Top 10 Best and Most Sustainable, Eco-friendly, & Healthy Flooring Options

Following One Community’s commitment to upholding the Highest Good, we aim to provide an open source and freely available blueprint for ecologically-sustainable and holistic development. To do so, One Community aims to provide directly applicable information about the most sustainable options for everyday materials and systems like flooring, paints, adhesives, toilets, shower heads, etc. This page is about our most current research to determine the top 10 best, most sustainable and healthy eco-flooring options and also the best flooring companies. We discuss these and more in the following sections:

• Why Top Ten Flooring and Flooring Companies
• Ways to Contribute and Consultants
• The Best, Most Sustainable & Eco-friendly Flooring Companies
  • #1 : Pioneer Millworks
  • #2 : Teragren
  • #3 : Kahrs
  • #4 : Sustainable Flooring
  • #5 : Daltile
  • #6 : Shaw Floors
  • #7 : Milliken Flooring
• Best and Most Sustainable Floor Types
  • #1 : Reclaimed Hardwood
  • #2 : Virgin Hardwood
  • #3 : Cork
  • #4 : Bamboo
  • #5 : Concrete
  • #6 : Laminate
  • #8 : Glass And Ceramic Tiles
  • #9 : Carpet
  • #10 : Vinyl
• LEED Materials Points Explained
  • Building Design And Construction
  • Interior Design And Construction
  • Homes
• Resources
• Summary
• FAQ

 

RELATED PAGES (mouse-over for descriptions and click for complete pages)

 

WHY IDENTIFY TOP 10 FLOORING OPTIONS

The World Health Organization has said, “As the world gets hotter and more crowded, our engines continue to pump out dirty emissions, and half the world has no access to clean fuels or technologies, the very air we breathe is growing dangerously polluted: nine out of ten people now breathe polluted air, which kills seven million people every year.” The health effects of air pollution are serious, and while there is growing awareness about outdoor pollution, indoor pollution is often neglected. Each year, 4 million people die prematurely from illness attributable to household air pollution. Hence it is important to eliminate potential sources of contamination that originate from the outdoors as well as indoors.

Flooring is an essential component of modern living. It takes up ample space and has a significant impact on not only the aesthetic of our surroundings, but on our health and environment as well. In many types of flooring, pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxins are a byproduct that can be off-gassed into the home and can exacerbate indoor pollution. As more and more of people’s time is being spent indoors – particularly sensitive groups such as children and the elderly – more people are at risk from these pollutants. Hence, assessing flooring becomes increasingly important.

Commonly used flooring such as carpet, vinyl, and laminates can be toxic in composition or in the additives used for application such as grout, adhesives, sealants, etc. They can contain toxic chemicals like phthalates (DEHP), dioxins, ethylene dichloride, and even mercury. These chemicals are highly persistent and bioaccumulative, meaning that once they are in our environment and, consequently in our bodies, they remain there. In various studies conducted, these toxins have been found to affect our nervous system, endocrine system, and have even caused changes to DNA. Furthermore, these chemicals are not just dangerous in our indoor environments, they are also released into the outdoor environment during manufacturing and disposal. There are often no safe methods to dispose of such toxins, which means they often find a way into other products that don’t even use these toxins.

Purchasing products with green certifications, while recommended, also isn’t infallible. For example, a product may be certified as safe from VOCs, but implies nothing about the toxins used to produce it. Apart from this, different certifications cover different kinds of hazards increasing the possibility of other potential hazards not being screened. There are also instances of products that were initially cleared for public use but were later found to be toxic and dangerous for health. The infamous Lumber Liquidator’s scandal is one such example. For this reason, these certifications must be cross-referenced, and brands with multiple certifications covering a wide variety of specifications are generally preferred.

To find safe, sustainable flooring options, we have dedicated over 100 hours of research and evaluation to determine not only the top ten best and most sustainable flooring options, but the top sustainable flooring providers also. Deep diving into the best, most sustainable, and healthy flooring options and the companies that sell these products, we evaluated everything from the manufacturing process, to overall company sustainability based on their products and initiatives.

This research has been done 100% by volunteers and independent of any influence or contact by the companies investigated. By doing the research this way, we’ve been able to provide an objective and holistic overview of flooring to better inform our own projects, as well as those of others interested in healthier and more sustainable options. This research covers the best sustainable floorings using the following ordered criteria:

• Health & Safety. Hazardous Material Content (VOCs, Heavy Metals, etc.)
• Sustainability. Certifications (LEED points contribution, WELL Standard Compliance, etc.)
• Cost and Availability
• Practicality/do-it-yourself application
• Durability, Quality, and Allure
• User Feedback

If you’d like to skip all the details and just know the end results, here they are:

 

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO EVOLVING THIS SUSTAINABILITY COMPONENT WITH US

SUGGESTIONS | CONSULTING | MEMBERSHIP | OTHER OPTIONS

 

CLICK THESE ICONS TO JOIN US THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

 

RESEARCHERS FOR THIS COMPONENT:

Lindy Rzonca: Sustainability Analyst
Radhieka Nagpal: Volunteer Researcher

 

THE MOST SUSTAINABLE & ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING COMPANIES

Our main driving force throughout this research was to find companies that primarily focus on sustainability and safety for their products. For ranking, we covered a variety of factors ensuring sustainability and health, and calculated a score for each company. This score included negative points for unsustainable/unhealthy products, giving more weight to companies which only sold sustainable products. We also did our best to establish the authenticity of the claims made by these companies.

The following table shows the results of our research:

For each organization in the list above, we have given (below) an introduction as an overview of the company. For further details, we provide the ‘key-features’ section for each company, followed by a summed-up list of pros and cons. This includes information on their products and company ethics from a holistic sustainability perspective.

 

# 1: PIONEER MILLWORKS

Pioneer Millworks is a customer-oriented company dedicated to operating on the idea of the “triple bottom line”, meaning they equally prioritize people, planet, and profit. Pioneer Millworks accomplishes this through several company-wide initiatives. For instance, they are 30% employee-owned, working to up that number to 100% in the future. Additionally, they are the first (and only) flooring company to be a JUST Company. JUST is a transparency platform with the International Living Future Institute for companies to disclose operations, treatment of employees, and financial and community investment. On top of this, they are a Green America Approved company. Green America is a non-profit defining environmentally and socially responsible companies with a dedication to a number of green and socially responsible practices. As far as their products go, Pioneer Millworks has a wide variety spanning across three home categories: exterior cladding, interior cladding, and flooring. They are Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) Chain of custody certified in the categories of FSC Recycled, FSC Controlled Wood, FSC 100%, and FSC Mix. Pioneer Millworks also has a selection of fresh-sawn wood products, which are sustainably sourced from forests that are carefully managed to strict FSC requirements. However, where this company truly shines is in their reclaimed wood options. According to our ranking, reclaimed wood is the most sustainable option that is currently available on the market, due to its incredibly low embodied carbon and non-toxicity. As an innovative company with a huge selection of their products being reclaimed wood, Pioneer Millworks secures the number one spot on our list.

 

KEY FEATURES

As a result of their commitment to salvaged wood products, pioneer Millworks has the country’s largest selection of salvaged FSC Certified solid flooring, engineered flooring, and paneling. On average, they process 1,062,000 board feet of reclaimed wood a year. Additionally, they have a wide variety of GREENGUARD certified flooring options, and all of their products have health product declarations available. All options (except for their reclaimed teak line) are sourced and manufactured in the United states, which helps keep carbon emissions from transportation down. They have also created their own reclaimed engineered wood products that are FSC-certified^©, formaldehyde-free, UL GreenGUARD gold certified, low-VOC and CARB II compliant. Due to the VOC content (albeit very low, low enough to still be UL GreenGUARD gold certified), this line of products is not recommended by us over their solid/reclaimed options. Overall, Pioneer Millworks is a company with both sustainability and people in mind and extensive offerings of salvaged and reclaimed wood products.

 

PROS

• Even considering transportation and manufacturing, Pioneer Millworks flooring is still carbon negative
• Almost all of their products are grown, reclaimed, and manufactured in the US
• Pioneer Millworks is a chain of custody certified in several FSC Categories: FSC Recycled, FSC Controlled Wood, FSC 100%, and FSC Mix
• A JUST Company
• All of their products are listed in the Mindful MATERIALS library
• Many of their flooring options have a GREENGUARD certification
• Their products contribute points to LEED certification
• This company is Green America Approved

 

CONS

• Some of their product lines contain low amounts of VOCs
• This flooring is on the more expensive side
• Reclaimed wood flooring oftentimes has a more inconsistent look compared to other options

 

#2 : TERAGREN

Teragren is a company that was founded on the principle of being “environmentally, socially, and economically responsible, while providing durable and beautiful products.” Teragren flooring is made from Moso bamboo that is grown in the Zhejiang province of China. While there are more than 1,500 species of bamboo, Moso (Phyllostachys pubescens) is among the hardest, with dense fibers that make for strong timber and durable bamboo products – specifically flooring. In order to ensure their products achieve the qualities that bamboo is so admired for, they only harvest their bamboo between 5-6 years old. When the bamboo reaches maturity at 5-1/2 to 6 years, its fibers are at peak density. By only using bamboo that is harvested at this age, Teragren can guarantee that their products are harder and more stable for enduring lasting beauty and performance. To further assure that their forestry practices are and will remain responsible, Teragren is FSC Chain of Custody certified in two categories: FSC 100% and FSC Mix.

