Tile Alternatives

Q: I have a quick question. I’m interested in reflooring all of our downstairs – living, dining, kitchen, half-bath and laundry area. I am very interested in cork for most of the areas. What is a good, eco-green, flooring option for the laundry and half-bath other than tile? I just don’t like cold, hard tile.
Melisa L.
A: When it comes to an eco-friendly choice for flooring, Cork really is the top choice. You can look into using the same Cork in the half-bath and laundry room as long as you follow some simple precautions. Since we go by the philosophy of wood and water don’t mix, avoid standing water at all costs. Since the bathroom is only a half, this will be great as there is little likeliness for water getting on the flooring, but should you have any ensure to clean it up asap.
With your laundry room, just ensure to not leave any wet clothing on the floor. If this is something that can not be avoided, you could try looking into vinyl tile. Although the tile will be a bit colder than cork, it won’t be like stone or porcelain tile.
When installing the floor in these areas, just ensure to take your time and you may want to look into getting a site finish to ensure some additional protection.