Eco-Friendly Wooden Floor Options That Get Mike Holmes' Stamp Of Approval

Sustainability is in and here to stay, even when it comes to your wooden floors. During processing, some wood flooring options have harmful chemicals, like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals can cause severe health conditions for the very young, the very old, and those who are immunocompromised or have respiratory issues. Some of these wood products are even processed unethically, killing or damaging trees and surrounding ecosystems. That is why many people are switching over to eco-friendly wooden floor options — and we've learned the ones that have HGTV host and Canadian contractor Mike Holmes' stamp of approval. 

Before starting, keep in mind Holmes' advice to avoid installing hardwood floors in areas with a lot of moisture, like entryways, bathrooms, and kitchens. When you're ready to start shopping for eco-friendly wooden floors, you will find many options to choose from. In fact, it may become overwhelming with the amount of brands, types, and colors. To narrow down your search, Mike Holmes suggests looking for reclaimed wood, or items with certifications from organizations like Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and American Tree Farm System (ATFS). These organizations have already done all the legwork, making your trip to the store a whole lot easier.

Without certifications from reputable forestry nonprofits like FSC, manufacturers may slip in harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, or acetone in their wood products as well as use companies who unethically destroy forests and other areas for lumber. While these toxins help bind floors or give off a satin finish, it can potentially pose serious health problems like sinus irritation, vomiting, headaches, and even cancer. The fastest way to know that the wood flooring you want is eco-friendly is to look for a low-VOC or VOC-free label. If you're still concerned, especially if you go with low-VOC wood planks, there are great budget-friendly air purifiers that will help remove toxins released from flooring. Look for purifiers that use activated carbon, as this is most effective for VOCs.

Before forestry organization regulations, the wood manufacturing industry did whatever it took to cheaply produce enough lumber for consumers' needs. However, in the process, natural habitats and forests were destroyed, killing and damaging many ecosystems and climates. To help protect forests and environments around the globe, FSC and numerous other nonprofits have made it their mission to reduce the issues of deforestation and climate change. When you choose a eco-friendly FSC-certified product, you are getting wood boards without toxic fillers, lowering your carbon footprint, and helping reduce complete forest harvesting.

Among the other flooring tips that Mike Holmes swears by, he also says it's a great move for eco-friendly consumers to consider materials like reclaimed wood and salvaged wood. When it comes to these two sustainable choices, a common misconception people have is that reclaimed and salvaged wood are the same. The best way to remember the difference is that reclaimed wood has been used in past construction projects while salvaged wood has been saved and never used in construction. During the tear down of buildings and structures, wood is collected and recycled into reclaimed wood planks, which are perfect for homeowners looking for an environmentally friendly option. Salvaged, remilled wood from old warehouses are one of Holmes' go-to green picks.

While the name almost implies a treasure hunt when looking for reclaimed or salvaged wood, your local home improvement or flooring store will have tons of options available, including Holmes' (and many other contractors') favorites – barn wood floors. Don't like the look of reclaimed or salvaged wood? No big deal since there are a ton of other eco-friendly picks including, palm, cork, bamboo, and oak flooring.