Additionally, Teragren is very responsible when it comes to considering the carbon cost of importing a product from China. While it’s no surprise that the carbon footprint of manufacturing a material that is grown and harvested from across the world might pose a concern from an environmental standpoint, Teragren is committed to minimizing the transportation footprint of their products. Teragren only partners with Clean Cargo member carriers (for ocean transport) and SmartWay carriers (for land transport within North America.) Ultimately, 70% of Teragren deliveries travel at least half of their journey via rail, which uses 76% less fuel per mile than other overland transportation methods.

They have also maintained a commitment to indoor air quality, which is reflected in the high standards the company maintains during the production of their products (see below). Ultimately, it is due to their commitment to healthy indoor air quality and preserving bamboo’s natural propensity for carbon sequestration that Teragren secures a second place slot on this list.

 

KEY FEATURES

Teragren has an impressive track record for ensuring the indoor air quality of their customers. In fact, they have been devoted to designing and manufacturing bamboo and bamboo-mix products that are non-toxic in homes and to the environment. Due to this commitment, all Teragren flooring products are tested and certified to the California 01350 standard for indoor air quality, which is one of, if not the most stringent indoor air quality standards in the world. Additionally, all Teragren products are CARB Phase II compliant, and all flooring emits significantly less formaldehyde than allowed by the CARB standard. It is important to note that the aforementioned standards are also used as benchmarks for the indoor air quality credits in LEED products. These high standards are able to be met because of Teragren’s exceptional quality control methods during the manufacturing process. All products are manufactured in a certified ISO 9001:2000 and 14001 factory with 11 quality-control inspection stations throughout the production process, plus a quality control engineer periodically performs random quality control examinations. Additionally, all products are tested through a US-based independent, third-party ISO/IEC17025 accredited laboratory specializing in the analysis of organic chemicals emitted by and contained in building products.

Teragren is also committed to preserving the naturally sustainable properties of bamboo, which can be lost if a company is not careful. While deforestation has been on a rise in Asia to make way for the increasingly popular bamboo farms, Teragren’s status as an FSC Certification company ensures that they are committed to sustainable forestry. In fact, the raw bamboo used for Teragren products is actually harvested by hand, with each culm being carried out of the forest on foot to maintain the bamboo root systems underneath the forest floor. All of their manufacturing facilities are located within a day’s drive of the forest in order to cut down on emissions and build strong relationships with the family farmers who grow and harvest all of their bamboos. As mentioned earlier, they also partner with both land and sea freight companies to ensure that by the time Teragren flooring is under your feet, it is still carbon-negative – holding on average 0.84 lbs of CO2 per square foot.

 

PROS

• Even considering transportation and manufacturing, Teragren flooring is still carbon negative
• All flooring is FloorScore Certified
• The only company in this list where information about all possible parameters (sustainability, physical description, types and colors, properties, recommended usage, etc.) is present
• Their products contribute points to LEED certification
• Teragren is a chain of custody certified in several FSC Categories: FSC 100% and FSC Mix

 

CONS

• The bamboo for their products is grown and manufactured in China
• Some lines contain trace amounts of VOCs and formaldehyde

 

#3 : KAHRS

Established in 1857, Kahrs provides a variety of wood and vinyl flooring solutions. They are one of the oldest and most innovative manufacturers of engineered wood floors in the world. They have a stellar track record of holistic innovations and patents aimed at reducing toxicity in production processes as well as improving quality and durability. Their commitment to innovative sustainability, health benefits of using wood flooring, and multiple environmental certifications laud them as our number three choice in this comprehensive list. Their goals include improving the appearance, strength, and durability of flooring through innovation.

Their most sustainable option is wood flooring, which is sourced from Sweden, where more trees are planted than harvested. One significant drawback, however, is that they ship their products to North America which tremendously increases their carbon footprint due to transportation. In order to offset this, their production process utilizes the wood completely, as the scraps are sent to a local energy company. One of their patented innovations, a mechanical glueless joint system, has significantly improved the installation of wooden flooring by strengthening the overall flooring structure. Their surface treatments are healthy and sustainable: they are free of harmful solvents and coupled with the variety of finishes they have. While highly renowned for the quality of their products, they are on the higher end of the price range. They operate out of the USA and Canada only.

 

KEY FEATURES

The entirety of Kahrs wood flooring has exhaustive filtering options, which include color, collection, floor type, wood species, thickness, design, grading, surface, and refining treatment. In addition to wood, they offer vinyl flooring. Despite the environmental hazards and health concerns of vinyl, their “Dry Back Enomer collection” is an excellent alternative to consider. It offers the same durability as vinyl but is free from PVC, plasticizers, halogens, and phthalates (a highly toxic compound in normal vinyl). This results in a significant drop in VOC emissions. Other vinyl collections include PVC but not phthalates, which should definitely be avoided in products. Kahrs offers a diverse variety of construction methods (3-layer, 2-layer, veneer), installations (float, glue-down, nail down), and joint systems which include their patented designs (Woodloc® 5S and Woodloc®) as well. They also offer a 5-year warranty for their commercial and activity floors and 15-25 year warranties for products used for residential flooring. Multiple accessories like skirting, molding, installation products, and maintenance & repair products can be found on their website as well. For a user-friendly online experience, they offer real-time visualization of their floorings. For example, a user can upload a picture of his/her bedroom and use the tool to apply different flooring options to the picture, thus acting as real-time visualization of the flooring.

 

PROS

• Wood contributes to healthier indoor air as it does not trap pollutants and is free from toxins, and the majority of their wood is sourced from Sweden where forests have grown in volume by 60% over the past 100 years
• Sustainable use of wood as a manufacturing material stimulates reforestation, which combats climate change by acting as a carbon sink. This is achieved as harvested wood stores carbon, and after harvesting, reforested trees are stimulated to grow again, increasing the absorption of carbon
• 6 environmental certifications which include EMAS, ISO, FSC®/PEFC➢, LEED, AND FLOORSCORE for their wooden floorings; M1-CERTIFICATE and FRENCH A+ which certify air quality standards for their vinyl offerings
• Their patented joint-free installation option allows the flooring to be laid out entirely without glue, which is enormously beneficial to the environment and also adds to the strength of the flooring
• Kährs also claims their wooden flooring is exceptionally stable and renowned for being far less sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity and 75% greater stability than a solid, nail-down wood floor
• Phthalate and PVC-free vinyl flooring collection certified by M1 and French A+ which ensure safe indoor air standards from construction materials to installed floors
• Their manufacturing process is aimed at being environment-friendly: No wood is wasted during manufacturing, all wood is recycled
• Their hardwood floors come in a great variety of colors, species, sizes, patterns, and finishes, from a rusty natural finish to a soft glossy finish, and they work well with underfloor heating
• A distinguishing feature is that the vast majority of their products are wide boards between 5-8+ inches, giving them a truly authentic, straight-from-the forest appeal

 

CONS

• Products cannot be bought online, their geographical presence is limited to North America, and the wood is shipped from Sweden. These factors add tremendously to its carbon footprint. However, it is worth noting that their sustainability report for 2018 claims that wood sold by them held more CO2 than it released
• Their products are on the higher end of the price range
• While all of their vinyl floorings are phthalate-free, only one of their collections is PVC (essentially plastic) free as well. Vinyl can still contain toxic compounds which off-gas (such as lead, dioxin, vinyl chloride, dichloroethane, mercury, etc), adding to indoor pollution. Additionally, when PVC burns it produces hydrogen cyanide and phosgene, two extremely toxic gasses that can cause immediate death given enough exposure. Hence, compared to other substitutes like Linoleum, this is not the best sustainable option
• Their wood does not include reclaimed wood, which is a highly sustainable and effective option

 

# 4 : SUSTAINABLE FLOORING

Based out of Boulder, CO, this company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its branding and products. Their offerings include various types of environmentally-friendly flooring and wall products, designed to be suitable for any residential or commercial application and installation. They are #4 on our list because they offer sustainable wood flooring options that include composite/densified wood, traditional wood, and cork, but they didn’t have a current sustainability report on their website. A distinguishing feature in transparency is that they provide comprehensive information (including information on LEED certification points contribution) about their products in the product description. While they do not have a sustainability report available to confidently back their claims, they do provide multiple certifications in safety and sustainability. While emphasizing sustainability, they provide an aesthetic selection of products in a variety of colors, dimensions, and finishes with detailed instructions on installation. They supply their products all over North America and have several trademarked innovations.

 

KEY FEATURES

Their product description involves details about physical appearance, finish, hardness, edge details, and installation. They also provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)7, CSI Spec, and E84 Fire Testing Results8 for each product to maintain transparency. Additionally, installation guides, accessories available for particular products, care and maintenance guides, and a cut sheet are provided. Their warranty varies depending on residential vs. commercial use, and relevant details are provided for each product. They have their own SpecMatcher Service, which is a product and specification solution service that helps provide users with customized solutions. Each product has its own ‘Sustainability Story’ that describes the unique sustainability and safety of the product as compared to conventional toxic products. Since they own all parts of the value chain, they can custom build for any requirements customers may have.

 

PROS

• Their products contribute to LEED certification points, the standards for which are listed for each product
• Transparency with regard to details on materials used, while simultaneously highlighting harmful materials not used
• The only company in this list where information about all possible parameters (sustainability, physical description, types and colors, properties, recommended usage, etc.) is present
• Samples are available for order online
• Their Specmatcher service can customize solutions based on a comprehensive list of parameters such as project timeline, type of wood species and construction, finish, installation method, etc.

