Eco-friendly floors

Sleek: Bamboo floor at an office in Hyderabad.

Looking out for options to make the flooring of a residence look natural? If yes, eco-friendly flooring can be the answer.

According to Sudeep Srinivas, an architect in Bangalore, in an eco-friendly flooring, the materials used for the flooring are environment-friendly. 

These are usually natural materials that are not processed in industries. These include bamboo, cork, stone and even reclaimed and sustainable wood. Materials such as glass and metal tiles are also considered eco-friendly if they are recycled.

Bamboo floors, where the raw material comes from the bamboo plant, are hard and durable. 

These are easy to clean, sustainable and attractive. However, the choice of colours is limited. Bamboo flooring is rarely done in India due to lack of adequate number of skilled workers. It is mostly done in beach houses and farm houses. The flooring is best in places where the climate is moderate, says Ganesh Kumar of Metaskapes, Chennai.

In India, it is a premium product for those who care for aesthetics and ethnic look. The bamboo is available in the North-East region of the country and also imported. According to Mr. Ganesh, the cost of bamboo flooring is comparable to the other floorings.

In the case of cork flooring, it is made out of the bark of cork oak tree. It is durable, gives a natural look to the house and is also scratch-resistant. However, cork floors require high maintenance and they are not water- resistant.

Floors made out of recycled materials such as glass are economical and eco-friendly. “Glass is used both in the exteriors and interiors but it is better used in the interiors. Toughened glass is a premium product in the market.

The glass goes through several processes like edging, frosting and staining. The glass has to be laid by skilled workers. Use of glass is gaining popularity in India. This is because of the transparency, depth and the superior glossiness. People go in for the plain and stained glass in India. The laying of glass requires skilled workers”, says Senthil K C Kumar of How Solutions, Chennai.

Granite, marble, slate, sandstone and limestones are the types of stones used for stone flooring. According to T.R.V Sundar of Architectural Granite and Marble, “People in India go in more by budget and uniformity.

Most of them are not aware of the various colours available. There are almost 155 colours of granite available in India.” Stone floorings are natural and durable. “They also provide livelihood to many, from the quarrying of these stones to laying.” Covered with “celesta” the flooring has a life of 10 years even if they are not maintained.

Rammed earth flooring, which is a mix of mud and clay, is another type that is eco-friendly.

“It is a traditional type of flooring, which if done properly gives the floor a beautiful finish, design and pattern. 

It is done mostly in places where people walk a lot like hotels. Rammed earth flooring is also cost - effective in the case of residential houses” says Mr. Ganesh.

Speaking on the advantages and disadvantages of eco friendly flooring Mr. Srinivas says that the major advantage of using eco-friendly materials for flooring is that these keep the place cool and also give a natural look. Price of the eco-friendly materials is also low.

“The use of eco-friendly materials is the sensible and sensitive thing to do at a time when global warming and green house effects are the burning topics.”

Source  :NIKHITA JOSE  ,The Hindu,Coimbatore,May 22,2010