Creating a healthy home goes deeper than the food in your fridge or the filter on your faucet. It extends to the very air you breathe, which is significantly impacted by the building materials you choose. Your floor is one of the largest surfaces in your home, and it can be a major source of indoor air pollutants if you don’t know what to look for.
Dealing with the world of flooring can feel like deciphering a secret code of acronyms and chemical names. What are VOCs? Is formaldehyde a concern in modern flooring? What do all those eco-certifications actually mean? This guide will provide you with six essential tips to decode the jargon, empowering you to choose a floor that is not only beautiful and durable but also safe for your family.
1. Understand the Basics: What Are VOCs and Formaldehyde?
Before you can choose a healthy floor, you need to know what you’re trying to avoid.
- VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
These are carbon-based chemicals that easily turn into gases at room temperature, “off-gassing” into your home’s air. They are found in thousands of products, including paints, cleaning supplies, furniture, and, of course, flooring materials and adhesives. Exposure to high levels of VOCs can cause short-term health effects like headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation, as well as aggravate conditions like asthma.
- Formaldehyde
This is one of the most common and well-known VOCs. It is a colourless, strong-smelling gas used widely in the manufacturing of building materials. In flooring, it’s primarily found in the urea-formaldehyde resins used as adhesives in composite wood products, such as the core of some engineered hardwood, laminate, and vinyl planks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen, making it a top chemical to limit in your home.
2. Prioritize “Low-VOC” and “No-VOC” Labels
Manufacturers are increasingly aware of consumer demand for healthier products. As a result, you will often see products advertised as “Low-VOC” or “No-VOC.” While these terms are not always strictly regulated, they are a good starting point. A “Low-VOC” product has a reduced concentration of volatile compounds, while a “No-VOC” product contains levels below a standardized, detectable threshold. Always look for these designations on product specification sheets and packaging for both the flooring planks and the finishes applied to them.
3. Look Beyond the Planks: Scrutinize Adhesives and Finishes
A common mistake is to focus solely on the flooring material itself while overlooking the installation components. You can choose the healthiest, most eco-friendly floor planks available, but if they are installed using an adhesive packed with formaldehyde and other VOCs, you’ve undermined your efforts. The same goes for any topcoats or finishes applied on-site. When planning your project, specifically ask about low-VOC or zero-VOC adhesives, underlayments, and sealants.
When you work with a reputable supplier and installer, they will understand the importance of a complete, healthy flooring system. At Capital Hardwood Flooring, we ensure every component, from the planks to the glue, meets high safety and air quality standards. For a flooring system that’s safe from the subfloor up, call our experts at 416-536-2200.
4. Learn to Read the Labels: Key Eco-Certifications Explained
Third-party certifications are your most reliable tool for verifying a product’s health claims. They prove that a product has been independently tested and meets stringent standards for chemical emissions. Here are the most important ones to look for:
- FloorScore®
This is the most renowned indoor air quality (IAQ) certification for hard surface flooring. Developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), it tests and certifies that flooring products meet the strict VOC emission criteria of the California Section 01350 program, a benchmark for indoor air quality.
- GREENGUARD Gold
This certification is even more stringent than standard GREENGUARD. It includes health-based criteria for additional chemicals and requires lower total VOC emission levels. GREENGUARD Gold-certified products are deemed suitable for sensitive environments like schools and healthcare facilities, making them an excellent choice for a family home.
5. Consider the Core Material
The type of flooring you choose has a direct impact on its potential for off-gassing.
- Solid Hardwood
As a natural material, solid wood itself contains no formaldehyde-based adhesives. The primary concern here is the finish. Look for solid hardwood that is pre-finished in the factory with a durable, low-VOC urethane finish.
- Engineered Hardwood
The key is the adhesive used to bond the wood plies together. High-quality engineered flooring from reputable manufacturers will use no-added-formaldehyde (NAF) adhesives and will carry certifications like GREENGUARD Gold and CARB 2.
- Laminate & Luxury Vinyl (LVT/LVP)
These products are multi-layered and rely on binders and adhesives. For these categories, third-party certifications are not just a bonus—they are essential. Never purchase uncertified laminate or vinyl flooring, as cheap, unregulated products are a primary source of high VOC emissions.
6. Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate
Even with low-VOC products, some level of off-gassing is inevitable immediately following installation. The single most effective thing you can do to protect your indoor air quality is to ensure proper ventilation. For the first 48 to 72 hours after your new floor is installed, open windows and use fans to create cross-breezes that carry any lingering VOCs outside. Continuing to air out your home regularly for a few weeks is a best practice for ensuring the long-term purity of your indoor air.
For a flooring selection that is not only beautiful but also healthy for your family, trust the experts who prioritize safety and quality. Contact Capital Hardwood Flooring today at 416-536-2200 to find the perfect, certified flooring for your home.