 

CONS

• A sustainability report could not be found, we consider this essential for any company to back its claims on sustainability
• No mention of their goals from a sustainability perspective
• No substitute for marble/tile look flooring

 

#5 : DALTILE

Founded in the 1940s, Dal Tile‘s mission statement is that great design can help create better places to live and work that are both innovative and earth-friendly. They commit to sustainability by reusing, recycling, and reducing both solid materials and water used for manufacturing. An extraordinary claim they make is that more than 98% of their manufactured products contain pre-consumer (post-industrial) recycled materials. If they are manufactured holistically (i.e. reuse of energy used in manufacturing), tiles are an extremely healthy product, as they are devoid of VOCs and can have an extremely low carbon footprint. However, there is no mention of such a practice followed by Dal Tiles, so the high consumption of energy adds significantly to their carbon footprint. Due to this feature and their lack of alternatives, Dal Tile is ranked 5th. Nevertheless, their sustainability initiatives are praise-worthy and include recycling office supplies, which help builders earn LEED certification credits through their products and achieve green certifications on building projects. Their tiles come with a variety of appearances including wood, marble, stone, concrete, fabric, metallic, etc. They promote ceramic and porcelain tiles as ‘Healthy Tiles’ because they provide even a reduced impact on health and the environment due to fewer VOCs (though it is important to note that porcelain, while stronger, utilizes even higher kiln temperatures for its making). They currently operate 11 manufacturing facilities in North America, five Regional Distribution Centers, and over 250 Sales Service Centers (SSCs) throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

 

KEY FEATURES

Their manufacturing process includes some distinguishable measures. They focus on recovering and reusing wastewater at their plants, and the materials which cannot be used in tiles go to state-approved beneficial reuse programs. They have strategically placed manufacturing plants, regional distribution centers, sales centers, and showrooms to decrease fuel consumption and emissions. As a company, they have undertaken various initiatives towards sustainability. Their corporate office has recycled over 340 tons of cardboard and office paper since 2003. Through their affiliation with the U.S. Green Building Council12, they offer online tools on their website that make it easier to determine how their products can help in achieving LEED certification credits. Their tiles are outfitted with water-based glazes, which use a minimal amount of solvents, thus avoiding harmful VOCs. They are green certified and completely free of VOCs, plastics, and dangerous chemicals present in other flooring types. They offer a 1-year warranty on their products.

 

PROS

• Green manufacturing process which ensures everything is recycled/reclaimed (pre-consumer and post-industrial)
• Dal Tile products help builders earn LEED certification credits and achieve green certifications on building projects
• Their manufacturing process has reduced energy usage and they claim their efficiency improvements will help save 11 million kilowatts of electricity per year
• Tiles contain no VOCs (especially ceramic and porcelain) and they don’t include formaldehyde, PVC, or allergens either
• Samples can be ordered online – 1 sample costs about $8 but they offer them free for trade professionals

 

CONS

• Tiles require high use of energy, which isn’t the most sustainable manufacturing process
• While they have increased their energy efficiency, there is no claim of reuse/diversion of energy
• No alternative flooring options are provided by them apart from tiles
• Lack of extensive geographical coverage

 

#6 : SHAW FLOORS

Shaw Floors is a company which shows promise in moving towards sustainability. They supply carpet, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, tile, and stone flooring products, and synthetic turf to residential and commercial markets worldwide. Their carpet offerings are better than traditional options because they can be washed, which can make them healthier. While they’re still not on par with others in innovation, compared to the other companies on this list, Shaw’s website provides the easiest access to its sustainability reports. The reports show promise and their transparency in this aspect is commendable. Almost 90 percent of their products are Cradle to Cradle Certified➢, a measure of safer, more sustainable products. An astounding claim made by them is that since 2006, they have reclaimed and recycled almost 1 billion pounds of post-consumer carpet.

Their flooring is excellent for users focusing on better flooring acoustics and they have a patented acoustics tool to hear the difference between different floorings. To maintain transparency, they maintain Health Product Declarations (HPDs) for all commercial carpet products and Living Building Challenge (LBC) Compliant Declare labels for EcoWorx® tile products. They are located throughout the U.S. as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, India, Mexico, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. They are ranked 6th because of the many unhealthy products they offer and importing most of their materials.

 

KEY FEATURES

A unique carpeting product they offer is Floorigami, which is a stick-on-floor-mat that is durable, easier to install and maintain, and is an excellent alternative to rugs or mats. It can be washed, unlike traditional carpets, which justifies their claim of being kid- and pet-friendly. Their sustainability initiatives focus on reducing their energy usage and investing in innovations for improving quality and sustainability. They have achieved carbon neutrality in commercial carpet manufacturing operations across all their branches. They are also a signatory to the UN Global Compact, a widely recognized set of principles focused on upholding and protecting human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption standards. They have implemented the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact throughout their supply chain via a sustainable sourcing policy and related terms and conditions for all suppliers. They provide detailed information on their products which includes maintenance, warranty and installation guidelines.

 

PROS

• Their hardwood is FSC-certified and they have turned more than 3 billion clear plastic bottles into carpet fiber by recycling them since 2009
• They have been successful in reducing their use of water by ⦜ compared to 2010
• Floorigami is a healthy, pet- and kid-friendly carpeting option
• Their PET resilient flooring is made from 40% recycled content that can be recycled into new PET resilient flooring at the end of its life
• Their vinyl tiles contain no ortho-phthalate plasticizers (including benzyl butyl phthalate)
• They offer a color match service to visualize their flooring in your rooms and a robust and diverse catalog of products, including various finishes and installations
• They have a wide geographical presence

 

CONS

• Disadvantages which arise from using vinyl flooring (a plastic, unsustainable option) and tiles (requiring high kiln temperatures for manufacturing)
• Sustainability-focused innovation in their products is not as competent as compared to other companies in this list
• Their wood does not include reclaimed wood, which is a highly sustainable and effective option

 

#7 : MILLIKEN FLOORING

Milliken’s Flooring Covering division specializes in flooring products which they have been reusing and recycling since the 1900s, long before mainstream awareness about sustainable development even existed. Their products include Carpet (modular, broadloom, and mats), Luxury Vinyl Tile, and Protective Flooring. The protective flooring segment includes 3 varieties that incorporate innovations such as the ability to trap dust and moisture, seamless transition from carpet to floor, easy installation, etc. Some of these designs are patented. While carpets are efficient in maintenance and durability, they are not as effective as hardwood flooring (among other alternatives) in maintaining a healthy environment. Their carpets consist of 4-6% of a phthalate and PET, which can be highly toxic and contribute to VOCs. Their vinyl offering isn’t an environmentally-friendly option either, constituting 34% PVC, especially when better alternatives such as those by Kahrs exist. Hence, because of an absence of a sustainable product, they rank last on this list. Still, their commitment to sustainability and recycling has always taken center-stage in its policy and actions, with multiple initiatives to back its claims.

Milliken owns the world’s largest textile research facility to create innovations that eliminate waste, increase product performance, preserve resources, and shorten the journey to sustainability. A remarkable aspect of their company is their Supplier Code of Conduct through which they expect their suppliers to uphold a commitment to diversity, sustainability, and ethics. This forms the agreement with their suppliers, and is phenomenal from a sustainability perspective because it promotes environmentally-friendly practices at all levels of the supply chain. Through conservation and efficiency, their floor covering division has reduced its global eco-footprint by 50% over 15 years. Their goals are zero landfills, zero waste generation, and zero air emissions. They have implemented a diversity of initiatives in place to achieve these goals. Of the companies on this list, they have the greatest diversity of geographical coverage, manufacturing in the US, Mexico, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, China, and Australia, and supplying from the US, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Australia/NZ.

 

KEY FEATURES

Milliken’s manufacturing facilities are ISO-14001 ” the highest global standard for environmental responsibility, and they were the first U.S. company to obtain carpet manufacturing certification from the ISO 9000 Series Standard for quality management. Their products undergo scrutiny using Life Cycle Analysis against the ISO 14040 Environmental Management Standard before implementation. All of their U.S. plants are certified as OSHA VPP STAR and all their global locations meet or exceed safety regulatory standards. A distinguishing feature is their landfill diversion program, which accepts old carpets that can then be recycled into new carpets that are reused in other buildings, down-cycled into other products, donated to nonprofit organizations, or sent to waste-to-energy facilities. Initiatives like these have the potential to cause a tremendous impact on solving waste management in landfills. Their cushion-backed carpet is one of their key products specifically designed to promote standing in workplaces, which can reduce muscle fatigue by 25% and heel impact loads by 30% – all while lasting up to 50% longer than conventional carpet tiles. They also offer a floor-covering visualizer tool similar to the one by Kahrs.

 

PROS

• Highest global environmental standard for their manufacturing sites
• Transparency about their claims: they share the environmental impacts of their products using Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
• 100% of their post-consumer or post-industrial plastic content is recycled along with their water usage. Some of their products utilize recycled content too
• They have set ambitious goals for their 2025 vision, much like the UN’s SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) centered around reducing their global footprint
• Their Landfill Diversion program recycles carpets to reduce negative impacts on landfills
• Diverse and substantial geographical presence
• Carpets offer ease of installation and maintenance
• Option to filter products to view only recycled ones
• A unique variety of aesthetic carpet designs

 

CONS

• The vinyl tiles sold by them, which forms one-third of their product segment, utilize no recycled content and constitute 34% PVC. A highly unsustainable option when PVC and phthalate-free vinyl tiles and linoleum (a better substitute) exist
• Their carpets consist of 4-6% of a phthalate and PET (though recycled), which can be toxic and add to air pollution in the form of VOCs (Raw materials report)
• Carpets are susceptible to trapping dust and causing air pollution/allergies

 

TOP TEN BEST AND MOST
SUSTAINABLE FLOOR TYPES

The spreadsheet below shows the top ten most sustainable flooring types ranked using a diverse range of factors. We benchmarked each flooring against these predefined factors to create a cumulative score with which to rank them. We considered the full life-cycle of the product to include factors involving sustainability, impact on health, durability, cost, appearance, etc. For products with tied scores, we placed more weight on the levels of toxicity, which product was contributed first, and then durability.

