Generally speaking, floors with a nontoxic seal or finish have the lowest VOC levels. These include solid hardwood floors, polished concrete, and tile. Keep in mind that every flooring option comes with a lot of variety.
Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber, which makes it a healthy flooring option.
Due to the materials used in the production process of vinyl, it will sometimes emit various levels of VOCs into the air for a short amount of time after installation. These toxic chemicals can be harmful to air quality of the immediate environment it's installed in and may cause respiratory problems over time.
Laminate floors typically have more VOCs than other floorings due to the adhesives in the process. They are the worst option for a healthy home.
When it comes to environmental impact, laminate has a slight edge over vinyl thanks to its recycled wood core. However, the melamine wear layer on the surface is still made of plastic, which may off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be harmful to people and pets.
In reality, the off-gassing should be the strongest during the first two weeks and continue to off-gas for up to months after it is placed into your home.
All Newton products are FloorScore-certified as either low-VOC or zero-VOC (even their waterproof laminate flooring, which is gorgeous), and their vinyl is no different. It's also phthalate-free, for those wondering.
ASTM Laboratory Test Results Show Cali Bamboo Flooring 100% Ultra-low VOCs.
Although levels of formaldehyde emissions from products like laminate flooring decrease over time, significant off-gassing may continue for months and even years. Significant off-gassing from laminate flooring can continue for months and even years.
Other floors, like vinyl and laminate – are also notorious for having high voc content. Torlys Smart Floors has invested time and research into developing eco friendly floors no matter what type of flooring you choose – cork, laminate, vinyl, engineered hardwood or even leather, which is made from recycled leather.
To deal with the VOCs put off by existing materials in your home, consider using an air purifier with a carbon filter. Air purifiers for VOCs work by trapping harmful gases inside of carbon filters, then releasing the cleaned air back out into your home.
If you have vinyl flooring, consider using an air purifier designed to remove VOCs like phthalates from your indoor air so you can breathe easier. Dust and vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Laminate flooring is considered more hygienic and hypoallergenic than carpet, as it is easily cleaned, and dirt won't go unnoticed. Carpet tends to retain dust and pollen, stain more easily, and build up mold and mildew when exposed to moisture, making it a less desirable option for those who struggle with allergies.
Formaldehyde exposure may potentially cause a variety of symptoms and adverse health effects, such as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde has been associated with cancer in humans and laboratory animals.
Not all laminate flooring releases high levels of formaldehyde. Also, studies have shown that after several years, formaldehyde released by products installed in the home may decrease to levels typically found in most homes.
Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and offgassing. Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can pick up a little bit of offgassing.
Bamboo grass easily absorbs water. This leads to the flooring being vulnerable to humidity and water damage, shrinking, warping, swelling, and buckling. Inexpensive or darkened bamboo flooring is susceptible to dents and scratches. In time, bamboo can fade, become marred, and discolour.
Manufacturing vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals, and after installation, vinyl floors have been known to emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations.
Some phthalates are even known to be cancer-causing. Luxury vinyl flooring is known to emit these toxins. When it comes to smaller, less-ventilated areas of your home, the buildup of phthalates will be more severe due to the size of the space and the lack of ventilation.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.