Design With The Planet In Mind

As a Certified Green Company, we’re committed to helping you find the finest and most sustainable and eco-friendly home renovation options available in Berkeley.  Being a Certified Green Company means we are actively using our business as a tool for positive social change, have been evaluated as environmentally responsible, and remain accountable by tracking and improving our progress while operating with transparency in every facet of our business.

We’re committed to helping Berkeley, CA, renovate their homes into breathtaking interiors that honor the planet without sacrificing quality or beauty.  We have carefully selected vendors who have achieved Global GreenTag certifications so you can enjoy lovely, sustainable, non-toxic flooring and countertops that bring beauty and grace to your home. Their green materials are not just about aesthetics; they are about making a conscious choice to contribute positively to the environment without compromising on style or durability.

Together, let’s design spaces that reflect a commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly choices at the cornerstone of your home renovation. Build your vision knowing you’re making a sustainable choice when you select products from any of the following vendors.

Eco-Friendly Flooring Options

Want eco-friendly floors that last a lifetime? Marmoleum floors are a unique, innovative type of linoleum flooring which has gained popularity for its sustainability, durability, and brilliant palette of available colors. Marmoleum is made of natural materials such as linseed oil, jute, limestone, and natural pigments and resin. These ingredients are each biodegradable and renewable, sourced from sustainable practices in a production process that is designed to minimize CO2 emissions. Marmoleum does not emit harmful VOCs, is allergen-free, has anti-bacterial properties, and is a breeze to clean and install for the DIY crowd, making for a fine candidate to dress your floors in eco-friendly home renovations.

Forbo Flooring Systems makes our Marmoleum floors. Explore a riot of colors and patterns while building a safe, durable option that maintains indoor air quality while allowing you to express your creativity. Come learn why this is one of the most popular flooring options we offer! 

Frequently Asked Questions About Marmoleum

• What is the life expectancy of Marmoleum flooring?
  One reason Marmoleum is so popular is because it lasts for more than 40 years. 
• Does Marmoleum need to be waxed?
  Not at all. Marmoleum comes with a factory finish that requires only simple, cost-effective cleaning and conditioning without the need for stripping, sanding, or waxing. A simple damp mop can keep a Marmoleum floor looking new.

It’s perfectly possible to enjoy the timeless beauty of hardwood floors without contributing to deforestation.

Junckers Hardwood floors are an entirely organic hardwood flooring choice. While all hardwoods are made of natural, renewable materials, these floors are made without sacrificing trees. Rather, Junckers creates them using a mixture of oil, rosin, wood industry by-products, cork flour, ground limestone, jute fiber, and pigments. This eco-friendly result gives you the look and feel of wood with none of the deforestation.

Cork flooring is one of the most environmentally friendly home renovation materials you could use by virtue of its very nature. The bark of the cork oak tree is what is harvested, leaving the tree to continue to thrive and produce more cork for future harvests. This renewable, sustainable sourcing is just one reason why cork flooring is a great choice for environmentally conscious homeowners. Cork floors are especially helpful in the battle against climate change because cork oak absorbs more CO2 when harvested. Cork floors can also surprise you with their potential for diverse colors and textures. Despite their organic nature, they can also replicate the stately look of tile and stone!

Here are a few of the vendors we carry if you are looking for cork floors:

• APC Cork floors are also made from renewable, sustainable cork harvested from cork oak trees, which can regrow their bark without being cut down. APC Cork floors are also known for improving indoor air quality. These floors are certified by FSC or PEFC for responsible forest management.
• AHF Commercial makes cork flooring in an alluring gallery of options and embraces a culture of environmental responsibility and transparency.
• Duro Design floors are made from cork harvested from managed forests. They also use low-VOC finishes and adhesives to minimize indoor air pollutants. Their durable, flexible flooring comes in a range of colors and patterns.
• Wicanders WISE by Amorim creates gorgeous floors from natural, renewable cork. Amorim is a company committed to sustainability.

Carpet floors can be an eco-friendly home renovation choice thanks to a wealth of options in recycled and renewable materials. If you are looking for a natural approach, our wool carpets have a lower environmental impact than synthetic alternatives. If you are interested in recycled materials, we also carry carpets that breathe new life into post-consumer plastic.

Wool is a renewable resource, as sheep produce a new fleece each year, and their natural nature means that they don’t off-gas the chemicals found in synthetic materials. Carpets made by recycling plastic bottles (PET plastics) into fiber keeps plastic waste out of our oceans and landfills and reduces the demand for the petroleum used in creating synthetic materials. Both types of carpet offer excellent insulation so your floors can stay warmer in the winter, reducing the need for extra energy spent on heating.

Here are a few vendors that stand out among green options for carpets:

• Hibernia Wool carpets are made from natural, renewable, biodegradable wool. They’re also known for creating durable, long-lasting carpets whose admirable longevity reduces waste that can come from replacement costs. 
• Low VOC, biodegradable, Unique Carpets are all created from recycled or renewable materials. These lovely carpets are crafted from post-consumer plastic bottles, wool, sisal, jute, or seagrass, all without sacrificing comfort or style.
• Godfrey Hirst carpets are made from Sorona® polymers containing 37% renewable plant-based ingredients, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. They also offer organic wool carpets for people with allergies.