Note: New technology is always being invented. Check the company websites for their newest models. Even as this page becomes dated, the featured products below can be used as a good base-level starting point for your selection process. We wouldn’t recommend any product that doesn’t meet or surpass the quality and performance of the products listed here. This is how we intend to use this page as we build the Duplicable City Center and 7 sustainable village models. If better products are found when we start making our purchases, we’ll open source share here what they are and our personal experience using them.

 

#1 : RECLAIMED HARDWOOD

Reclaimed wooden flooring was chosen as our #1 choice because of its ability to improve the indoor environment while being a renewable resource if harvested sustainably. It also ranked #1 for its high durability and a nearly negligible toxicity quotient. Deforestation is a major concern for using wood, which can be offset by using products made from reclaimed wood. Overall, the carbon footprint for reclaimed wood is low, with transportation being the primary contribution. However, this is generally not a large cause for concern as most reclaimed wood in the US is sourced and manufactured in the US, thus transportation still has a relatively low impact on the overall carbon footprint. Despite the generally low carbon footprint and low toxicity of this material, it is important to note a few considerations when analyzing reclaimed wood. Hardwood flooring can be finished with solutions that emit VOCs, and engineered wood is susceptible to emitting formaldehyde (which is a carcinogen.) For this reason, we find a reclaimed wood option with a non-toxic wooden finish is the most environmentally-friendly option. Since it’s reclaimed, many options and brands can contribute to LEED certification points. Additionally, reusing wood reduces deforestation and milling reused wood uses fewer resources, thus having less of an environmental impact than fresh trees. The best starting places for finding non-toxic/chemical-free salvaged wood are GreenGuard Gold, CA Section 01350 certified options, FloorScore Certified, or using reclaimed hardwood that is FSC certified.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Non-toxic, improves indoor air quality
• Low carbon footprint in manufacturing
• Reclaimed hardwood flooring gives wood otherwise destined for landfill a second life
• Highly durable
• Can contribute to LEED certification points

 

CONS

• Reclaimed wood might have been exposed to mold, chemicals, insects, and harmful chemicals
• Installation options often require toxic adhesives. Options without use of adhesives exist though (like using interlocking joints/pinning the flooring). Non-toxic adhesives are also an option, click here for our research on these
• Prone to being spoiled by excess moisture, scratches, dents, termite attacks
• Slightly expensive at $8-$10 per square foot

 

#2 : VIRGIN HARDWOOD

Virgin wood was chosen as our #2 choice because, while it has many of the great qualities of reclaimed wood, it comes with a much greater carbon footprint. Like many of the flooring options detailed in this tutorial, hardwood that is used as a material for flooring can vary broadly in its sustainability. There are several common practices that can dramatically decrease the sustainability of this material, including (but not limited to) the following: wood harvested from tropical forests, genetically engineered monoculture tree farms, wood treated with pesticides, flooring finished with solutions that contain high levels of VOCs, and the use of formaldehyde and/or solvents in the production and/or installation process. It is important to consider these potential drawbacks when one is choosing virgin hardwood as a flooring option.

However, there are indicators that can act as guidelines when looking for the most sustainable hardwood floors. The first of these options is a FSC Certification. The Forest Stewardship Council has developed a set of 10 principles and 57 Criteria that apply to FSC-certified forests around the world. These principles are in place to both ensure that forest management is responsible, efficient, and respectful to indigenous communities and workers, as well as verify that these practices are maintained over time (amongst other objectives).

Additionally, it is important to note that hardwood floors are naturally non-toxic. The finish used can change this, and thus is an important factor when considering the toxicity of a floor. The finish of the floor should be ultra low/no VOC and Formaldehyde-free. Take a look at our research on sustainable finishes and stains for suggestions.

The aforementioned information sounds very similar to that of reclaimed wood, but virgin hardwood scores lower than salvaged hardwood in this ranking due to the significantly increased carbon footprint that comes from harvesting virgin wood. For instance, according to a life cycle analysis sponsored by the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, it was found that “cumulative energy consumed in producing virgin compared to reclaimed…. wood flooring was about…. 13 times greater.” It is for this reason that virgin hardwood floors score second.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Non-toxic, improves indoor air quality
• Highly durable
• Can contribute to LEED certification points
• Compared to reclaimed wood, does not run the same risk of potentially being exposed to molds, chemicals, insects and harmful chemicals as reclaimed wood

 

CONS

• Installation options often require toxic adhesives. Options without use of adhesives exist though (like using interlocking joints/pinning the flooring). Non-toxic adhesives are also an option, click here for our research on these
• Prone to being spoiled from excess moisture, scratches, dents, termite attacks
• Higher carbon footprint for harvesting/manufacturing than reclaimed wood counterparts

 

#3 : CORK

While cork is technically tied with virgin wood, cork flooring was chosen as our #3 choice because it is not as durable or free from toxicity as wood. This is due to the binders used to make cork a stable flooring material. However, cork’s anti-allergen/anti-microbial properties, fire retardant properties, thermally and acoustically insulated nature, and extremely sustainable harvesting and manufacturing process make it a very close competitor to hardwood. The manufacturing process of cork generates almost no waste and has a very small carbon footprint. There has also been some discussion that overuse of cork is environmentally harmful, but this has been proven to be a myth. In the process of its manufacturing, only the bark is harvested to retrieve cork, while the trees continue to flourish and the bark is replenished every nine years. Each time the cork is harvested, the tree sequesters more CO2 to aid in the bark regeneration process, meaning harvesting cork does more good than leaving it untouched! Unfortunately, cork is produced almost exclusively in Europe, which significantly adds to its carbon footprint when it is used in North America.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Anti-microbial properties, anti-allergen, and insect repellant
• Sustainable harvesting process fights global warming
• Extremely low carbon footprint
• No-waste manufacturing process
• Contributes to LEED certification Points
• Installation Process: Floating process is preferred over glue-down process due to potential toxicity of adhesives
• Soft cushioning effect, ideal for foot support
• Cheaper than wood, at $4-$8 per square foot

 

CONS

• Best used in humidity levels of 30-60% due to its potential to warp
• Boilers used to prepare cork add to the carbon footprint
• Cork can be scratched, show indentations, and is prone to damage from pets with long nails
• Cork is prone to fading due to exposure to sunlight
• Less durable, good for around 10-30 years
• Cork is almost exclusively imported from Portugal and Spain, resulting in a high transportation cost of CO2.

 

#4 : BAMBOO

Bamboo was chosen as our fourth choice because, while it is great at sequestering carbon, it also requires a significant amount of carbon and energy to transport and manufacture. While in recent years, bamboo has become the darling of the sustainable building movement, the situation is more complicated than it is often made out to be. Bamboo is recognized by several characteristics, especially its incredible propensity for growing – with some species known to grow up to 36 inches in a 24 hour period. For this reason, bamboo has an ability to sequester carbon at an exceptionally high rate – much higher than its tree counterparts. In fact, according to several studies, bamboo has been known to sequester 122-286 tons of carbon per hectare per year (depending on the age and species of the bamboo.) While this makes bamboo a naturally environmentally-friendly choice, there are several factors that can make this material less sustainable by the time it gets underneath one’s feet. Firstly, due to the rising popularity of bamboo, many bamboo farmers have expanded their operations, often illegally converting natural forests into bamboo plantations and destroying the native ecosystems. Additionally, most industrial bamboo is grown in Asia and South America, meaning the carbon cost of transportation can be quite high, depending on how efficient the freighter is (typically freight by sea has the lowest carbon emissions of transportation methods). Lastly, manufacturing of bamboo can have added urea-formaldehyde and VOCs, which reduce indoor air quality. However, despite these potential factors that can reduce the sustainability and increase the toxicity of bamboo, being aware of these potential setbacks can help one make an informed decision addressing these concerns. Bamboo that is as sustainable as the claims make it out to be does exist, and is a fantastic, sustainable option. For this reason bamboo is number 4 on our list. However, it is of paramount importance that options are chosen that are FSC-certified, urea-formaldehyde free, VOC free, and/or have third party certifications such as GREENGUARD, Declared Red List Free, or FloorScore certified.

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Renewable resource, bamboo shoots can sprout ever year for harvesting
• Biodegradable and recyclable
• Free from termites, fungus
• An underlayment is needed for the nailing down or floating installation process of a bamboo floor, which can be a sustainable installation process so long as the underlayments chosen are free of toxins
• Bamboo is denser than oak, warps less, and is sturdier
• High in strength, but durable up to 25 years only
• Bamboo costs between $5 to $9 per square foot
• Bamboo has a high capacity for absorbing carbon

 

CONS

In order to minimize environmental and health impacts, choose providers and products that are FSC-certified, urea-formaldehyde free, VOC free and/or those that have third party certifications such as GREENGUARD, Declared Red List Free, or FloorScore certified. This addresses many of the following cons.

