In the past, homeowners and business owners may not have placed a great amount of emphasis on non-toxic flooring, but those days are over. Today, most consumers prefer non-toxic items in the home or business. There is ample evidence indicating the type of flooring installed can impact the quality of indoor air and affect health. Discover the benefits of a non-toxic floor.

Unfortunately, several types of flooring materials are made from synthetic materials, like polyvinyl, and, in other cases, resins and glues are often used to adhere flooring materials to the ground floor. 

In some cases, toxic volatile organic compounds can be slowly released from the flooring over time. Thankfully, the amounts of toxic compounds released are small and can be erased with a good ventilation system.

WHAT EXACTLY IS NON-TOXIC FLOORING?

Non-toxic flooring means that the material does not release any toxic or harmful chemicals or gasses indoors that can cause health problems to humans and pets. Some of the non-toxic floor materials include naturally occurring substances, such as rubber, stone, tiles, and wood. 

However, recent advances in technology have also led to the development of several synthetic flooring materials that are also non-toxic, like luxury vinyl and laminate. For homeowners and business owners, it is important to understand that there is no material that is 100 percent free of chemicals, and the key is to select products that are the least toxic and of good quality.

Why select non-toxic flooring:

  1. Most non-toxic flooring is made in a way that is sustainable and does not harm the environment.
  2. There is little risk of owners inhaling harmful gasses and worsening their health.
  3. With minimal or no use of insecticides or pesticides, this also preserves the environment from leaching of these chemicals into the soil and waterways.
  4. Increases the resale value of your property.

Toxic Gasses and Formaldehyde

Today, the flooring industry has kept up with new technology and is minimizing the use of toxic chemicals and other substances so that indoor air quality is not affected. In fact, today, there are glues and resins that contain only small amounts of formaldehyde, which have been shown to have no adverse effect on health. For consumers, it is important to read labels on flooring materials to reveal if they contain any formaldehyde, which appears to be the toxic gas of most concern.

WHAT ARE YOUR NON-TOXIC FLOORING CHOICES?

Non-Toxic Carpet

Carpets have been one of the most popular flooring materials for decades, and, unlike in the past, many of the carpets made today use eco-friendly manufacturing processes and even include natural fibers like cotton, sisal, wool, jute, seagrass, and bamboo. 

The naturally occurring fibers are grown organically, meaning that the use of pesticides and insecticides has been avoided. The carpet industry does have labels indicating that these materials have met the highest standards for indoor quality. 

Homeowners and business owners should get in the habit of reading labels on carpets to determine which ones contain the least amount of chemicals.

Non-Toxic Solid Wood

Besides its excellent aesthetics, hardwood flooring is ideal for people who have allergies or are sensitive to dust. Hardwood flooring does not accumulate dust and debris like carpet and is relatively easy to clean and maintain. 

Today, hardwood flooring is made from a variety of trees, including elm, oak, maple, pine, cedar, mahogany, and many more. In addition, to make the flooring safe indoors, the flooring industry has started to use non-toxic finishes when the flooring is installed.

Other tips for using non-toxic hardwood flooring include the following:

  1. Avoid the use of salvaged or recycled wood that has previously been glued, painted, or coated.
  2. Avoid the use of wood that has been pretreated with fungicides.
  3. Ask the installer to use a click or interlocking installation technique instead of glue. Another option is the use of nails.
  4. If glue is used, make sure it is of the low-VOC variety.
  5. Always purchase the prefinished wood instead of trying to refinish it after installation; this way, you limit exposure to fumes from the finish and stains.
  6. If the wood is going to be finished after the fact, select wood stains that are low in VOC to help decrease the chance of harmful fumes.

Non-Toxic Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is constructed with several wood planks bonded and a top layer of hardwood veneer. The one major advantage of engineered wood is that it comes prefinished, which means the owner is less likely to be exposed to fumes from the finish or stains. The downside of engineered wood is that the wood composites are glued together, and there is a small risk of toxic gasses being released over time. Select engineered wood that uses glues with low or no formaldehyde.

Non-Toxic Tiles

Tiles have been around for many years and are a safe and non-toxic flooring option for homes and businesses. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are durable, easy to care for, and have excellent moisture resistance, making them an excellent choice for the kitchen and bathrooms. To ensure that you have non-toxic tiles, here are some tips:

  1. Avoid lead-glazed tiles, which are made abroad and then sold in the U.S.
  2. Ensure that the backing board for the tiles is made of low-VOC cement.
  3. Ask the installer to use water-based adhesives to set the tiles.
  4. In areas of low traffic, use cement-based grout.
  5. Select low-VOC sealants.
  6. Have the tiles pre-cut to lower the risk of inhaling dust and other particles.

Non-Toxic Floor – Vinyl

Luxury vinyl is regarded as one of the best flooring materials on the market. Not only is vinyl available in many styles and patterns, but it also has a broad range of functionalities, including ease of cleaning, low maintenance, durability, good aesthetics, and affordability. The downside to vinyl is that it is manufactured from reprocessed plastic. While studies show that the risk of release of toxic gasses is low, consumers should seek vinyl material that is made of high quality.

Non-Toxic Floor – Laminate

Laminate, like vinyl, is made from synthetic material, and even though the latest products are very safe, there is a very small risk that the adhesive used may release toxic gasses. The flooring industry has gone to great lengths to manufacture high-quality laminate with safer adhesives and glues. Hence, consumers should select laminae products that are non-toxic and have a very low risk of releasing formaldehyde.

Ways to lower the risk of toxic flooring material in your home or business:

  • Buy products made in the USA because there are quality controls and rules established for the manufacturer of flooring.
  • Select flooring that can be installed with interlocking clicks rather than glues.
  • If glue is used to install the flooring, use one that releases the least amount of formaldehyde.
  • Buy quality products; cheaper products from abroad tend to contain a wide range of chemicals. 
  • Have the flooring material pre-cut so that there is a low risk of inhaling the dust.
  • Select flooring material that is stained and/or finished so that there is no risk of being exposed to fumes.
  • Consult with a flooring expert for non-toxic floor options.
  • Always read labels.
  • Consult with a flooring professional who has expertise in non-toxic floor materials.

CONCLUSION

Consumers who are considering non-toxic flooring materials for their home or business have a number of good choices, including carpet, hardwood, rubber, cork, stone, tiles, and bamboo. In addition, luxury vinyl is very safe as long as one selects high-quality material. 

Consult with a professional from East Coast Flooring & Interiors to understand more about non-toxic floor materials and what flooring may be best suited for your needs.