But how about eco tiles? Recycled tiles are produced from waste from mines and factories. Don't let this fool you, though. They are as sturdy as a normal tile and can be used in the kitchen, bathroom or hallway... Or just where any tile would be used. When looking for flooring types and you want them to be as much environmentally friendly as possible you shouldn't limit yourself to only recycled materials. In this article we've summed all of your options when it comes to eco tiles, including the other solutions which are eco-friendly, look good and can be easily maintained.

Recycled Eco Tiles

As said, recycled tiles are as good as any conventional tile. Choosing the right type is also important though. The market has to offer many colours, textures, shapes and sizes but when it comes to material it all goes down to two choices - glass and ceramic. These ceramic tiles are made from recycled leftover material from the production of regular tiles. Manufacturing companies use between 50 and 100 percent of recycled material. Other companies use as much as 30 percent granite, marble or limestone debris in their production method. These debris and dust are left from the granite cutting operation. You can read more about this topic if interested in this article about granite and its uses at home.

Recycled glass tiles are produced using a similar method. Again, the amount of material varies between 30 and 100 percent, which come from the glass industry. As an addition to the good impact this process has on the environment, glass tiles have another aesthetic value. A tile made from reused glass brings clear light, an effect which is not achievable with conventional tiles.

Organic Eco Tiling - An Alternative to the Recycled Ones

Much like a recycled tile, an organic one can be both good for the environment while saving you money. With this part of the article we will look at some of the options you can choose from. Of course, this list is not full. Instead, it offers you the most widely spread and conventional choices you have at hand.

Cork

Cork is harvested from the cork tree by removing its outer layer. This method doesn't damage the tree permanently and the process is repeated every eight to twelve years. It is used for insulation and most commonly for wine stoppers. Because of that characteristic, cork is ideal as a flooring material. It has a little level of heat loss and is preferred in living rooms and bedrooms because it's a comfortable walking surface. The cork is flexible and it gets back in its original shape after stepping or heavy objects have been on top of it. Alternatives to the cork flooring are bamboo and coconut timber. These have other qualities.

Don't forget!

Cork is not suitable for bathrooms or outdoor areas where the humidity levels are high. That's because it absorbs moisture. There are finishes which are used to reduce this effect which don't always work as they're supposed to.

Natural Stone

Natural stone is mostly preferred because of the looks it brings. However, it does have a few features which makes it perfect in certain aspects. First and foremost - its durability. If properly installed and maintained (that is annual resealing of the grout) a floor of this type can last for decades. Paul's Tile Cleaning Melbourne - a company which offers expert tile and grout cleaning in Melbourne, recommend natural stone for one of its other characteristics - resistance to mildew and mould.

Don't forget!

Natural stone has bad thermal conductivity. In the summer it remains cold which will leave your home cool - a really handy feature. As you can guess, in the winter it will be cold too, which means additional heating will be required.

In Conclusion

Unfortunately, in many countries eco tiling and eco flooring is overpriced. However, an investment now will save a lot of funds throughout the years. It's all up to you, to save our environment!