• High transportation carbon footprint due to mass production in Southeast Asia
• Overuse can lead to converted forests into bamboo plantations that destroy local ecosystems – if bamboo is FSC-Certified, this is not the case
• Use of urea/formaldehyde in manufacturing is extremely toxic
• Unsustainable manufacturing process which utilizes boilers for carbonization (removal of insects, pesticides, etc.)
• May release toxic carcinogenic VOCs
• Energy intensive manufacturing process requiring boilers

 

#5 : CONCRETE

Polished concrete was chosen as our #5 choice because it lasts indefinitely and is non-toxic. It is ranked below wood, cork, and bamboo because of its massive-carbon-footprint manufacturing process that is very energy intensive. Concrete can be made with waste byproducts from power plants, steel mills, and similar manufacturing facilities using limestone as a primary raw material. This is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. However, a high amount of heat is needed to manufacture concrete, which produces carbon dioxide and results in a high carbon footprint. Concrete is an anti-allergen because it doesn’t support growth of toxic mold, which is a common source of allergies, infections, and other health ailments. It works well with in-floor radiant heating, is inert/chemically stable, biodegradable, and the best flooring option for absorbing heat from the sun during the day and releasing the stored heat as needed at night. While it can be used as a subfloor, if polished and tinted to exotic colors, there is no need for traditional flooring to be put over it.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Anti-allergen, helps maintain clean air and works well with in-floor radiant heating
• Biodegradable and inert/chemically stable, it can make use of waste byproducts and limestone, an abundant earth mineral
• Absorbs heat during the day, releasing it during the night
• Renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable
• Heavy in weight, needs a strong structure for support
• Promotes good air quality
• Extremely durable, lasts a lifetime
• Does not scratch or dent, easy to maintain
• Regulates temperature: Absorbs heat during the day, releases it at night

 

CONS

• Energy intensive manufacturing process which produces CO2
• May be a hard surface to walk on, especially raising concerns for kids and elderly
• Susceptible to moisture, can cause cracks if not installed properly
• Colorizing agents used can be toxic

 

#6 : LAMINATE

Laminate flooring was chosen as our #6 choice because, while its carbon footprint is similar to that of linoleum (see below), it is less toxic and made from a simpler process of combining renewable (mostly wood) resources. Formaldehyde is still a binding adhesive used in its manufacturing though, which has the potential to off-gas harmful VOCs. Laminate is cheap, renewable, partially recyclable, and mostly biodegradable (except for the top layer consisting of melamine-formaldehyde resin doesn’t break down easily). Manufacturing laminate makes use of pressing composite wood together at high temperatures. Different layers are bonded together using formaldehyde binding adhesives, hence it is important to ensure that the end product is certified against emitting formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen. For sustainability, it is essential that the wood used is FSC/PEFC certified. These floorings are recyclable and its waste products (bark, sawdust, or mis-cut wood) can be used in their manufacturing, cutting down on the environmental impact of just using wood. While raw materials are easy to procure, manufacturing requires high heat and pressure which adds to the carbon footprint.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Manufacturing process can source waste products such as bark or sawdust, along with wood, to minimize environmental impact
• Can be installed easily using a floating process, reducing the need for adhesives
• More scratch-resistant and moisture-resistant than hardwood
• Low carbon footprint from sourcing raw materials, high footprint from manufacturing
• Renewable and recyclable resource, but not entirely biodegradable
• Durable in resisting scratches, moisture, and wear and tear
• Cheaper alternative to hardwood costing between $3 and $8 per square foot

 

CONS

• Heat intensive manufacturing process increases carbon footprint
• May be less visually appealing than hardwood
• Use of formaldehyde (a carcinogen) is toxic to the environment and potentially to the end user if it ends up being released as a VOC
• Not entirely biodegradable
• Durability of about 10-30 years

 

#7 : LINOLEUM

Linoleum was chosen as our #7 choice because it is a natural and biodegradable flooring choice as its primary raw materials (naturally occurring linseed oil, cork dust, and tree resin) are abundant and renewable. While the carbon footprint from sourcing the raw materials is low, it is high from the manufacturing process. Additionally, linoleum tends to release VOCs (and a bad odor) both in the home and during manufacturing due to the oxidization of the linseed oil. Linoleum is a fire retardant, is water resistant, and provides a cushioning effect. It can also be hardened to resist indentation and is not susceptible to damage from fats, oils, greases, or organic solvents.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Naturally sourced raw materials
• Biodegradable and recyclable
• As Linoleum ages, it becomes stronger and hence more durable than vinyl, its non-green counterpart
• Fire retardant, water resistant, provides a cushioning effect
• Subfloors and adhesives are needed for installation; heat welding option requires use of a welding gun
• Low carbon footprint from sourcing raw materials, high footprint from manufacturing
• Not susceptible to damage from fats, oils, greases, or organic solvents
• High in strength
• Durability of about 40 years and costs between $2 and $30 per square foot

 

CONS

• Manufacturing process is energy intensive and releases VOCs into the atmosphere
• Prone to indentation from sharp objects
• Use in wet areas or above wet floors can give a rancid odor
• Not suitable for people sensitive to bad odor, as it may give off VOCs with a strong odor
• May darken on exposure to sunlight, hence may need protective coating

 

 

#8 : CERAMIC AND GLASS TILES

Tile was chosen as our #8 choice, primarily because grout is highly toxic and its carbon footprint is higher than laminate and linoleum. However, tile is recyclable, and made from ceramic and glass which are abundant and have high durability. While ceramic tiles themselves have little or no VOC emissions, the manufacturing process is highly energy-intensive. Measures can be taken to raise the green factor, such as using recycled materials and sourcing tiles locally, but even then it remains less sustainable than the choices above. The use of high energy in manufacturing ensures almost no off-gassing (release of VOCs), but the environmental impact of this high-energy process is huge. Additionally, some ceramic tiles are glazed for a glossy appearance, which often utilizes solvents and chemicals that can be toxic to the environment. Glass tiles are preferred over ceramic because they can be made from 100 percent recycled materials, while maintaining other benefits.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Tiles are renewable and recyclable
• Glass tiles can be made from 100% recycled materials, which also utilizes lower kiln temperatures as compared to ceramic
• Locally produced tiles reduce the carbon footprint and should be preferred
• Tiles are highly durable, lasting for more than 75 years
• Tiles by themselves do not emit any VOCs, however the grout used in installation may
• Tiles are non-absorptive and won’t mildew or mold in damp environments
• Tiles do not contain any toxic chemicals and don’t harbor mold spores, pollen, dust, etc.
• Tiles cost between $5 to $40 per square foot

 

CONS

• Energy intensive manufacturing process, more so for ceramic vs. glass tiles
• Grout used to seal in-between tiles can be highly toxic due to the presence of silica. This can cause respiratory issues for some people.
• Glass tiles are prone to scratching, but reflect light rather than absorb, unlike ceramic
• Glass tiles are usually expensive

 

#9 : CARPET

Carpet was chosen as our #9 choice, because while it (especially wool carpet) is similar to tiles in factors such as carbon footprint, toxicity, and durability, carpet is not biodegradable, and is rarely recycled. This means carpet typically ends up in landfills. Its tendency to attract dust contributes to allergies, most are made with materials that off-gas VOCs, and they are prone to insects. However, carpets are more sustainable than tiles in the installation process by utilizing a hook-fastener system of installation. They are also highly durable and have a high strength, along with the benefit of being soft to walk on and comfortable to sit on, making them favorable for kids and the elderly. Wool carpets are a renewable, sustainable option that also can improve the indoor air quality by absorbing pollutant gases thanks to the complex chemistry of wool fibers. Despite being renewable, the tufting process required to make carpets moderately increases the carbon footprint of this flooring. Unfortunately, most carpet is not wool, and typically made using VOCs or toxins that are harmful to the environment and to our health. Much of the conventional new carpeting uses substances that are extremely toxic to health such as PFAS, a form of PVC which has even been banned in various products (Click here to learn about adopted and pending bans across the U.S.). Natural substances, like wool and jute, offer a toxic-free alternative to carpeting so long as they are not subjected to chemicals such as pesticide baths to control parasites and insects. When choosing carpet products, it is important though to choose Green Label Plus16 or GREENGUARD certified carpeting and avoid ones with toxic stain or waterproofing treatments.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Highly durable, high in strength, and soft and comfortable to walk on
• Wool carpets, when certified, are sustainable and can improve indoor air quality by absorbing pollutant gases
• Wool carpets have an inherent elasticity and resilience that prevents crushing, because of this their longevity can outlast synthetic fiber carpets
• They are flame resistant in nature, hence suitable for crowded public facilities
  Some new forms of carpet (stick-on floorigami variety) can be washed, which reduces the potential toxicity due to VOCs
• High water absorbency which can be beneficial in moderating humidity
• Sustainable installation process without use of adhesives

 

CONS

• High water absorbency, but large amounts of accumulated water may lead to mildew
• Use of tufting machines in manufacturing adds to the carbon footprint
• Some carpets utilize PVCs which are harmful to health
• Prone to insects and attract dust
• Use of pesticides in raw materials can be toxic in the end product
• Expensive over synthetic counterparts costing between $5 to $26 per square foot

 

#10 : VINYL

Ranked #10, Vinyl flooring came in last place due to the high amount of energy it takes to manufacture, and the extremely carcinogenic and toxic by-products that are generally a result of the manufacturing process. While there are companies that attempt to enhance the sustainability and decrease the toxicity of vinyl flooring, these options are significantly more expensive and ultimately, the main ingredient in vinyl flooring (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is inherently an unsustainable material.

One of the most concerning traits of vinyl flooring is the toxicity that is associated with it. During the manufacturing process of the chloride in PVC, many toxic, bioaccumulative chemicals and compounds are created. These toxins will ultimately be off-gassed for months and often even years after the manufacturing process. Some of the compounds that can be found include the following: mercury, lead, cadmium, phthalates, dioxins, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride. Additionally, when PVC burns it produces hydrogen cyanide and phosgene, two extremely toxic gasses that with enough exposure can cause immediate death. From an emissions standpoint, vinyl flooring is also not a good choice as it requires a high amount of energy to manufacture. The process includes several steps, including melting, pressing, baking, and stretching. This entire multi-step process is energy intensive, and poses a particular risk to those working on the manufacturing process. Lastly, vinyl’s end-of-life is not good. While the post-industrial (pre-consumer) flooring scraps can be recycled, adhesives used in the application process (which can generally be found to contain toxins themselves) render the flooring virtually impossible to recycle after installation. Ultimately, due to its high energy requirements, toxicity, and poor end-of-life, vinyl floor is at the bottom of our list and is not recommended. If vinyl must be chosen, look for low-VOC brands and low-VOC adhesives.

