Green flooring choices

[rockford33]

Well, our living room is in need of a new floor. The carpet that came with the house is now in pretty bad shape. My wife and I were looking at cork and got sample from Lumber Liquidators (Lisbon Cork) and from an eco-store nearby (Expanko). Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the cork will work. The Expanko samples look a little torn up now that my cat has walked over them (you can see little claw prints and the top coming off a little, like drywall paper peeling). The Lisbon Cork samples look better, but I think that is because they are much smaller in size (the Expanko's were 12"x12", the Lisbon were about 6"x6").

So now I am nervous about getting cork flooring although we would love it (plus it would give us some nice insulation since the living room is above the garage in our townhouse). And keeping the cat's nails clipped isn't an option. We aren't good about it now so I don't see that changing and that isn't a chance I want to take.

We looked at Marmoleum, which the wife didn't like and I think may fair the same as the cork. I like to lay on the floor, as does my 2 year son when he plays, so I am shying away from bamboo. Plus I think wood floors can sound loud and echo in some rooms.

What other options are there? We liked the cork because my wife and son have allergies, so she is shying away from carpeting. And we both want something easy to keep clean (both the wife and kid spill their fair share ). I looked at wool carpeting online, but not sure if that is best and where to get it in Maryland (plus it was $$$).

Thanks,
Neil