Property - do-it-yourself

The most environmentally friendly option is obviously using the flooring you already have.
A room with bamboo floor. PA Photo/thinkstockphotos.A room with bamboo floor. PA Photo/thinkstockphotos.
A room with bamboo floor. PA Photo/thinkstockphotos.

Do you have concealed original floorboards or parquet flooring that can be sanded and varnished or painted? In old houses, there are sometimes hidden gems like original stone or tiled floors that haven’t been seen for years. They may need a little TLC, but they make a great feature, and restoring what’s there is a lot more eco than buying new flooring.

If you don’t have flooring you can restore, the next best thing is buying reclaimed period flooring from eBay or an architectural salvage yard. Putting period features back into an old property is a good way to add value and increase its appeal when you come to sell. Although reclaimed flooring sometimes costs more than new, it is reusing at its best.

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If you’d prefer a new wooden floor, bamboo is an eco choice, despite the fact that it’s mainly grown in Asia. While it’s similar to hardwood in many ways, bamboo has one big advantage - the plant takes just three to five years to reach maturity, a lot less than a typical tree.

When shopping for any new wooden flooring, look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo, which shows that the wood has been sustainably sourced - all B&Q wood is FSC certified.

One of the most environmentally friendly types of flooring (and the cosiest) is a wool carpet - making a wool carpet uses only about 10% of the energy used to produce a nylon one. Wool couldn’t be more sustainable, as sheep obviously regrow their fleeces once sheared.

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