 

KEY FEATURES / PROS

• Due to its plastic qualities, vinyl flooring is extremely water-resistant
• At between $2- $6 a square foot, this is the most affordable option on our list
• Some luxury options exist that are aesthetically pleasing and mirror the look of wood flooring, which traditionally comes at a significantly higher cost

 

CONS

• Highly toxic for both those who work in manufacturing vinyl and those who utilize the material in their homes
• The many-step process of manufacturing is energy intensive
• Due to adhesives used during the installation process, vinyl flooring is not recyclable
• While a few low-VOC options exist, adhesives used for installation are generally equally toxic, if not more, than the vinyl itself

 

LEED MATERIALS POINTS EXPLAINED

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system propagated by the US Green Building Council as the leading standard for green buildings worldwide. Short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED Version 4 (the most current as of this writing) is designed to standardize and reward environmentally conscious building practices through assessing water usage, energy efficiency, environmental impact, materials selection, air quality, and countless other environmentally relevant factors. With independent crediting systems for newly constructed buildings (Building Design and Construction), interior construction (Interior Design and Construction), individual homes (Homes), whole neighborhoods (Neighborhood Development), and even entire cities (Cities and Communities), LEED v4 aims to provide a comprehensive blueprint for any project team, business, or individual seeking to undergo a more ecologically minded construction process.

Projects that participate in the LEED program are awarded points based on their compliance with the LEED v4 Standards and on a scale of 0-100. Depending on the number of points accumulated, projects are awarded a level of certification as follows:

• 40-49 points: LEED Certified
• 50-59 points: LEED Silver Certified
• 60-79 points: LEED Gold Certified
• 80+ points: LEED Platinum Certified

Achieving LEED Certification demonstrates an intense commitment to sustainability and ecological responsibility and can be immensely beneficial for improving the public image of a company. Financially speaking, LEED Certification can often lead to significant tax credits and has also been shown to increase property values. LEED Certification can be advantageous to businesses and normal people alike and we support its use as a standard for sustainable development.

Paints, stains, sealants, and primers are a group of products crucial to achieving LEED Certification. Using products compliant with LEED Standards is an invaluable tool for accruing points and certification. Depending on which area of LEED Certification one is aiming for, flooring selection can affect a portion of the necessary points. The amount of potential points, including paints etc. and organized by LEED Certification area, is as follows:

• Building Design and Construction (BD+C) – 9 points
• Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) – 7 points
• Homes – 3 points
• Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) – n/a
• Neighborhood Development (ND) – n/a
• Cities and Communities – n/a

 

BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

In order to secure the maximum of 9 points, one must complete the following requirements:

1. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES – ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS

Materials and Resources – Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declarations (1-2 points): This component stresses selecting products from manufacturers with completed and environmentally preferable life-cycle impact analyses for their products. There are 2 options within the credit, each worth 1 point. Completing both earns the maximum of 2 points.

Option 1 – Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): In order to earn this credit, the project team must provide proof that they have used at least 20 different products sourced from at least 5 different manufacturers, meeting at least 1 of the following criteria:

• Products have publicly available and critically reviewed life-cycle assessments conforming to ISO 14044.
• Products have publicly available Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) as standardized by ISO 14025 and ISO 21930. EPDs must have at least cradle to gate scope, with industry-wide and/or product-specific certification.
• Alternatively, project teams can use USGBC approved products and/or certification programs.

Option 2 – Multi-Attribute Optimization: In order to earn this credit, project teams use 3rd-party products with available life-cycle analyses demonstrating reduction above industry averages in:

• Global Warming Potential (GWP)
• Depletion of Ozone Layer
• Acidification (land/water)
• Eutrophication
• Tropospheric Ozone Formation
• Depletion of Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Industry averages can be retrieved from relevant Environmental Product Declarations in same product categories. To ease the process, use products/materials from the USGBC List of Certified Products/Materials. In addition, products sourced within 100 miles yield 200% value consideration.

 

2. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES – MATERIAL INGREDIENTS

Materials and Resources – Building Product Disclosure & Optimization – Material Ingredients (1-2 points): This component emphasizes material ingredient reporting and certification. There are 3 options within the credit, each worth 1 point. Complete 2 of the 3 following options for a maximum of 2 points.

Option 1 – Material Ingredient Reporting: In order to earn this credit, one must initially utilize (and provide evidence of utilization of) at least 20 different products from at least 5 different manufacturers. With that prerequisite completed, one must then provide a fully realized chemical inventory for each product, conforming to or certified by a USGBC approved program/standard. USGBC approved chemical inventory services are as follows:

• Manufacturer Inventory – chemical inventories conducted by manufacturer of product(s) are accepted if they are registered through the Chemical Abstract Service Registration Number (CASRN) service and/or the European Community Number (EC Number) service. If not, then manufacturer inventories are not considered for crediting. If a product is protected from disclosing the above due to trade secret or intellectual property status, refer to p.97 LEED BD+C Handbook
• Health Product Declaration certification
• Cradle to Cradle – certification at v2 Basic or v3 Bronze level
• Declare Product label certification
• ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard
• Cradle to Cradle Material Health Certificate
• ProductLens Certification
• NSF/AINSI 336: Sustainability Assessment for Commercial Furnishings Fabric

Option 2 – Material Ingredient Optimization: To achieve this credit, at least 25% of products (by cost) must have documented material ingredient optimization crediting from one or more of the following USGBC approved programs:

• GreenScreen v.1.2 Benchmark
• Cradle to Cradle Certification
• REACH Authorization List

Option 3 – Product Manufacturer Supply Chain Optimization: To achieve this credit, at least 25% (by cost) of building products must meet the following criteria: Products must be sourced from product manufacturers with comprehensive safety, health, hazard, and risk program validations, which document at least 99% of materials used.

If the product manufacturer has conducted and completed third party verification that meets the following criteria, that would qualify as well:

• There is active, transparent effort to evaluate chemical makeup of all products, especially those with more pressing hazard, exposure, and use information.
• There is documentation on health, safety, and environmental characteristics of chemical ingredients.
• There is active effort to productively manage products based on above information on characteristics.
• Optimize health, safety, environmental impacts when designing and improving chemical ingredients.
• Communicate, receive, evaluate chemical ingredient safety and stewardship information along supply chain.
• Has publicly available information about chemical ingredients at every point along the supply chain.

Note: Products sourced within 100 miles of project site valued at 200% for Options 1 & 2.

 

3. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES – PBT SOURCE REDUCTION: LEAD, CADMIUM, AND COPPER

Materials and Resources – PBT Source Reduction: Lead, Cadmium, and Copper (2 points): This credit is intended to reduce use and release of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic chemicals (PBT) within the life cycle of materials. To achieve the credit, project teams must specify and provide proof that there is no use of interior or exterior paints containing lead or cadmium.

 

4. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY – LOW-EMITTING MATERIALS

Indoor Environmental Quality – Low-Emitting Materials (1-3 points): This credit is intended to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants in interior products with a focus on reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) concentrations and emissions. There are 2 options for achieving this credit. Each option contains the possibility to achieve all 3 points.

Option 1 – Product Category Calculations: To complete this credit, one must comply with chemical content thresholds up to the percent listed in the table below. The table below lists threshold resources and, depending on the extent of one’s compliance, points are awarded.

• If 3 categories comply, 1 point
• If 5 categories comply, 2 points
• If 6 categories comply, 3 points

Option 2 – Budget Calculation Method: If products do not meet the above criteria, points can still be awarded using the budget calculation method. Based on the percentage of total compliance across all categories, points can be awarded. There are 3 Budget Calculation equations, all of which are listed below:

Equation 1: Total Percentage Compliance

• (% compliant walls + % compliant ceilings + % compliant insulation + % compliant furniture) / 5

Equation 2: System Percentage Compliant

• Flooring, walls, ceilings, insulation % compliance: [ (compliant surface area of layer 1 + compliant surface area of layer 2 + etc) / (total surface area of layer 1 + total surface area of layer 2 + etc) ] * 100

Equation 3: Furniture Systems Compliant (use ANSI/BIFMA)

• % compliant for furniture by calculating surface area based on manufacturers documentation for application: [ (0.5 * cost compliant with §7.6.1 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 + cost compliant with §7.6.2 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011) / total furniture cost) ] * 100

If project is greater than or equal to 90% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 100% compliant. If project is less than or equal to 50% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 0% compliant.

