Eco-Friendly Tile Choices for Kitchens, Bathrooms, Floors, and More
Choosing tile for your home isn’t just about selecting the perfect color, size, and shape. It’s about investing in a material that will last for years, which reduces waste by keeping unnecessary replacements out of landfills. Natural stone tiles have long been a sustainable, eco-friendly option. Advancements in tile manufacturing have made alternative materials more environmentally responsible, too. Thanks to consistent consumer demand for greener choices, the industry has evolved. It’s easier than ever to create a beautiful home with a lighter footprint.
But with so many options, where do you start? Let’s break it down.
Natural Stone vs. Ceramic Tile
Green home enthusiasts who want a stylish, durable kitchen floor might fall in love with natural stone flooring sourced straight from Mother Earth at a local quarry. It makes perfect sense not to ship flooring materials across the world. In addition, such a durable material, if properly installed, most likely won’t have to be replaced for decades, which makes it a sustainable option.
The trade-off? Natural stone is porous, and many types of stone tiles will have to be sealed regularly to inhibit staining. Periodic restoration (honing and polishing) may be necessary to keep the floors looking their best when scratches, etch damage, and other signs of wear become apparent. Such care and maintenance requirements could be a big problem for busy, high-traffic households.
A great low-maintenance, eco-conscious alternative to natural stone is a glazed ceramic tile made with recycled materials and fired in an energy-efficient kiln. Such material can make homeowners who are concerned about the environment feel a unique sense of satisfaction in killing two birds, actually several birds, with one stone—a floor that looks great, costs less, reduces waste, and doesn’t require much effort to maintain.
So, which is the better choice for you? Either one. It just depends on your lifestyle and preferences. Both materials are long-lasting and eco-friendly.
To learn more, read Natural Stone vs Ceramic Tile. This article covers granite, marble, travertine, stacked stone, thin brick veneer, terrazzo, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, quarry tile, terra-cotta tile, and the pros and cons of each.
Terrazzo vs. Terrazzo-Look Porcelain
Suppose you are renovating your guest bathroom and want to be eco-conscious. Consider a gorgeous material composed of marble, quartz, and recycled glass chips set in concrete: terrazzo tiles. Such tiles typically contain a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials.
But what if this material puts you way over your budget?
Terrazzo-look porcelain tile would be a more affordable alternative. Although real terrazzo has more depth and clarity, faux terrazzo looks great. Most people won’t notice the difference unless they inspect it closely. If terrazzo-look porcelain tile is made in an energy-efficient factory using recycled materials, then it, too, would be a strong, eco-friendly option.
Homeowners typically love the final results with either type of material. Both terrazzo and its faux friend, porcelain, are stylish and long-lasting options that align with sustainability goals.
To learn more, read Terrazzo Tile vs Terrazzo-Look Porcelain Tile. You’ll learn about the difference between traditional poured terrazzo and terrazzo tiles and how terrazzo-look porcelain tiles are made. This article also explains what you need to know about repair and restoration, grout lines, slip resistance, and more.
Other Considerations
Other tile options that can make you feel good about minimizing environmental impact include recycled glass tile and bamboo or cork tile.
Choose tiles with natural tones and classic designs. These options transcend trends that come and go and are less likely to be prematurely replaced by new homeowners because of differing design preferences.
As a rule of thumb, when you compare various materials, look for tiles made with recycled materials using energy-efficient production methods.
Copher Tile & Stone recommends and works closely with Tileco Distribution to source eco-friendly tile materials. Set an appointment to visit their San Luis Obispo showroom so you can touch and see for yourself the difference between various tiles.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollute the environment, including the indoor air you breathe.
Let’s consider tile and the materials used for tile installation and protection, such as adhesives, grouts, sealants, cleaners, coatings, etc. Is tile low VOC? Yes, it is. According to the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), ceramic and porcelain tile “easily meet the requirements of commonly-referenced emission specifications.” What about tile setting materials? TCNA says that “cementitious mortars (both with and without polymer additives) typically have low to no VOC content or emissions.”
We take advantage of every opportunity to use the no-VOC or lowest-VOC options.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is good for the environment. Radiant heated flooring and eco-friendly tile go hand in hand. Tile contains, transfers, and disperses heat well.
With an electric radiant heating system under your tile, heat spreads evenly throughout the living space from the floor up. With HVAC systems, a significant portion of energy is lost in the ducts. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, radiant underfloor heating “is more efficient than baseboard heating and usually more efficient than forced-air heating because it eliminates duct losses.”
To learn more, read our article, The Benefits of Radiant Heated Tile Floors.
Proper Installation and Maintenance
Remember, choosing eco-friendly tile is a great start, but without proper installation, your investment could end up in a landfill long before its time. Eco-friendly tiles hold up well if they are properly installed and maintained.
Unfortunately, many home and property owners look at the eye candy on a contractor’s website gallery and believe that the installers who work for the company know what they are doing. The thing is, what is under the tile is just as important to the success of an installation as the tile itself. Proper substrate preparation and careful attention to detail ensure your tile not only looks great, but also stays in place and performs as it should.
Hire a reputable, experienced tile installer who follows industry standards, best practices, and the manufacturer’s instructions.
To learn more about proper maintenance, including professional services and recommended service providers, read How Do I Keep My Tile Looking New After Installation?
When you start looking for tile, you may be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of stylish, eco-friendly options out there. Going green with new tile for your kitchen, bathroom, or floor is easier than you think!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best eco-friendly tile choices for your home?
The best eco-friendly tile choices for your home include natural stone, recycled ceramic tile, terrazzo, terrazzo-look porcelain, and recycled glass tile, all of which are durable and designed to reduce environmental impact.
2. Is ceramic tile an eco-friendly alternative to natural stone?
Yes, ceramic tile can be an eco-friendly alternative to natural stone when it is made with recycled materials and produced in energy-efficient kilns, offering durability with lower maintenance needs.
3. Do eco-friendly tile choices require special installation or maintenance?
Eco-friendly tile choices perform best when properly installed with low-VOC materials and maintained correctly, helping prevent premature replacement and extending the tile’s lifespan.
by Alice Dean
Copher Tile & Stone proudly stays up to date on tile installation with ongoing education with Mapei Technical Institute, Ardex Academy, the National Tile Contractors Association, Laticrete, and Schluter. Copher is a Certified Tile Installer (#1644).
Do you want a quote for an eco-friendly tile installation? Contact us online or call 805-286-7460. We are San Luis Obispo County’s preferred tile installation company, serving Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Los Osos, and Grover Beach.