Tile flooring can be a sustainable and eco-friendly home renovation material thanks to its durability and environmental impact. Many tiles are made from materials like clay, sand and glass, making for a slimmer environmental footprint than synthetic options. These non-toxic, natural options do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) thanks to being made of such materials and can be installed with low VOC grouts and adhesives. They also can be made of recycled content, further shrinking their environmental impact. Tiles are easy to clean and maintain without the need for harsh chemicals, making them a friendly option for people with allergies.

• Crossville Tile has been recognized as an Eco-Leader by Green Builder Media. Crossville recycles wastewater, as well as fired and unfired scrap tile, in order to reduce waste. They also eliminate waste with their Tile Take-Back™ program, which helps them reclaim and reuse scrap tile from job sites.
• It’s hard to get more sustainable than long-lasting stone, which is exactly what Norstone uses to create its lovely tile flooring products. This company has also worked to eliminate harmful emissions from its entire manufacturing process. 
• Radiant Surfaces by Warm Tile Floors are energy-efficient in their own right, as they don’t lose heat through ductwork or air leaks. This makes them sustainable by their very nature, but Warm Tile Floors takes it a step further by creating their flooring from 100% natural, recyclable, and non-combustible materials. 
• Raffi Glass creates floor and wall tiles from recycled glass, ensuring they’re both a stunning choice and an environmentally friendly one.

Eco-Friendly Countertops

You won’t have to sacrifice aesthetics when you choose any of these fine countertop brands.

Dekton by Cosentino offsets 100% of its carbon emissions over the entire product lifecycle, ensuring their countertops are the only cradle-to-grave carbon-neutral countertops on the market. This remarkable achievement is not all: they also use 100% renewable electricity during the manufacturing process.  Dekton countertops are not only a testament to engineering excellence but also a beacon of sustainability, offering a range of styles and finishes that cater to any design aesthetic without compromising the planet’s well-being.

IceStone is championing eco-friendly design by creating its countertops from recycled glass, making them highly sustainable works of art that turn waste into wonder. They are a no-VOC option that will contribute to your indoor air quality, making them an ideal choice for environmentally conscious homeowners. IceStone’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products, with innovative materials and water recycling practices that have put them well on their way to creating a zero-waste manufacturing facility. 

Your eyes won’t want to believe Paperstone countertops are truly made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and petroleum-free resins. These sleek, modern countertops are sturdy, impervious to moisture, resistant to bacteria, and easy to cut on-site, helping to streamline the installation process. You should come by our show room to see them in person: they truly challenge perceptions considering what they’re made of!

The gorgeous, colorful patterns offered by Vetrazzo countertops are accomplished by using recycled glass from bottles, windows, stained glass, and even traffic lights. This creative reuse not only gives materials a second life but also creates stunning, colorful patterns that make each countertop uniquely beautiful with their own, individual histories. . By choosing Vetrazzo, homeowners can bring the art of sustainability into their homes, showcasing their commitment to the planet without compromising on style.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eco-Friendly Home Renovation Materials

• What are the most sustainable carpet materials?
  Wool, sisal, seagrass, jute, and recycled materials are all sustainable options for carpet floors. Natural fiber carpets (like wool, sisal, jute, and cotton) and carpets made with non-toxic dyes and glues typically have the lowest VOC emissions.
• Is all tile flooring eco-friendly?
  Not all tiles are created equal in terms of environmental impact. When choosing tile flooring, look for products made from natural or recycled materials like tiles by Raffi Glass. You also can look for those manufactured through processes that minimize energy consumption and waste, like products by Norstone.
• What makes a home renovation material truly eco-friendly?
  An eco-friendly home renovation option is characterized by its sustainable sourcing, production process that minimizes environmental impact, and its contribution to healthy indoor air quality. Look for flooring materials like Marmoleum, cork, and sustainable hardwoods that are produced using renewable resources, have low VOC emissions, and are recyclable or biodegradable. Certifications from Global GreenTag or FSC can also indicate a product’s eco-friendliness.
• What are VOCs and VOC emissions?
  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that vaporize at room temperature, found in various building materials and adhesives. Generally, these emissions decrease over time after installation, but VOC emissions from synthetic materials can overstay their welcome. Low VOC materials are an important consideration for health-conscious homeowners and those with sensitivities or allergies.
• Are sustainable countertops durable enough for busy kitchens?
  Yes, sustainable countertops, such as Dekton, IceStone, and PaperStone, are designed with durability in mind. These materials undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand the demands of a busy kitchen, including resistance to moisture, bacteria, and daily wear and tear. Choosing a sustainable countertop means you don’t have to sacrifice durability to make your home renovation eco-friendly and sustainable.
• Can eco-friendly countertops improve indoor air quality?
  Many eco-friendly countertops, including those made from recycled glass or paper, are non-toxic and emit low or no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), contributing to healthier indoor air quality. Brands like IceStone are particularly noted for their no-VOC options, making them an excellent choice for homeowners concerned about air quality and environmental health.

Go Green! Schedule a Quote Today

Call (510) 652-6064 now, fill out our online quote form, or visit our showroom at your earliest convenience.