VOC Emission and Content Requirements for Options 1 and 2:

• A product must meet all relevant requirements to be considered compliant.
• Inherently Non-emitting Sources: automatically considered fully compliant without VOC emissions testing as long as they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, sealants.
• General Emissions Evaluation: Building products must be tested and determined compliant with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.1″2010 using applicable exposure scenario. The default scenario is a private office – project teams must pick the scenario most applicable to the product and report which exposure scenario was used.
• Must state amount of wet-applied products used in mass per surface area.
• Manufacturers’ claims of compliance with the above requirements must also state the range of total VOCs after 14 days (336 hours), measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.1: 0.5 mg/m³ or less; between 0.5 and 5.0 mg/m³ ; or 5.0 mg/m³ or more.
• Supplementary VOC Content Requirements for Wet-Applied Products – wet applied products are required to meet all of the above, as well as the following (whenever relevant): Manufacturer must disclose VOC content; All paints and coatings must meet VOC limits of 1+ of following: California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2007, Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Architectural Coatings, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113. All adhesives and sealants must meet SCAQMD Rule 1168.
• If a product cannot be tested using above methods, must comply with the following: ASTM D2369-10, ISO 11890 – part 1, ASTM D6886-03, ISO 11890-2.
• Methylene chloride and perchloroethylene may not be intentionally added in paints, coatings, adhesives, or sealants.
• For furniture and composite wood requirements, refer to p. 61 LEED ID+C Handbook
• For projects outside of US, refer to p. 60 LEED ID+C Handbook

Laboratories that conduct the tests specified (for VOC emissions + content) must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025.

For manufacturer claims, first and third-party statements of product compliance must follow CDPH SM V1.1″2010, Section 8. Organizations that certify manufacturers claims must be accredited under ISO Guide 65.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

In order to secure the maximum of 7 points, one must complete the following requirements:

1. BUILDING PRODUCT DISCLOSURE AND OPTIMIZATION – ENVIRONMENTAL BUILDING DECLARATIONS

Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Building Declarations (1-2 points, CI, Retail, Hospitality) – This credit emphasizes the procurement and disclosure of Environmental Product Declarations for products used in the project. It also includes a Multi-Attribute Optimization framework, intended to encourage project teams to demonstrate above average reductions in environmentally relevant fields, with life-cycle analyses serving as proof. In order to secure the maximum of 2 points, project teams must complete both of the options below:

Option 1 (1 point) – Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): To achieve compliance with this option, project teams must have at least 20 permanently installed products from at least 5 manufacturers meeting at least 1 of the following criteria:

• Must have product-specific declarations with public, critically reviewed life cycle assessment conforming to ISO 14044, with at least cradle to gate scope. Declarations of this type are valued at 1/4 of a product for crediting, meaning 80 products are required instead of 20 to secure the credit.
• Must have Environmental Product Declarations conforming to ISO 14025, 14040, 14044, and EN 15804 or just ISO 21930, also with at least cradle to gate scope. Industry Wide (Generic) EPD’s are valued at 1/2 product, meaning a total of 40 are required, while Product Specific EPD’s are valued at 1 whole product, meaning 20 products is adequate. For a concise explanation of the differences between the various types of Environmental Product Declarations, follow this link.

Option 2 (1 point) – Multi-Attribute Optimization: To achieve compliance with this option, at least 50% by cost of permanently installed products must meet at least 1 of the following criteria:

• Uses 3rd party products with life-cycle analyses demonstrating reduction above industry average in: GWP, Depletion of Ozone Layer, Acidification (land/water), Eutrophication, Tropospheric Ozone Formation, and Depletion of Nonrenewable Energy Sources, with industry averages retrieved from relevant EPD’s in same product category.
• Products sourced within 100 miles are valued at 200%.
• Structural and enclosure materials may not constitute more than 30% of value.

 

2. BUILDING PRODUCT DISCLOSURE AND OPTIMIZATION: MATERIAL INGREDIENTS

Building Product Disclosure and Optimization: Material Ingredients (1-2 points, Commercial Interior, Retail Commercial Interiors, Hospitality Commercial Interiors) – This credit is intended to promote prioritization of products and materials with positive, publicly available life-cycle information. It is intended to reward project teams for having comprehensive inventories of the chemical ingredients of their products and materials, demonstrating minimization of harmful substances. The credit is composed of 3 options, each of which is worth 1 point. In order to secure the maximum of 2 points, 2 of the 3 options must be completed:

Option 1 (1 point): To achieve compliance with this option, project teams must have at least 20 products from at least 5 manufacturers, and must use one of the following methods to demonstrate completed chemical inventories of products to at least 0.1%:

• Manufacturer Inventory – complete chemical inventories with public, registered inventory of ingredients through Chemical Abstract Service Registration Number (CASRN)
• Health Product Declaration certification
• Cradle to Cradle – certification at v2 Basic or v3 Bronze level

Option 2 (1 point): Material Ingredient Optimization – 25%+ by cost of products document material ingredient optimization using one of following:

• GreenScreen v.1.2 Benchmark – If all ingredients undergo full assessment, valued at 150% for crediting.
• Cradle to Cradle Certification – v2 Platinum and v3 Gold/Platinum accrue 150% value
• REACH Authorization List

Option 3 (1 point): Product Manufacturer Supply Chain Optimization – to achieve compliance with this option, at least 25% (by cost) of building products must be sourced from product manufacturers with third party verification that:

• There is active, transparent effort to evaluate chemical makeup of all products, especially those with more pressing hazard, exposure, and use information.
• There is documentation on health, safety, and environmental characteristics of chemical ingredients.
• There is active effort to productively manage products based on above information on characteristics.
• Optimize health, safety, environmental impacts when designing and improving chemical ingredients.
• Communicate, receive, evaluate chemical ingredient safety and stewardship information along supply chain.
• Has publicly available info about chemical ingredients at every point along supply chain.
• Has comprehensive safety, health, hazard, and risk program validations.
• Documents at least 99% of materials used.

Note: For options 2 and 3, products sourced within 100 miles valued at 200%. 

Structure and enclosure materials may not constitute over 30% of value.

 

3. LOW-EMITTING MATERIALS

Low-Emitting Materials (1-3 points) – This credit is intended to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants in interior products, with a focus on reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) concentrations and emissions. There are 2 options for achieving this credit. Each option contains the possibility to achieve all 3 points.

Option 1 – Product Category Calculations: To complete this credit, one must comply with chemical content thresholds up to the percent listed in table. Threshold resources are listed. Depending on the extent of one’s compliance, points are awarded:

• If 3 categories comply, 1 point.
• If 5 categories comply, 2 points.
• If 6 categories comply, 3 points.

Option 2 – Budget Calculation Method: If products do not meet the above criteria, points can still be awarded using the budget calculation method. Based on the percentage of total compliance across all categories, points can be awarded. There are 3 Budget Calculation equations, all of which are listed below:

Equation 1: Total Percentage Compliance

• (% compliant walls + % compliant ceilings + % compliant insulation + % compliant furniture) / 5

Equation 2: System Percentage Compliant

• Flooring, walls, ceilings, insulation % compliance: [ (compliant surface area of layer 1 + compliant surface area of layer 2 + etc) / (total surface area of layer 1 + total surface area of layer 2 + etc) ] * 100

Equation 3: Furniture Systems Compliant (use ANSI/BIFMA)

• % compliant for furniture by calculating surface area based on manufacturers documentation for application: [ (0.5 * cost compliant with §7.6.1 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 + cost compliant with §7.6.2 of ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011) / total furniture cost) ] * 100

If project is greater than or equal to 90% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 100% compliant. If project is less than or equal to 50% compliant based on equations, the system counts as 0% compliant.

VOC Emission and Content Requirements for Options 1 and 2:

• A product must meet all relevant requirements to be considered compliant.
• Inherently Non-emitting Sources: automatically considered fully compliant without VOC emissions testing as long as they do not include integral organic-based surface coatings, binders, sealants.
• General Emissions Evaluation: Building products must be tested and determined compliant with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.1″2010 using applicable exposure scenario. The default scenario is private office – project teams must pick the scenario most applicable to the product and report which exposure scenario was used.
• Must state amount of wet-applied products used in mass per surface area.
• Manufacturers’ claims of compliance with the above requirements must also state the range of total VOCs after 14 days (336 hours), measured as specified in the CDPH Standard Method v1.1: 0.5 mg/m³ or less; between 0.5 and 5.0 mg/m³ ; or 5.0 mg/m³ or more.
• Supplementary VOC Content Requirements for Wet-Applied Products – wet applied products are required to meet all of the above, as well as the following (whenever relevant): Manufacturer must disclose VOC content; All paints and coatings must meet VOC limits of 1+ of following: California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2007, Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Architectural Coatings, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113. All adhesives and sealants must meet SCAQMD Rule 1168.
• If a product cannot be tested using above methods, must comply with the following: ASTM D2369-10, ISO 11890 – part 1, ASTM D6886-03, ISO 11890-2.
• Methylene chloride and perchloroethylene may not be intentionally added in paints, coatings, adhesives, or sealants.
• For furniture and composite wood requirements, refer to p. 61 LEED ID+C Handbook
• For projects outside of US, refer to p. 60 LEED ID+C Handbook

Laboratories that conduct the tests specified (for VOC emissions + content) must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025.

For manufacturer claims, first and third-party statements of product compliance must follow CDPH SM V1.1″2010, Section 8. Organizations that certify manufacturers claims must be accredited under ISO Guide 65.

 

HOMES

In order to secure the maximum of 3 points, one must complete the following requirements:

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (EQ) – LOW-EMITTING PRODUCTS

Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) – Low-Emitting Products (3 points): This credit is intended to reduce exposure to airborne chemical contaminants through product selection. There is only one aspect to this credit, and it must be completed in full to accrue the maximum 3 points:

• Use products for interior of home that have been tested and found to be compliant with California Department of Public Health Standard Method V1.1″2010 using CA Section 01350, Appendix B, New Single-Family Residence scenario. For emission testing, products must meet 90%+ of requirements to be considered compliant.
• Interior paints and coatings must meet requirements of CA Section 01350 (0.5 points).
• Flooring, insulation, site applied adhesives and sealants, must all meet requirements of CA Section 01350 – 0.5 points each.
• Composite woods have different grading system, and is worth just 1 point. For more information on this credit, refer to p.100 of Homes.

