Is een houten vloer duurzaam?

Datum: 06 oktober 2022
Leestijd: 4 minuten
Auteur: Uipkes Houten Vloeren

Wooden floors are sustainable, provided the wood comes from sustainably managed forests and is of high quality. You can therefore view sustainability from two perspectives: origin of the wood and lifespan of the wood. In this article we tell you what you should pay attention to if you want to buy a sustainable wooden floor.

Bezoek de showroom

Sustainable wooden floors and origin of wood

Deforestation is a global problem. According to the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) almost half of all original forests disappeared. The more forests are cut down, the more CO2 is released. This not only has consequences for global warming, but also for animals that see their habitat disappear.

To combat this problem, the origin of the wood used to make wooden floors is important. The wood must come from sustainably managed forests.

In practice, sustainable forest management means that only trees are cut down that can really be used to make a wooden floor, for example. In addition, for every tree that is felled, a new tree is planted or the vacated soil is taken up by seedlings.

To check whether the wooden floor you are looking at is made of sustainable wood, you can look for quality marks, among other things. For example, the FSC quality mark.

Inspiratie & Informatie

Sustainable wooden floors and longevity

If you start looking into wooden floors, you will soon notice that the prices of providers can vary considerably. The price differences often have to do with the quality of the wooden floor.

Quality differences occur, for example, with engineered wood flooring, the most sold type of wooden floor. Engineered wood flooringis a layered floor where only the top layer is made of solid wood.

With cheap and unsustainably produced engineered wooden floors, the underlay is often made of transverse wooden slats. This creates a less stable and less strong floor. In addition, the top layer is usually made of sapwood instead of heartwood.

Sapwood is the part of the tree trunk that is between the bark and the core of the tree. Because sapwood is softer than heartwood, it limits the lifespan of a wooden floor. In addition, sapwood often has less beautiful wood grains than heartwood. You can see that in your floor.

  • De houten vloeren van Uipkes komen uit duurzaam beheerde bossen, hierdoor kunnen vele generaties genieten van de vloeren

Adviesgesprek bij jou thuis?

Wooden floors versus other types of floors

Unlike other types of floors, such as PVC floors, wooden floors are made from a renewable resource. After all, by planting trees we can continue to produce wood. In addition, a tree stores CO2 and a wooden floor can last a lifetime, which is good for the environment.

Finally, wood is a natural product, so there are no health risks if you place it in your home. A wooden floor therefore offers many advantages compared to other types of floors and is an environmentally friendly choice.

A sustainable wooden floor from Uipkes

Uipkes wooden floors are made from wood that demonstrably comes from sustainably managed European forests. In addition, we set high quality standards for our floors.

For example, the underlay of our engineered wood flooring is made of cross-glued waterproof birch plywood. This ensures that the wooden floor is stable, shrinkage and expansion of the wood is kept to a minimum and the wooden floor suitable for underfloor heating.

The top layer of our engineered wooden floors is made of solid heartwood, which means the floor wears out less quickly and reduces the risk of damage.

Want to know more?

Would you like to know more about our sustainable wooden floors or would you like to get inspiration for your new floor? Then request our free inspiration magazine or visit one of our showrooms in Alphen aan den Rijn , Naarden or Amsterdam. Video calling is also possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are wooden floors sustainable?

Yes, wood floors can be durable depending on the source of the wood and the manufacturing process. Choose wood that comes from sustainably managed forests and pay attention to certifications such as FSC or PEFC.

What are the benefits of wooden floors in terms of sustainability?

Wood is a natural, renewable material that requires less energy and raw materials to produce compared to other floor coverings. Wooden floors also have a long lifespan and can be refurbished rather than replaced, extending their lifespan even further.

Are wooden floors more environmentally friendly than other floors?

Wooden floors generally have a lower environmental impact than floor coverings based on synthetic materials, such as vinyl or carpet. Wood is a natural material and its production requires less energy and chemicals. However, it is important to take the source of the wood into account and choose sustainably produced wood.

How can I sustainably maintain my wooden floor?

To maintain your wooden floor sustainably, avoid excessive water use when cleaning and preferably use environmentally friendly cleaning agents. Place felt pads under furniture to prevent scratches and provide regular maintenance, such as applying a protective finish or re-oiling the floor if necessary.

How long does a wooden floor last?

The lifespan of a wooden floor can vary depending on factors such as the wood specie , the quality of installation and maintenance. In general, a well-maintained wood floor can last for generations of years and can even be sanded and refinished to extend its lifespan.