FLOORING
Sponsored by Bona
A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR FLOORS Bona looks at the importance and resource-saving benefits of properly maintaining and renovating floors.
The environmental impact of a refinished wooden floor is equivalent to 1.4kg carbon dioxide per m2, compared to a newly installed floor, which has an average of 6.63kg.
The results show that the use of primary energy resources can significantly be reduced. With a refinish, the total use of primary energy resources is 15 MJ / m2, including production of raw materials, resources and trips made by the craftsman. Compared to installation of a new floor, where the energy use is a total of 340 MJ / m2, the savings are 95%.
A wooden floor is expected to last for 15 years before it needs to be refinished or replaced. However, a wooden floor can be refinished up to four times, meaning it can last for 60 years. Considering the significant environmental and cost savings that comes with just one renovation, the benefits are considerable when looked at from a long-term perspective.
The environmental effects of renovating rather than replacing are clear. However, few studies have quantified and verified this information. Until now. Bona initiated a project together with the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, to find out the hard facts.
The report states a 78% carbon footprint reduction when refinishing rather than replacing wood floors. Refinishing resilient floor surfaces can offer up to 92% reduction in carbon footprint versus replacing. Additionally, the report found that by refinishing hardwood or resilient floors a minimum of 90% savings is achieved including transport, electricity use, consumables, and materials.
Floor renovation saves up to 90% in reduced carbon footprint vs installing a new floor. If we look at Bona’s yearly production of floor finishes and calculate the m2 of floors they cover, the carbon footprint reduction per m2 vs. new floors is 108,000 tonnes CO2. This is equal to CO2 emissions from 9,600 flights around the world.
When comparing costs for renovated floor with a new installation, it is important to consider all actions involved. The square metre cost of new floor is only one part of an installation calculation, so to make a fair calculation comparison you need to include labour costs for ripping out the existing floor, preparation of subfloor, removing and re-mounting skirting boards etc. A renovation of a wood or resilient floor works out to be at least 40% less expensive compared to installing a new floor.
A properly maintained refinished wooden floor will last longer and extend the time between renovations. The IVL study makes a clear case for the extensive sustainable benefits to be gained by refinishing existing floors rather than replacing them with new ones.
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A refinished resilient floor has an impact on climate change of 1.14kg carbon dioxide equivalents per m2. Compared to a newly installed floor that uses an average of 11.42kg, this produces a carbon footprint that is more than ten times lower for a refinished floor. The assessment included all products used, electricity, consumables, waste treatment and transport.
“Refinishing resilient floor surfaces can offer up to 92% reduction in carbon footprint versus replacing.”
The results show the use of energy resources can be significantly reduced. Since refinishing allows continued use of already available flooring materials. With a refinish the total use of primary energy resources is 20 MJ / m2. This takes into consideration the production of raw materials and resources and trips made by the craftsman. Compared to installation of a new floor, where the energy use is a total of 200 MJ / m2, the savings are 90%.
Email:
info@bona.com
IVL Report -
www.bona.com/en/about-bona/ sustainability/ivl-report/
www.bona.com/en-gb/professional/ environmental-benefits-of-floor-renovation/
Tomorrow’s FM Yearbook 2025/26
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