 

RESOURCES

Here are any other resources we’ve found (or that have been shared with us) and we think may be helpful:

• Article : “Alternatives to Vinyl Flooring”
• Article : “Understanding Carbonized Bamboo Flooring | Ambient Bamboo”
• Article : “Floored: The Shocking Concerns About Vinyl Flooring”
• Research Report : “Comparison of Environmental Impacts of Flooring Alternatives”
• Article : “10 Most Popular Eco-Friendly Flooring Solutions”
• Website : “How Stuff Works, referred for an in-depth understanding for each flooring”
• Article : “Linoleum Floor Covering”
• Website : “Mother Earth News, referred for environmental knowledge on alternatives to conventional flooring such as recycled tile, reclaimed hardwood and many more”
• Article : “Is cork eco-friendly?”
• Article : “Is Bamboo Flooring Really Eco-Friendly?”
• Article : “Linoleum: The All-Natural Flooring Alternative”
• Article : “How to Choose Glass Tile for Backsplashes”
• Article : “Do I need special bamboo flooring underlayment to install bamboo flooring?”
• Study : “Using Reclaimed Lumber and Wood Flooring in Construction: Measuring Environmental Impact Using LifeCycle Inventory Analysis”
• Website : “Guide to Healthy Cleaning Services”
• Article : “Where to Buy Reclaimed Wood Flooring”
• Article : “5 Types of Sustainable Adhesives You Should Know About”
• Article : “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Impact on Indoor Air Quality”
• Article : “Toxins in Paints”
• Article : “Overview of Urea Formaldehyde Resin”
• Article : “Overview of Cadmium, a common pigmentation in paints”
• Article : “Overview of Antimony, a common pigmentation in paints”
• Article : “Overview of Lead, including use in paints”
• PDF : “Overview of Mercury Compounds in Paints”
• Article : “Overview of Hexavalent Chromium, commonly used in paints”
• PDF : “Overview of Perfluorochemicals – includes use in paints”
• Article : “Summary of Antimicrobial Treatment Use in Paints”
• Article: “Why You Should Use Non-toxic Wood Stain”
• Website : Off-Gassing Explained
• Website : Safer States: PFA Bans and Policies
• Database : “SPOT Sustainable Product Database”: This website allows you to look up products and view which certifications those products have. It is immensely useful for locating products which comply with LEED, WELL, or similar crediting systems.
• Website : “US Green Building Council Website”: For anyone interested in investigating the LEED Certification system, the USGBC website is an immensely valuable resource. It contains explanations of the mission and history of the council and LEED, as well as links to the actual LEED system and its handbooks.
• Webstore: “Green Building Supply” – online retailer dedicated to locating and selling eco-friendly alternatives to traditional building products, including flooring, paints and coatings, home goods, cleaners, and much more.
• Suggest an addition to this section by clicking here

 

SUMMARY

Floors are an indispensable and ever-present component of modern life. As we adorn our homes, schools, hospitals, and public spaces, stepping on these products is unavoidable. With this in mind, it is prudent to pay close attention to the impacts they have on our environment and health. Ourselves, our families, and our communities benefit from selecting companies that engage in responsible manufacturing processes whose products do not contain hazardous chemicals. This page shares our research into this topic as a component of our open source sharing model for providing free and accessible blueprints for sustainable development. We’ll continue to evolve this page with everything we learn and experience with flooring as we build the Duplicable City Center and 7 sustainable village models.

 

FREQUENTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS

Q: What was the process for ranking the flooring companies?

Our goal was to first find companies which included sustainability as an important parameter in their mission statement and then ascertain their actual commitment. Benchmarking in this organized way brought about surprising conclusions for our ranking. Our initial benchmarking led us to a final score for each company based on their sustainability initiatives, products, patents/innovations/research, third party certifications of their products, and presence of a sustainability report. Along with this, points were deducted or added from the final score based on the absence or presence of these criteria. This method, however, inadvertently promoted companies with more third party certifications and sustainability presence on their website. However, while third party certifications are a great indicator, we found that placing this much weight on them in the scoring process could falsely skew the results. (For example, a vinyl flooring would need several third party certifications to be considered “less-toxic”, while reclaimed flooring might only need one or two since it is inherently a less toxic material.) Because our focus is to promote companies that sell sustainable products, we later added more weight to this criteria, and less weight to third party certifications and a sustainability presence on their website. That led to the current ranking.

Q: How would the ranking look like if equal weight was given to all factors?

While our first choice would remain the same, the ranking would look fairly different, due to the aforementioned reasoning. The ranking would look more like:

1. Pioneer Millworks
2. Khars
3. Teragren
4. Sustainableflooring.com
5. Dal Tile (tie)
6. Shaw Industries (tie)
7. Milliken Flooring (tie)

Q: If you had to choose one company to trust for their products, which one would it be and why?

Our number one choice is Pioneer Millworks, a company committed to sustainability in its initiatives and products since their conception. The nature of their products (reclaimed wood and sustainably harvested fresh-sawn wood) is low carbon and low/non-toxic. All of their products conform to environmental certifications and contribute to LEED points. This is a company with actions to prove their commitment to sustainability.

Q: What was your criteria for selection of floorings, from most important to least and why?

Our main criteria when evaluating the floorings was first health and safety, and second the sustainability of the product’s life cycle, which includes carbon footprint and end-of-life. After this, we considered durability, cost, strength, and appearance in benchmarking the floorings. We ranked popular and relatively easily accessible flooring options. We did not pursue or look into companies that exclusively produced the options that we deemed toxic and unsafe for health. For each of these parameters, all floorings were ranked and given a score. A cumulative score for each flooring then helped us arrive at the final ranking.

Q: What are the health effects of the hazardous chemicals used in floorings? Which chemicals are they?

Release of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) is the most toxic after-effect in floorings. Floorings can also release toxic chemicals like phthalates (DEHP), dioxins, ethylene dichloride, and even mercury. These chemicals are highly persistent and bio-accumulative, meaning that once they are in our environment and, consequently, in our bodies, they remain there for an extremely long period of time. In various studies conducted, they have been found to affect our nervous system, endocrine system, and even cause changes to DNA! Presence in mild amounts also has the potential to cause respiratory issues, asthma, worsen allergies, and much more. Naturally, the effects worsen for children and adults with weaker immune systems. In our research, we encountered the use of some chemicals as being carcinogenic as well.

Q: If I were only interested in health, which flooring would have the lowest toxin content?

The floorings in our research include some which are completely safe, some which require attention to details such as toxicity of additives in order to guarantee safety, and the rest in which some minimal risk would always exist. Wood is one option that is completely safe as it does not release any VOCs, rather it improves the air quality. This of course should include sanity checks for additives that may be incorporated. For example, some wooden floorings might use finishes that contain added formaldehyde or VOCs. For this reason, it is important to use natural, VOC-free finishes. Tile is also excellent in being inert/chemically stable and safe (post installation), however, it is incredibly important that the grout used in installation is non-toxic as well. Concrete works really well too, acting as an anti-allergen. Polished concrete flooring should be preferred and the use of colorizing agents should be checked.

Q: If I were only interested in convenience, which flooring would you recommend?

Vinyl is technically the most readily available and easy to work with, however it has been deemed the most toxic in our ranking of flooring. For this reason, we recommend three alternatives that also prioritize convenience in installation: Hardwood (reclaimed is what we recommend), cork, and laminate flooring. While an interlocking system for laying wood can be used, cork and laminate work well with the floating process of installation. These are easy to install and require minimal additional additives, hence being sustainable as well.

Q: If I were only interested in sustainability, which flooring would you recommend?

Reclaimed hardwood and Cork would be the top contenders when prioritizing sustainability. However our preference would be reclaimed hardwood due to its sustainable manufacturing process. Reclaimed hardwood is essentially repurposing a resource that is already available, and so it has the lower carbon impact out of all of our options. Additionally, wood flooring is extremely inert/chemically stable and non-toxic.

However, cork is a close second, as the harvesting process of cork is such that it helps in fighting climate change by sequestering carbon, hence doing more good to the environment than leaving it untouched. Unfortunately, cork is almost exclusively grown in Europe, and the transportation process does have a significant impact on its carbon footprint. Another potential negative is the possibility of adhesives which could be toxic to health, so one must keep a close eye out to ensure these don’t exist in the chosen product.

Q: How can I ascertain the sustainability and safety of a flooring not covered here?

While we hope that our exhaustive research covers your requirements, a good measure to ascertain safety is to dig a little deeper into the minute components that make up any product. This involves understanding the manufacturing process to determine chemicals used and their potential to be released post manufacturing. For sustainability, it is recommended to understand the norms a company follows, the certifications it provides, and the life cycle of the product. This includes awareness about products being recyclable and biodegradable. For ease, our benchmarking sheet can be referred to for the parameters used by us.

Q: Glossary on all environmental and health certifications, along with some key terms mentioned:

Q: What is LEED? What about WELL?

The LEED Green Building Certification System, propagated by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), is designed to standardize and reward environmentally conscious business practices related to construction and general building projects. With independent crediting systems for newly constructed buildings (Building Design and Construction), interior construction (Interior Design and Construction), individual homes (Homes), whole neighborhoods (Neighborhood Development), and even entire cities (Cities and Communities), LEED aims to provide a comprehensive blueprint for any project team, business, or individual seeking to undergo a more ecologically minded construction process. Each rating system has a wide, in-depth selection of potential credits, each of which cites relevant standards and goals.

The WELL Standard supported by the International WELL Building Institute, is a similar but more accessible accreditation system. In favor of readability, WELL sacrifices some of the specificity so characteristic of the LEED system. Both support the same general mission, and can be effectively used individually or in tandem.