Materials & origin
mafi natural wood floors actively remove 8kg of CO2 per m2* from the environment
We achieve this value through the extremely long service life of our products, the reduction of ingredients to the bare minimum and at the same time the most natural, as well as responsible production integrated in the region.
That is why we build floors that grow old with you: scratches and stains can be repaired on the spot instead of replacing the whole floor.
*Source: Living Product Challenge
Not all wooden floors are the same!
What matters? Where the wood comes from, the surface, what is inside the floor and what happens to it at the end.
First of all, there is always the resource wood and where and, above all, how it is sourced. Other very important components are the type of finish, i.e. the surface treatment, and which ingredients are used in the parquet.
Finally, the disposal and recyclability of the product must also be considered.
The Surface
The surface determines how a wooden floor feels, how it ages and how it can be repaired. Lacquer and UV oil put a layer over the wood. Decades ago, we decided on linseed oil-based oil, which dries slowly in the air and penetrates deep into the wood.
The Ingredients
Problematic ingredients are often found in wood preservatives or in the glue that holds multi-layer parquet together. These substances can have a negative impact on the indoor climate and are also harmful to the environment.
Our wood floor oil contains no solvents and our white glue no formaldehyde. Whatever the finished product still releases into the indoor air comes partly from the natural material wood itself and is well below the AgBB limits (test report no. 59089-A001-AgBB-L).
The Material
Not all wood is the same. The use of tropical wood should therefore be avoided, especially in Central Europe. The transportation routes are long and the source of the material is difficult to verify. But even within Europe, it is worth looking at where the wood comes from. In Austria, for example, the Forest Act requires felled areas to be reforested.
We work with small forestry companies that are often still run as family businesses and with whom we have a long-standing partnership. In this way, we ensure direct communication and a transparent supply chain.
The Repair
In order for a mafi floor to have the longest possible service life, its ability to be repaired is crucial.
Wooden floors sealed with lacquer or UV oil usually have to be sanded down over the entire surface. mafi floors, on the other hand, can be repaired exactly where the damage is. This way the floor lasts longer, and the carbon stays bound in the wood for longer.
The Disposal
Depending on the ingredients and surface treatment, parquet is often hazardous waste or cannot be disposed of as wood.
Not so with mafi: no lacquer, no UV oil. And if the floor ever has to come out after many, many years, it is recovered as waste wood.
How do I recognize Greenwashing?
Quite frankly - there is hardly a wood flooring manufacturer that doesn't talk about sustainability. The differences and possibly greenwashing only become apparent on closer, critical examination. The following aspects can be clues for recognizing greenwashing:
- Transparency: how open is communication, what data is made available and are the production facilities open for visits.
- Components: what components does the product consist of, are they natural substances and what impact do they have on the environment?
- Product vs. range: There are many certifications and what exactly has been certified needs to be scrutinized. Often only a single flagship product is certified, but this cannot be applied to the entire range.
- Samples: always ask for samples and compare the structure, surface, smell and feel. Trust your instincts when doing so.
- Remain critical: is the reasoning logical, does the company philosophy match your values and can quality be produced at the stated prices?
Certificates
You can find out here which certificates exist for our floors, who issues them and what they prove: