VOCs stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. We mentioned this briefly above, but buying GreenGuard-certified products will help you make sure you’re getting non-toxic laminate flooring. PVC Flooring vs. Vinyl Flooring: The Guide, A photo-realistic image layer that can mimic just about anything. Best laminate flooring … Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Water Resistant EIR Silverton Oak 8 mm Thick x 7-1/2 in. So how do you know which laminate floors are non-toxic? You’ve probably seen the phrase “VOC” thrown around a lot if you’ve been looking into sustainable flooring. And yes—that includes non-toxic laminate flooring! Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. So if you do plan to glue flooring we recommend sourcing a zero VOC floor adhesive like in this cork flooring DIY installation video. It’s affordable, it’s durable, it’s beautiful, and you can use it for just about anything—as sunroom flooring, as a replacement for water-resistant wood flooring, you name it. People were getting sick after installing these toxic laminate floors in their homes, and the investigation led to millions of dollars of fines and a full-on federal investigation. But you do have to pay attention to production. These non-toxic floorings have zero-VOCs, low-VOCs, and are considered "formaldehyde-free." Non-toxic flooring improves indoor air quality are less likely to cause you or your family to get sick due to VOC sensitivity. Supporting brands that support the planet. And this glue must resist to heat and moisture, and this sort of glue is not produced by the nature. In 2015, a 60 Minutes investigation into flooring juggernaut Lumber Liquidators (who have since rebranded as “LL Flooring”), revealed that the company had been selling Chinese-made laminate floors packed with VOCs. L Laminate Flooring (16.12 sq. The mild scent is light and pleasant to most users, without leaving a heavy odor in the air. Look for Non-Toxic Brands of Vinyl Flooring. ft. / case), Outlast+ Waterproof Auburn Scraped Oak 10 mm T x 6.14 in. According to the EPA, non-toxic laminate flooring is defined as a product that with a formaldehyde content below .03 ppm. While some early products tended to look—ahem—”not great” (laminate was once known as fake wood flooring for a reason), modern printing and embossing techniques have made today’s laminate look and feel just like real wood. ft. / case). From eco-friendly types of tile to concrete flooring that looks like wood, there are tons of green options for home surfaces. What are the other chemicals to look out for? Tragic, we know. Vinyl plank is easily one of the best types of vinyl flooring on the market. The eco-friendly formula is safe for use around kids and pets, too. Non-Toxic Flooring Options Ceramic Tile flooring. Related: Is laminate flooring waterproof? In Stock at Store Today ... Home Decorators Collection Water Resistant EIR Silverton Oak 8 mm Thick x 7-1/2 in. Other VOCs that you may find in laminate flooring products include perchloroethylene, benzene, and methylene chloride. It’s always best practice to keep windows open for circulation after installing any flooring and to consider using an air purifier as well. Confused by all the different acronyms that pop up like LVP, PVC, WPC, and EVP flooring? That means that the toxins found in other types of flooring are not present in laminate floors. Spoiler: they hadn’t. Non-Toxic Laminate Flooring What is Laminate Flooring Laminate flooring is a click together floor made of a fiberboard base and a printed image on top. Again, we’ll get into that in more detail below. Mannington Laminate floors provide beauty, performance and environmental advantages you won’t find anywhere else. So let’s review the things to know in order to pick out the best non-toxic laminate flooring for you. Wondering what the difference is between PVC flooring and vinyl? L Laminate Flooring (451.36 sq. L Laminate Flooring (19.63 sq. Sort by: Top Sellers. Our Intrepid Nickel style features a contemporary shade of grey, the perfect canvas for a modern interior. Laminate flooring can contain some formaldehyde, but it differs by product. W x 47.24 in. She currently has at least 10 browser windows open at all times. Similarly, Mannington’s line of LVP is FloorScore Certified as low-VOC vinyl flooring. That common. ft./ case), Outlast+ Waterproof Java Scraped Oak 10 mm T x 6.14 in. Engineered hardwood is also a great option, but it does contain adhesives, Vinyl plank is amazing, but again—do your research. Nature’s carpet’s everest carpet from their “dark green” collections is made from a blend of european and new zealand wool. Click here to find a flooring store near you! It requires no rinsing, which is ideal for laminate floors that are sensitive to excess moisture. Notably, the laminate flooring will only be emitting volatile organic compounds that make adhesives in the laminate flooring. And that means that more and more laminate surfaces are now low-VOC and non-toxic. We’ll even show you how laminate compares to other environmentally-friendly flooring options! Higher temperatures and higher humidity may expedite this process. There is also the consideration that adding a toxic adhesive to a non-toxic floor board sort of defeats the purpose of investing in a healthier more sustainable option to protect indoor air quality. Engineered wood is absolutely amazing. It is distinct from: Engineered wood, which has a real solid wood layer on top of a plywood or fiberboard substrate Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which is a mix of PVC, limestone and […] Certified green floorings for your home are healthier alternatives to traditional floorings. Luckily, many of the best hardwood floor brands sell engineered products as well as solid. All of that to say: if you want non-toxic laminate flooring, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Laminate as mudroom flooring? It can have negative health effects if there’s extended exposure. Plus, while laminate isn’t a waterproof floor, there are specialty laminate products like Mohawk’s RevWood that offer totally waterproof qualities. Ceramic tile is generally a safe, non-toxic flooring option that is easy to maintain. But since the company doesn’t have a public […], February 16, 2021 Let’s talk about SmartCore flooring. Formaldehyde occurs in non-toxic levels naturally in virtually everything around us, including our own bodies. Poor IAQ can have serious health effects like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and so on. W x 47.24 in. ft. / pallet), Outlast+ Waterproof Soft Oak Glazed 10 mm T x 7.48 in. How VOCs Impact the Toxicity of Flooring Guide to Non-Toxic Flooring 2021. We carry hardwoods, bamboo, cork, Marmoleum, tile and carpet. There are many products designed to compete with hardwood, laminate being one of the leaders. Top Sellers Most Popular Price Low to High Price High to Low Top Rated Products. L Laminate Flooring (451.36 sq. Many people know that laminate is a durable, budget-friendly, and beautiful flooring option. They’re basically…well, exactly what they sound like: planks that snap and lock together rather than being glued to a subfloor (and what is subflooring, you ask?) Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas with a strong odor. ft. / case), Outlast+ Waterproof Vintage Pewter Oak 10 mm T x 7.48 in. And the industry haven't invented any non-toxic adhesive yet. W x 47.24 in. Laminate flooring is made using adhesives and that is why it releases formaldehyde gas, which could be toxic to you, kids, and even pets. Cali Bamboo, a brand known for green products, has its own line of vinyl flooring. Choose non-toxic finishes. How to Buy Non-Toxic Laminate Floors (& How to Identify Them), Look for products with a low formaldehyde content (<.03 PPM), Only buy products that have a GreenGuard (or GreenGuard Gold) certification, Opt for a click-together floating floor rather than a glue-down product, And avoid cheaply made products from overseas (Lumber Liquidators, we’re looking at you). ft. / case), XP Haley Oak 8 mm T x 7.48 in. Naturally It's Clean Floors. Most common laminate woods that will contain formaldehyde include particleboard, plywood, medium density fiber wood, and many other forms. We hear you. Wide x 50-2/3 in Length Laminate Flooring (23.69 sq. Most people have heard of formaldehyde, and it can be a little scary. You probably know this stuff already, but since we’re going to use some of these terms later on, we want to make sure everything’s crystal-clear. A simple monitor can test the IAQ of your home, and using filters and improving ventilation can help improve your air quality immediately. From the bottom they are: Some laminate floors might come with a built-in underlayment too—it just depends on the product. These products are usually ones that will go in spaces used by children, who are more susceptible to VOCs. Only buy products that have a GreenGuard (or GreenGuard Gold) certification . And when you’re buying from a top brand, you know you’re going to be getting a better (and healthier) product. Plastic can be a big VOC off-gasser if you buy a low-quality product! In addition to resisting water damage, Shaw Repel is available in a huge range of options. It’s 2020, friend—anything is possible. When it comes to non-toxic laminate flooring, this is especially significant because many laminates can be installed as click-together floating floors. Solid hardwood can be installed by using nails. The good news, however, is that this to-do brought a lot of awareness to the danger of VOCs in the home. Our green flooring is non-toxic, environmentally-friendly and made from sustainably harvested, recycled or reclaimed sources. It’s a lot. They know exactly where their products are from, who makes them, and what’s in them. Products that hold “GreenGuard Gold” certifications are even more strictly tested. The result of this report was that consumers became aware of products that are endangering our health and environment. Unlike the clueless clerks at the box stores (no shame, we know they’re doing their best) flooring retailers are flooring experts. Knowing the VOC numbers of the products you are thinking about will help you choose the one that’s healthiest for your household. Whether you’re looking for laminates that can mimic different wood floor colors or complicated wood floor patterns, you’ll have a lot of products to choose from. Is it possible to get non-toxic vinyl flooring? Off-gassing. They know exactly what every product they sell is made from, and by whom. Now that we’ve dumped a ton of information on you about chemicals and toxins, we can help you find products that don’t pose a health risk. What makes this laminate floor cleaner stand out is its water-based, non-toxic formula. Worse, Lumber Liquidators had been falsely claiming that these surfaces complied with the California Air Resource Board’s maximum limit for formaldehyde emissions. These are chemicals that aren’t as common in flooring, but you may find them in the varnish used to finish woods like pine flooring, Douglas fir flooring, ash flooring, or even ebony flooring. W x 47.24 in. Obtain super-clean floors naturally with this lightly citrus-scented, plant- … These are toxic chemicals that can get into homes via a process called “off-gassing”. Is Lowes’ in-house brand of LVP worth purchasing? W x 47.24 in. And recently, we’ve been getting tons of messages asking us to review Proximity Mills. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. ft. / pallet), Outlast+ Waterproof Somerton Auburn Hickory 10 mm T x 7.48 in. Most laminate products off-gas for about 10 years but some brands have a very low level of the toxic gas that is considered safe for flooring. PPM stands for Parts Per Million. How to Shop for Non-Toxic Laminate Flooring. Pros and cons, you know? L Laminate Flooring (19.63 sq. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Not only it doesn’t contain glue since it is made of solid wood only but also installation of solid hardwood doesn’t require glue. Why is totally non-toxic laminate flooring difficult to find? Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of air inside buildings. Because very strong adhesives have to be used to keep the fibers together in the fibreboard. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. W x 47.24 in. Wide x 50-2/3 in Length Laminate Flooring (23.69 sq. Because laminate is one of the best fake wood flooring choices, most stores carry a ton of options. ft. / pallet), Outlast+ Waterproof Vintage Pewter Oak 10 mm T x 7.48 in. Well, eco-friendly flooring is becoming more and more popular as homeowners look to reduce negative impacts on the planet. And for more information on all types of flooring, check out: Steph is a book nerd, rule follower, and pizza lover who can't get enough of playing outside. And when you’re shopping for floors to install in the most important place in your life—your home—you simply can’t be too careful. Is There a Safe, Non-toxic and Zero-VOC Laminate Flooring? Installing non-toxic, environmentally friendly flooring can help increase the value of your home as well as the speed at which it will sell. That new-car smell? These floors ensure that fewer items will be flagged during home inspections—and who wouldn’t want to use “healthy and sustainable” as a selling point? Only AquaGuard’s 30-hour guarantee is better. The good news is that you can find non-toxic laminate flooring by purchasing products that are GreenGuard Certified and that contain less than a certain amount of VOCs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not all laminate flooring releases high levels of formaldehyde, and there is non-toxic linoleum flooring. Entirely safe laminate flooring does not exist. Keeping your family safe is obviously a top priority. L Laminate Flooring (13.74 sq. Plus all the extras and supplies that you need to complete your flooring project. Sign up today and be the first to get notified on new updates. And the flooring industry is taking note! The best options are real hardwood, polished concrete, and tile. W x 47.24 in. What are click-together floating floors? The EPA has an entire guide on IAQ on their website if you want to dive in deeper. Some solid wood surfaces—like teak flooring—actually do better with a natural finish, since they’re packed with natural resins (one reason teak is a top option for boats, decks, and wood floor bathrooms). Avoid buying your floors at box stores (since the employees there have zero idea where their multi-billion-dollar corporate employer is sourcing its materials). MktoForms2.loadForm("//app-sj31.marketo.com", "317-BTU-838", 1170); First of All: What is Laminate Flooring, Exactly? There are many choices for non-toxic flooring suitable for the chemically sensitive or the health-conscious homeowner. And when adhesives are involved, you have to be on the lookout for VOCs. It’s important to ask the distributor and installer specific questions about the safety of the grout, the ventilation process used during installation and any other materials … But unfortunately, some types of laminate flooring can pose issues when it comes to chemicals and toxins. And this glue must resist to heat and moisture, and this sort of glue is not produced by the nature. No Glue Installation. It also adds value to your home when you resell your home. But specific brands of natural linoleum, carpet, and engineered wood are excellent choices as well. In flooring, you will find VOCs in a few different products and at varying levels—so it’s important to be aware. Laminate is traditionally more budget-friendly than most types of wood flooring. Need Help? You’re darn right. We think it’s important to support companies who make these products—they’re helping to keep our planet healthy and livable! L Laminate Flooring (13.74 sq. Basically, they’re the resource you have to ensure that you’re getting the most non-toxic laminate flooring possible. Are you ready to move forward with some clean, safe non-toxic flooring for your home? That’s why below, we’re going to explain everything you need to know about buying non-toxic laminate flooring. Did we fulfill our promise to explain everything you need to know about non-toxic laminate flooring? © 2021 FlooringStores, Inc. All rights reserved. Carpet or Hardwood in Bedrooms: Which is Better? As a freelance writer, she loves research, producing content, and organizing information for a wide variety of clients. Seriously—when it comes to scratch resistance, laminate can stack up against the most durable wood flooring options on the market. Before anything else, let’s talk basics. ft./pallet), Outlast+ Waterproof Java Scraped Oak 10 mm T x 6.14 in. Pergo Extreme Reviews 2020: What Buyers are Saying, Advantages & Disadvantages of Hickory vs. Oak Flooring, The 8 Best Types of Wood Flooring for Dogs. L Laminate Flooring (19.63 sq. How Much Does It Cost to Replace Carpet with Hardwood? ft. / case), Outlast+ Waterproof Applewood 10 mm T x 5.23 in. Non-toxic laminate flooring (well, all laminate flooring, really) is most often composed of three layers. Because it’s only made of wood, solid hardwood is one of the best options for non-toxic flooring. Avoid buying cheaply made products. When it comes to solid timber flooring, no one in christchurch. It’s simple—because this hardwood floor alternative is made of multiple layers, it contains a fair amount of industrial-strength adhesive. L Laminate Flooring (549.64 sq. Purchase online or give us a call. GreenGuard is a division of Underwriter Laboratories, a trusted third-party certification company that’s been protecting consumers for over 100 years. Avoid hardwood treated with chemicals. After months of research, design, and consumer testing, we bring you the Summa Collection, a 12MM water resistant laminate flooring — non-toxic, environmentally friendly and made only from sustainably harvested sources. W x 47.24 in. ft. / pallet), Outlast+ Waterproof Paradise Jatoba 10 mm T x 5.23 in. How common? pros and cons of engineered bamboo flooring, cost to install engineered hardwood floors, Click here to find a flooring store near you. We mentioned this briefly above, but buying GreenGuard-certified products will help you make sure you’re getting non-toxic laminate flooring. Because very strong adhesives have to be used to keep the fibers together in the fibreboard. You’re not alone. That’s why products like peel-and-stick carpet tiles can have an edge over glue-down carpet (if you’re on the market for low-VOC carpet). The Pros of formaldehyde: Sort by: Top Sellers. How Does Laminate Flooring Compare to Other Eco-Friendly Flooring Options? However, when formaldehyde levels are compounded by chemical additives, even an organic product like hardwood, flooring can produce higher levels of VOCs. We’re going to explain what chemicals you need to be on the lookout for, why laminate flooring can sometimes be toxic, how to identify eco-friendly flooring, and where to find the most non-toxic laminate floors for your home. Laminate is a multi-layer composite product that’s perhaps the most popular type of fake wood flooring on the market today. And below, we’re going to take an in-depth […], February 10, 2021 Do you keep seeing people mention PVC flooring when you’re searching for the best vinyl plank flooring brands? Laminate flooring provides a healthy, non-toxic alternative. Get It Fast. ft. / case), Outlast+ Waterproof Applewood 10 mm T x 5.23 in. And of course, laminate can be absolutely beautiful. In order to become GreenGuard-certified, a product has to be tested for thousands of chemical emissions. Notably, the gas emission does vary depending on the type of adhesives making up the wood. We’ve discussed a lot of types of flooring here, including many of the best vinyl plank flooring brands. 259 Results Laminate Flooring Features: Non Toxic. Flooring companies and regulatory agencies were forced to set new standards. Basically, just buy your laminate flooring from a local flooring retailer in your area. Laminate is made from synthetic products built to imitate hardwood. Wide x 50-2/3 in Length Laminate Flooring (23.69 sq. The world of non-toxic laminate flooring can be super overwhelming, so let’s cut to the chase and get you the tools you need. According to the EPA, non-toxic laminate flooring is defined as a product that with a formaldehyde content below .03 ppm. Why Should You Purchase Non-Toxic Laminate Flooring? Let’s put it this way: you can even find snap-together tile flooring. Let’s talk about what to look for at a flooring store near you. Top Sellers Most Popular Price Low to High Price High to Low Top Rated Products. And generally, adhesives do contain VOCs. Conclusion: It’s Possible to Find Non-Toxic Laminate Flooring—If You Know What to Look For! If you are still stuck in the carpet vs. laminate or tile vs. laminate debate, let’s talk about where laminate ranks in terms of eco-friendly flooring options. Also, if laminate flooring did produce higher levels of formaldehyde, over a couple of years, the levels would decrease. L Laminate Flooring (480.9 sq. If you’re reading up on non-toxic laminate flooring, you’ve clearly done your homework. And the industry haven’t invented any non-toxic adhesive yet. L Laminate Flooring (549.64 sq. Once you’ve made the decision to move forward with a safe flooring option, it’s time to shop. W x 47.24 in. But as you probably remember, until recently, people weren’t super widely aware of the chemicals used in the products they purchased for their homes. Plus, laminate’s durable wear layer makes it one of the best scratch-resistant flooring options for high traffic areas of the home (we’re talking hallways, living rooms, and kitchens here). If you’re ready to start your floor buying journey, our final piece of advice is this: buy your flooring from an independent flooring retailer. Of course, solid wood doesn’t come in click-together configurations quite as often, which can make things a bit more complicated if you’re looking for DIY wood floors. Fortunately, chemical technology has improved significantly, resulting in a non toxic form of laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is artificially constructed from products such as melamine, resin, and fibre board, manufactured with chemicals. Laminate flooring should be reconsidered amongst other non-toxic or low toxin flooring options. When buying vinyl flooring, everyone chooses something durable, elegant, and versatile. Entirely safe laminate flooring does not exist. Here’s why. W x 47.24 in. Just remember to use a low-VOC finish and a low-VOC installation method. And given that the cost to install them is about the same as the cost to install engineered hardwood floors, there are very few reasons not to. All Rights Reserved. Like most others, it is guaranteed to resist moisture absorption for 24 hours. A report linked Chinese-made laminate flooring to toxic levels of formaldehyde in hundreds of homes in the U.S. Yes, some companies are distributing toxin-free vinyl flooring. Some examples of VOCs present in our daily lives include: As we mentioned, laminate flooring does contain adhesives. Because of laminate’s makeup, there will always be some chemicals in the product. Laminate floors are installed without using toxic glue or chemicals. Avoiding adhesives is one of the easiest ways to cut out chemicals from your flooring installation. But remember: vinyl plank is made of vinyl—aka plastic—so you need to do your research before you purchase it. But at the end of the day, if you know what you’re looking for (and by now, we hope we’ve shown you that) it’s easy to find super non-toxic laminate floors. So: what is laminate flooring, exactly? Namely, because it’s composed of multiple layers, even the best engineered wood flooring does contain adhesives. 172 Results Laminate Flooring Features: Non Toxic. To reduce the health hazards in your home, it’s important to prioritize non-toxic options for all materials. SmartCore Flooring Reviews: Is it Worth it? In Stock at Store Today ... Home Decorators Collection Water Resistant EIR Silverton Oak 8 mm Thick x 7-1/2 in. As we mentioned before, adhesives can be the biggest culprit! What are the advantages of laminate flooring? Aside from the fact that inhaling VOCs is not a great move health-wise? The world […]. There are quite a few brands that offer safer vinyl options for your home. This can go on for years depending on the level of VOCs in the product. From new environmentally friendly products like hemp flooring to improved sustainables like cork planks (seriously, the disadvantages of cork flooring are becoming few and far between), there are tons of products for the green consumer. They’re some of the easiest types of flooring to install, and they’re becoming more common than ever. However: in recent years, changes to the flooring industry have put more and more focus on consumer protection. Also, it is the most non toxic wood flooring option you can pick. Shaw Repel: This is the industry’s best-selling waterproof laminate flooring. The first in the list of non-toxic flooring is this ceramic tile flooring, this is a highly durable and water-resistant type of flooring option, this type of flooring option can bear heavyweights, so there would … Or is it simply another product in the already-crowded world of vinyl plank? Here’s how it stacks up to some other rigid surfaces. For how long does laminate flooring give off gas (off-gas)? As we mentioned, once flooring is installed, it goes through a process called off-gassing in which chemicals are released into the air. The Best Cork Flooring Options & 11 Reasons They’re Awesome, Proximity Mills: Products, Reviews, Prices, & More. W x 47.24 in. And nearly all adhesives emit VOCs (we’ll talk about those later). February 18, 2021 Curious about Proximity Mills vinyl plank flooring? She was raised on the ice rinks of MN and currently resides in sunny San Diego. There are specific raw materials that are harmful, and some companies are now beginning to phase out this component. Made with over 70% post-industrial recycled content and installed without glues or adhesives, Mannington Laminate floors have been independently tested and certified by FloorScore® for meeting the strictest air quality standards. If you look into the pros and cons of engineered bamboo flooring, you’ll find that resale value with sustainable surfaces like these is a big plus. And while there are some disadvantages of floating floors, they do allow you to avoid using adhesives. Here’s why you won’t have to worry about installing non-toxic laminate flooring in your home. While it’s difficult to find completely non-toxic laminate flooring, there are some options that are much safer for your home than others. Avoid toxic adhesives for laying the flooring in place. Get It Fast. Basically, it’s a way we measure formaldehyde off-gassing in a given product. But when it comes to low-VOC flooring, you will find a couple of engineered wood disadvantages. Laminate flooring products are made using a plasticized “picture” or image of wood glued to fiberboard, and as such, cannot be sanded and refinished. Over the past year, we’ve reviewed dozens of the best vinyl plank flooring brands to see whether they’re worth purchasing.
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