You don’t have to feel constrained by popular basement flooring options like carpet or vinyl. Our guide will introduce you to a variety of modern alternatives that are well-suited to your basement’s humidity and your specific performance needs.
6 Eco-Friendly Flooring Options That’ll Have You Stepping in a Green Direction
Keeping the planet green can be taken in stride
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Bamboo flooring grows fast and offers an attractive hardwood-like appearance, making it a sustainable and affordable choice for your eco-friendly flooring project.
Cork flooring costs as little as $3 per square foot, while bamboo and concrete start around $2 per square foot, with stone tile ranging $7 to $14 per square foot.
Natural linoleum flooring is made from linseed oil, pine resin, sawdust, and ground cork, creating a durable surface that comes in various styles and designs.
Hiring a local flooring company provides expert guidance on material selection and ensures professional installation, especially for hardwood and stone tile that require precise fitting.
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From ditching bottled water to driving a hybrid, many of us have increased our focus on environmentally friendly habits. However, it’s easy to overlook the importance of choosing eco-friendly flooring. After all, not everyone pays close attention to what they walk on every day. If you want to expand your “green” horizons with every step, consider one of our favorite choices for eco-friendly flooring options.
1. Cork Flooring
Photo: OlgaKhorkova / Adobe Stock
Yes, we’re talking about that cork—the one that’s keeping your wine nice and fresh. Thanks to its soft feel underfoot, noise-dampening qualities, and affordability, cork flooring has been gaining popularity. This is especially true for homes with young kids, as cork may help reduce the overall noise level in a home. However, that same softness and absorbency does leave it vulnerable to scratching and fading.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable—may cost as little as $3 per square foot | More susceptible to scratches and dents |
| Comfortable underfoot | Unique look that doesn’t work with all aesthetics |
| Click-together cork planks are an easy DIY project | Some types of cork flooring require professional installation |
| May absorb some sound | May fade when exposed to sunlight |
Best for: DIYers looking for an affordable flooring option or those looking for a soft and sound-absorbent floor
2. Hardwood
Photo: bmak / Adobe Stock
It might seem like cutting down trees (which must be done, unsurprisingly, to make hardwood floors) would be anything but sustainable. However, hardwood flooring can be more sustainable than many alternative options. Dovetail Partners—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation—published a 2019 Consuming Responsibly Report that showed that hardwood flooring had the lowest global warming and ozone depletion potential compared to vinyl tile, ceramic flooring, and nylon carpet.
Hardwood flooring lasts a very long time—up to 100 years (and sometimes even longer) with proper maintenance. This means that you won’t have to replace your floor (and contribute to negative environmental effects) for a very long time if you choose this material. Plus, hardwood is recyclable, and many hardwood flooring manufacturers have well-kept groves of regularly replenished hardwood varieties, planting new trees to compensate for the ones they harvest.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Striking look that matches many aesthetics | More expensive than some options |
| Easy day-to-day maintenance | Must refinish every three to 10 years |
| Scraps are recyclable | Susceptible to termite damage |
Best for: Those with a higher flooring budget who prefer a classic look
3. Bamboo
Photo: jhorrocks / E+ / Getty Images
Fun fact: In the right conditions, bamboo can grow nearly 3 feet in a single day, or about 1.5 inches per hour. That translates to serious sustainability when it comes to flooring (as well as other home goods bamboo is being used for these days, including everything from textiles to toilet paper).
