Linoleum is not the same thing as vinyl, though both are installed as sheets. Vinyl is made from synthetic materials while linoleum is made from natural materials: felt, burlap or canvas coated with linseed oil, cork or wood dust and resins.
Bamboo, a grass that looks like wood flooring and grows rapidly, becomes large enough to harvest in three to six years. Its rapid growth inherently makes it a much sustainable product than most hardwood species. It can be installed the same way as hardwood flooring and is similarly dent resistant.
CONS: No third-party organization monitors environmental regulations and worker safety. The resins used to laminate it often contain urea formaldehyde that can offgas in heat or humidity.
Courtesy of Ann Sacks
Concrete has gained popularity thanks to decorative techniques such as staining, coloring, stamping, scoring and sealing that make it customizable and attractive. Highly durable, concrete is easy to clean and maintain.
CONS: Hard on the feet and knees; a little cold, too.
Stone is durable like concrete and found in nature like wood. Cut into tiles and polished or honed, travertine or granite makes a beautiful surface. Use a low-VOC sealant.
CONS: It is not a renewable resource.
Tile—like ceramic and glass tiles—can be made with recycled content such as old light bulbs, bottles and porcelain fixtures. Ceramic tile is durable and biodegradable. Use low-VOC adhesives.
Wood is a naturally found material, but beware of harmful logging practices that destroy old growth forests and damage ecosystems. Look for wood with FSC certification.
Also consider salvaged or reclaimed wood—retrieved from river bottoms or taken from old barns or train tracks, for example—for a vintage look. Use low-VOC sealants and water-based finishes.
CONS: Other third-party certification standards are not as stringent as FSC. Some species—African teak, Brazilian rosewood and Caribbean mahogany, for example—are endangered.
Cork flooring is made from the bark of the cork tree. Removing the bark does not hurt the tree, and the bark renews every seven to 10 years. It is soft under foot and helps reduce noise.
CONS: Some cork flooring has a PVC backing; look for all-natural cork.
Virgin rubber (made from tree sap) or recycled rubber can be made into tiles or sheets for use as flooring. Besides being durable, it is soft under foot and provides a non-skid surface.
CONS: Only slight off-gassing—but it can be smelly.
