Building and remodeling with green design principles in mind will help reduce the impact of manufacturing processes and make for healthier interior environments. Flooring materials are one area which has received a lot of attention from green design proponents, and there are a growing number of green flooring options available.

Laminate Flooring

In order to reduce the number of trees cut down for floor planks, many green builders recommend easy-to-install laminate flooring. This synthetic wood-like invention is actually a layered paper product which is overlaid with an image of wood grain, and then sealed with a tough translucent coating. Look for products with low VOC emissions to reduce the volatile organic compounds released into the room.

Laminate flooring was an innovation made by Pergo, but there are now several competing manufacturers including Armstrong, Dupont, and Mannington. The original Pergo flooring is a top selling laminate brand, and they continue to be innovators in emerging designs and technologies for laminate flooring. Pergo flooring can be installed in almost any room, except those with a lot of moisture such as bathrooms. For those with real wood in mind, Pergo flooring makes an engineered hardwood product which features pre-finished wood on top of a plywood base.

Garage Flooring

The garage is an area that requires a hard-wearing, easily cleanable floor surface. Some green builders choose to simply stain or paint concrete garage flooring, in order to greatly reduce the need for additional building materials.

If a different design is desired, green designers often turn to rubber flooring products. As a highly versatile garage flooring product, it is available as rubber tiles as well as sheet rubber. Rubber flooring is safe when wet, does not skid, and absorbs sound. For the ultimate green garage flooring, check out Atmosphere recycled rubber flooring which combines recycled tire rubber with various colors of rubber granules. Rubber flooring is also great for stair treads, kitchens, bathrooms, kids' rooms, and commercial settings.

Kitchen Flooring

The kitchen offers a chance to use a variety of green design ideas - especially for floor surfaces. Green kitchen flooring options include laminate, cork tile, and linoleum. If laminate flooring is chosen, make sure that the finish is very durable so that it can withstand thorough cleanings. Cork tile is a green kitchen flooring option which is made from the renewable bark of the cork tree. Not only is it comfortable underfoot, cork flooring is also easy to maintain when it is coated with vinyl or polyurethane. Linoleum is a true green flooring option because it is made from linseed oil and other natural materials. Forbo manufactures stylish marbleized linoleum flooring called Marmoleum which expands the design and color options of this green product.