Furthermore, bamboo is attractive, offering an appearance similar to hardwood, and affordable, with costs as low as $2 per square foot in some instances. However, it may be more susceptible to water damage than other hard flooring choices, and some of the internationally manufactured flooring options may be made with VOCs and formaldehyde. Always be sure you’re buying from a reputable vendor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Attractive appearance | Susceptible to water damage and damage from pet claws |
| Affordable | International production may increase carbon footprint with shipping |
| Easy to clean and doesn’t require sealant | Only offered in a few colors and designs |
Best for: The modern homeowner with an appreciation for budget-friendly yet chic design
4. Concrete
Photo: Carlina Teteris / Moment / Getty Images
Is concrete flooring eco-friendly? Fortunately, the answer is yes. In some instances, concrete is made with recycled materials and waste byproducts, which means fewer raw materials are consumed to produce it. Concrete itself can also be recycled, though its life span is so long and its durability so substantial that most homeowners won’t need to worry about it. Of course, concrete flooring is as hard as, well, concrete, which means it may not be the comfiest option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mold- and pest-resistant | Extremely hard and cold underfoot |
| Affordable, with costs as low as $2 per square foot | Loud when struck by shoes or other objects |
| Can easily pair with radiant heat sources and provide good insulation | Limited design choices available |
Best for: High-traffic areas and those who can handle harder-than-average flooring
5. Stone Tiles
Photo: bilanol / Adobe Stock
When it comes to natural and easy-to-clean, stone tile is hard to beat. Once a pro lays and grouts it, this flooring material requires little intervention. You can easily clean it using industrial-strength cleaners, water, and good ol’ elbow grease. Of course, stone tile isn’t a soft material by any means, and it may be too hard underfoot for some households. It can also be an expensive option per square foot compared to some others.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely durable and long-lasting | Hard underfoot |
| Easy to clean and water-resistant | Loud when struck by shoes or other objects |
| Many different colors and styles to choose from | More expensive—costs $7 to $14 per square foot for a mid-range option |
Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas that routinely see a lot of moisture
6. Natural Linoleum
Photo: solarisimages / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
It’s true: Even natural linoleum is a human-made product. There’s no such thing as a “linoleum plant” from which linoleum tiles are harvested. But natural linoleum, which is sold under a lot of different names, including Marmoleum, is made with natural materials like linseed oil, pine resin, sawdust, and ground cork, much of which can be recycled (therefore reducing the overall carbon footprint of each tile).
Linoleum flooring is highly durable and comes in a wide variety of styles and designs. Some linoleum products even look like wood or natural tiles. They are, however, susceptible to water damage, and you’ll have to regularly seal them or keep a pro on standby to do it for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable—costs as low as $2 per square foot | Can be damaged by humidity or excessive moisture |
| Many designs and styles to choose from | Must be routinely sealed every couple of years |
| Durable and resistant to scratches and marks | May yellow with age |
Best for: People who want the look of hardwood at a lower cost and don’t mind a bit of upkeep
Eco-Friendly Flooring: DIY vs. Professional Installation
Ready to put your best foot forward? While some flooring materials, like cork, lend themselves to DIY (for experienced homeowners), others, like hardwood, require a professional touch. Going with a pro is always a safe choice because it ensures a professional finish and no back-breaking labor on your part. In either case, if you have questions or are ready to get started on your flooring replacement project, your local flooring company is here to help.
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Flooring services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.4★ avg. • 41 total reviews
- Sarah E.
Joseph did a great job with the staircase and trim. Timely and efficient, clear communication about the work, very fair pricing. For the stairs in particular, done very skillfully in an old house (1893) in a tight spiral, and very creative with how to do the handrail. Did a nice job with...
Vouis Trim Carpentry L.L.C. - Jena P.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf Floors - Gina M.
Finished Basements Plus was wonderful from beginning to end! First, they came out quickly for an estimate. I had 4 estimates and theirs was by far the best. (2 of the estimates were more than $20K higher than for the exact same work). Beyond their fair pricing, the work was excellent. They...
Finished Basements Plus Inc. - Jeanann S.
Very professional, knowledgeable and helpful! Completed the install on time and as expected.
Ward's Services - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC - Grace G.
Excellent, Prompt, Courteous Service!!! They were super friendly and quite personable. I felt very comfortable with the gentlemen that did the installation. They installed it exactly where I asked them to and they did an excellent job!! I loved their service so much.
Tether House - David E.
Window Depot did an amazing job installing the windows in my basement! The process from start to finish was by far more than what I expected. I would highly recommend Window Depot if you want professionalism from the the consultation to the installation. Dont settle for mediocre when you can...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Tom B.
AFS was excellent from start to finish. Jess, the sales associate, was fantastic...very knowledgeable and very professional. The installation crew was excellent. I couldn't be more pleased with the process. Best of all, my new floor looks fantastic!
America's Floor Source - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Jake H.
Did an amazing job transforming my yard. Also installed sod in places, would recommend to everyone.
Cardinal Landscaping & Construction LLC
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