Choosing restoration over replacement of flooring surfaces helps preserve the environment. During the process of ripping out and installing new flooring materials, many unnecessary waste products are created.
It fills landfills, pollutes wildlife habitats, and damages natural resources. Refinishing old and damaged wood floors instead of replacing them reduces environmental waste.
Less Waste
When a floor is restored, refinishing eliminates the need to remove and dispose of existing flooring materials. It reduces the amount of waste generated, which cuts down on natural resources consumed and harmful pollutants released into the environment.
In addition, restoring wood floors reduces the need to harvest new lumber, thereby helping to preserve the earth’s natural forests. Additionally, repairing and refinishing existing wooden floors can also help improve the acoustics of a space, which in turn helps to conserve energy resources.
Dirty, damaged, and stained facility floors are unsightly and can cause issues with indoor air quality (IAQ). Poorly maintained flooring allows viruses to travel quickly throughout a facility, making employees and customers sick. Hygienic floor surfaces are vital in healthcare facilities, schools, and daycare centers. When floor restoration is used instead of replacement, it helps prevent the need to tear out old materials, which can lengthen construction timelines and wreak havoc on budgets.
Keeps Employees Healthy
Floor stripping & waxing conserves electricity, lowers carbon emissions, and uses fewer new materials. Renewing hardwood flooring surfaces has a far lower environmental impact than ripping them out and rebuilding them. When labor and materials are in short supply, it is crucial.
Replacing floors creates a lot of debris and dust during the demolition and installation. It can lower indoor air quality and be a health hazard for employees. With the restoration process, these hazards are avoided entirely.
Refinishing also tightens loose floorboards, fills gaps, and applies a new finish that helps dampen sound transmission. That makes the work environment more comfortable for your team and allows them to focus on their tasks. It also means fewer disruptions and less need for cleaning, saving labor hours. It is precious in facilities such as schools and hospitals where minimizing downtime is critical to maintaining patient safety.
Prevents Hazardous Debris from Entering the Air
Replacing floors releases a ton of dust and particulates into the air. This acceptable debris can be harmful to people and pets as it can cause respiratory distress, allergies, and even life-threatening illnesses.
Moreover, this debris can also harm the environment by contaminating the air and land. It can also damage nearby facilities if the particles reach critical infrastructure like buildings and transportation systems.
Modern restoration techniques and products are designed to minimize waste and reduce harmful emissions, making this a sustainable environmental choice. A study revealed that refinishing hardwood and resilient floor surfaces offers a 92 percent reduction in carbon footprint and energy resources compared to replacement. It is based on the product’s life cycle, including extraction, production, transport, electricity use, and consumables.