As the "Green Movement" takes it's shape, people are now aware of alternate building materials that can be used to leave lesser impact on the environment. The old world simplicities and modern day technologies combined together give us a wide variety of sustainable options. Here we list a few eco-friendly products, and their characteristics:

• Linoleum floors
  
• Eco-friendly hardwood
• Recycled and recyclable carpets
• Natural stone
  
• Bamboo
  
• Cork
• Jute
  
• Hemp
  
• Soy
  
• No V.O.C. paint
• Recycled cotton insulation
• Reused antiques
  

  Linoleum Floors- The past and the present

Traditionally carpet and hardwood have been the mainstream flooring materials in homes across America. Old world linoleum had its era from the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century. Homeowners back then were fond of their linoleum sheets because these floors were dust repellent, easy to clean, and very durable. Typically they had these laid out in their kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. Because of the natural pigments and its unique manufacturing process, the linoleum sheets came in different colors with a fabric style pattern of its own. This material was also popular because it allowed to have fine inlay work done to personalize a room. The bold color borders along the perimeter of the room were quite popular in the early twentieth century.

As new inventions in synthetic floors developed during later part of twentieth century, materials like vinyl, laminate provided inexpensive flooring options to homeowners. Since sheet vinyl just like linoleum, is also easy to work with, the market for old style linoleum was completely taken over by this new invention.

However, in recent studies it has been found that the fumes and gasses emitted from adhesives and chemicals used in many vinyl floor affect indoor air quality. Prolonged exposure to these floors is found to be hazardous to residents' health.

Since linoleum is made out of all natural ingredients, it does not release such harmful gasses in the atmosphere. On the contrary, because of its anti-static nature, linoleum is considered to be a "hypo-allergenic and healthy" flooring option.
 
Linoleum is made out of linseed oil, wood flour, pine rosin, and jute fibers, which are all rapidly renewable products. Because of this, linoleum is considered to be an environmentally friendly or a "green" product. If a homeowner or a corporate organization is aiming to get a LEED* certificate for their home or office, this is a great product to earn points towards certification through USGBC*.