Westchester County Green Flooring Trends
We’ve been getting more and more requests for Green flooring options, especially among our higher end customers. There are many ways to go green (or even greenish) with your flooring, but here are the top 5 trends.
Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
1. Converting from Carpet to Hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring is definitely in style. It looks and feels beautiful, it’s easy to clean, and it adds value to your home. In addition, hardwood flooring lasts a LONG time. Many solid hardwood floors can last 100+ years (vs. carpets which are typically replaced every 5-7 years). Carpet is petroleum based (and as oil prices increase so do carpet prices) vs. hardwood is a natural product – grown and manufactured in the US. And, many homeowners are leveraging the hardwood floors that are underneath their carpets. This is a wonderful way to improve your home’s value without wasting additional resources (and it will save you money vs. recarpeting.
2. Cork flooring. Cork floors are stylish and sustainable, and you can read more about how cork flooring is made and why it’s considered green here. We are getting more and more requests for cork, especially for kitchens. Customers are intrigued by all the varieties of cork that are now available. But, most importantly, they LOVE how it feels on your feet! It’s feels smooth/soft, it’s warm on your, and it’s easier on your feet.
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3. Bamboo flooring. Bamboo has been on the rise, the last 5 yrs. Not only are customers proactively asking about bamboo flooring, but they are also getting more sophisticated in their taste and knowledge. Many customers now ask me about strand woven bamboo which is much harder and more durable than the typical bamboo. Besides the fact that bamboo looks nice and tends to be less expensive than your typical hardwood, one of the other great benefits of bamboo is that it provides flexibility for installation – it can be nailed, glued or floated. It is the only solid product that can be glued to a cement floor…so it can be a much more economical option for Westchester apartments/co-ops/condos that do not have plywood subfloor. The engineered versions can also work in basements.
4. Wool carpets. My higher end customers, love wool carpets. They are natural, soft and last longer than the typical nylon or polyester carpets. And, for those in apartments where carpet is required, or just for those that want something warm and comfy on their bedroom floor, wool is a nice natural option. It’s more expensive than the typical nylon or polyester carpet, but it will definitely last longer, so in the long run, it will save money. It also tends to hold up a bit better with stains.
5. Linoleum flooring rather than vinyl. Many customers get vinyl and linoleum confused. Vinyl is petroleum based, but linoleum is made with linseed oil and it is a green product. It’s thicker than vinyl and tends to last longer. It also comes in some fun colors. Linoleum tends to cost more than most vinyls, but it will usually last longer. Linoleum comes in sheets and tiles, and you can get creative with the pattern
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Complementary products that will prolong the life of your hardwood floors
- Bona hardwood floor cleaner
- Felt pads to protect floors
- Office chair mat
- Doggie Socks
Green Flooring Trends for Westchester NY
More and more buyers are asking me about Green construction. I can certainly learn a lot from your posts, Debbie. This is great! Thanks
Beth – Thank you so much and I’m glad you are seeing the same trends.
Green Flooring is definitely a big growing trend here in the Pacific NW.
Houses being built or remodeled with green products and energy efficient methods are selling faster and for more money than their non-green competition.
These days, more and more people are concerned about their health and the health of their family as well as the health of their bottom line when it comes to utility and product expenses.
If you have a client that is wavering between a non-green product versus a green product on price alone, it’s very important to stress the longevity of these more sustainable options. Since they tend to last a lot longer, the cost is spread out over time and is less expensive over the long run (like your wool carpet example from blog). So ultimately, you actually spend less and live healthier. Win-Win.
Heidi – I’m so glad to hear that and some great builds. Yes, for some of the green flooring products such as wool, they do last longer, so in the long run that saves money and resources. Some of the other items do not follow that principle, so you need to look at it on a case by case basis.