Here at B&B flooring, we believe in taking pride in our contribution to a cleaner planet by choosing flooring products that are recycled, locally manufactured or less dependent on oil. Furthermore, there is always a friendly member of our sales staff who is educated in the many aspects of eco-friendly flooring available to assist you.

When you choose to purchase your green flooring materials from B&B, you can rest assured knowing that you've not only made a contribution to a cleaner planet, but also that you've saved some green of your own in the process!

Ceramic Pros

Some are being made out of recycled material, both pre & post consumer • Some qualify for LEED credits for manufacturing distances • Many tile companies such as Dal-Tile are making great efforts to become as eco-friendly as possible • Bio-degrades well and some can be recycled to make new tile • Potentially long life span

Ceramic Cons

Raw material is not rapidly renewable • Many are shipped over long distances.

Natural Stone Pros

Tiles just have to be cut into pieces, not fired in a kiln • Has potentially long life span

Natural Stone Cons

Raw material not renewable • Some are taken from foreign countries with long shipping distances

Cork Pros

Made of rapidly renewable tree bark • Little to no waste of cork in production • Some are commercial rated longer lasting products • Can add to insulation, reducing energy • Hypoallergenic & biodegradable

Cork Cons

Long shipping distances, comes from Mediterranean and is then processed in Georgia

Laminate Pros

Some are made in the USA • Some use environmentally friendly coreboard

Laminate Cons

Intensive production process • Not made of rapidly renewable resources • Some of the material used is plastic • Non-Recyclable

Wool Pros

A rapidly renewable resource • Actually improves indoor air quality • Typically has twice life-span or more of synthetic • Though not recyclable it naturally decomposes without off gassing • Less intensive production process

Wool Cons

Shipped from New Zealand

Synthetic Pros

Some nylons can be made from and recycled back into carpet again. Other fibers can be made from recycled plastics or corn

Synthetic Cons

Raw materials still need to be broken down and processed into carpet fibers • Recycled plastics cannot be recycled twice and it can be difficult and costly to recycle a nylon carpet • All give off VOC • Intensive production process • Life cycle short in comparison to wool

Domestic Pros

Harvested in a way to promote a healthy forest so that new saplings have room to grow • Regionally harvested and milled so shipping distances are less • Some are FSC certified and are required to replant 6 trees for every one they harvest, along with other strict guidelines.

Domestic Cons

Not considered rapidly renewable

Bamboo Pros

Raw material is rapidly renewable • Solid bamboo harvested within 6-8 years can produce enough oxygen to off set the CO2 productin created in the manufacturing process

Bamboo Cons

Made in China, where the production process can not be monitored closely • Has to be shipped a great distance • Engineered Bamboo cannot produce enough oxygen to off set its CO2 production

Linoleum Pros

Made of all natural renewable resources and recycled materials • Most have 25 year warranty • Qualifies for LEED credits • Many of the manufacturing companies are striving to make their production process as energy efficient as possible

Linoleum Cons

Manufactured from further distances

Vinyl Pros

Some are being made with recycled content • Some have 20-25 year warranty

Vinyl Cons

Most have higher VOC than other products both during and after their life span • Raw materials are not rapidly renewable • Takes a very long time to decompose • Intensive Manufacturing process