Report Confirms Refinishing Hardwood and Resilient Floors is More Sustainable

A recent report from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute confirms that refinishing hardwood and resilient floors is more sustainable for the environment than replacing the flooring surfaces. The report, which was conducted with input from Bona, states a 78 percent carbon footprint reduction when refinishing rather than replacing wood floors. Refinishing resilient floor surfaces can offer up to 92 percent reduction in carbon footprint versus replacing.  Additionally, the report found that by refinishing hardwood or resilient floors a minimum of 90 percent savings in resources is realized which includes transport, electricity use, consumables, and materials.

Every year, 25 million square meters of hardwood and resilient flooring is replaced in Swedish public and commercial buildings. The IVL study, “Increasing resource efficiency in the Swedish flooring industry through floor refinishing,” found that refinishing these flooring surfaces can offer a significant decrease in carbon footprint, save on resources, and contribute to a circular economy relative to building materials.