential space.
Wood flooring also contributes to climate change in a positive way. The carbon that is stored in wood products offsets emissions that are created when other flooring materials are manufactured.
Reusability
Another important factor to consider when it comes to the sustainability of hardwood flooring is its reusability. When hardwood floors reach the end of their lifespan, they can be recycled and used in other flooring products. This reduces the amount of waste that is generated from the manufacturing process and helps to conserve natural resources.
Ua Floors’ Effort to Promote Sustainable Practices
As a global supplier of hardwood flooring supplies, not only are we focused on providing consumers with beautiful and high-quality wood flooring, but we are also dedicated to going green by making the world a better and healthier place to live in.
Here are some of Ua Floors’ efforts in the manufacturing of sustainable wood flooring products:
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The FSC Certificate means that Ua Floors’ products and services have been assessed and certified to deliver according to industry standards.
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Ua Floors recycles and reuses reclaimed wood through products such as Reclaimed Heart Pine.
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Wood waste and other scrap materials are recycled into whole new products that are currently exclusive in Taiwan, but should you be interested, feel free to send us a message expressing your desire to purchase.
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Sawdust is recycled into organic fertilizer and is returned to nature.
Ua Floors is Your Provider of Sustainable Wood Flooring Products
Given these factors, the sustainability that wood flooring offers makes it a significant option to consider if you want your home, office, or commercial space to look good and feel good. The importance of using sustainable and wood-based products like hardwood flooring helps mitigate climate change – a serious problem that can impact the earth.
Ua Floors is committed to taking great care in ensuring that all our hardwoods are legally sourced from certified green forests. For more info about our sustainability measures, visit our page on “Ua Goes Green.”
For orders or inquiries, send us a message today.