A patterned floor gives a room more visual interest than a wide expanse of uniform color. But if the pattern repeats too obviously, the effect quickly becomes cluttered and unprofessional. The wider the variety in the floor’s pattern, the better the overall look. Here’s what you need to know to lay patterned flooring for the most professional results.

Standard Pattern Repeat vs. Drop Pattern Repeat

Although vinyl flooring is generally supplied in tiles or planks, it’s actually manufactured in large sheets and cut to size before sale. You can watch a video of the manufacturing process here.

How often the pattern repeats in the final planks depends on both the size of the original pattern and the size the planks are cut to. Typically, planks have a pattern repeat frequency of around one in five, although premium products may repeat once every eight planks or even less often.

For residential flooring, there are two main ways in which the pattern repeats, known as standard and drop.

– What is a Standard Pattern Repeat?

With a standard pattern repeat, the repetition of the design is uniform. The larger pattern will be laid out in squares or rectangles, and will repeat perfectly when two cuts of the same size are placed side by side. A standard repeat matches from side to side as well as from top and bottom.

This makes it easier to fit repeating patterns which is good for tiles, but less so for planks where a more natural look is desirable.

– What is a Drop Pattern Repeat?

With a drop pattern repeat, the pattern doesn’t match exactly on each side of the initial roll. To get a perfect match, you’ll need to move one piece upward or downward until the pattern edges align. This makes it more difficult to align patterned tiles, for example, but the extra random element makes disguising repetitions in planks much easier.

How to Calculate Square Footage for Flooring

You might think that calculating the square footage of your room will tell you how much flooring you need to buy. Unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated than that, as there’s a subtle difference between ordering for standard and drop pattern repeat.

Ordering Flooring With a Standard Pattern Repeat

For a standard pattern repeat, first measure the length and width of your room. For an example, let’s say your room is 15′ long by 20′ wide. Flooring roll comes in fixed widths, so if the roll you want is supplied in widths of 12′, you’ll need two widths of roll each 15′ long to cover the whole area.

Ordering Flooring With a Drop Pattern Repeat

If you’re using a single roll of drop patterned repeat flooring, then you can simply calculate the length you’ll need. But if you need more than one roll’s width, then you’ll need to allow for the pattern length if you want the rolls to match up.

The first roll you order should be the length of the floor space. The second and further ones should be the floor length plus the whole length of the pattern, in order to ensure you can line the rolls up before cutting them to length.

A Technique for Creating a Stagger Pattern as You Go

A professional tip for creating a stagger pattern is to sort your planks or tiles by color before starting to lay them down. This means that the next plank in the pile is always a close match, giving a more even appearance.

Different LVT Installations

There are three main types of luxury vinyl flooring: tile, plank, and sheet. Sheet is the easiest to fit by lining up the pattern, while a little more care needs to be taken with planks and tiles to get a professional-looking arrangement.

Luxury Vinyl Layouts and Patterns

While vinyl planks and tiles can be laid in any pattern you choose, there are several standards which are often used by professionals.

– Diagonal Pattern: This pattern repeats at a 45-degree angle, giving a dramatic and upscale look.

– Offset Pattern: This is the most common pattern, where tiles or planks are offset by around half their width.

– Stagger Pattern: With this pattern, the vinyl pieces are arranged alternately around a central line, giving an essentially random look. A stagger pattern is particularly effective with two-tone planks, where the same pack contains both light and dark tones of vinyl.

– Grid Pattern: This common pattern sets out planks or tiles evenly and symmetrically for a clean and modern look.

– Corridor Pattern: A variation on the grid pattern, with horizontal rows contained within vertical columns.

– Herringbone Pattern: The planks are fitted at 90-degree angles to give a zigzag appearance.

– Random Pattern: As the name suggests, with a random pattern the aim is to have no obvious repetition or order to the planks.

– Mixed-Width Pattern: This pattern lays down planks of varying widths, for a varied and non-repeating appearance.

Realistic Designs

Today’s vinyl planks can have a highly realistic look thanks to a modern technique of embossing new textural features over the original pattern. With these planks, the pattern is more random and easier to fit without repetition.

Pattern Pride

But whichever design and layout you choose, working to avoid a clearly repeating pattern will give you results you’ll be proud to have achieved yourself, without calling in a professional installer.

FAQs About Avoiding Pattern Repeats in Flooring

– What do I have to do before installation?

To achieve the most random pattern, open your boxes of planks and sort them by color. This will help you pick the right plank quickly when laying them down.

– How do I determine the direction in which to install my laminate flooring?

As a rule of thumb, laminate flooring should be laid to point toward either the main light source or the most-used entrance. If these directions conflict, choose the one that involves less cutting of the laminate boards.

– Do I have to keep staggering the planks in my laminate flooring installation?

Yes. When the patterns line up in adjacent planks, the result is jarring and unsightly. What’s more, if the seams also line up, the strength of the floor can be compromised.

– Should wood floors be horizontal or vertical?

Real wood floors should usually be laid parallel to the longest wall, to maximize the sense of space.

– Which direction do I put down my vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl plank flooring can be installed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally with good results. However, many professionals recommend putting the planks down in the direction of the main light source for the most attractive finish.

– Which way do you lay vinyl plank flooring in multiple rooms?

Ideally, all connecting rooms should have the planks running in the same direction to give a unified look. If this isn’t possible, laying a transition strip at the doorway can help smooth out the difference.

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Select your flooring

The kind of flooring you choose will affect what you have to do prior to a renovation. For instance, if you’re installing new hardwood, you’ll have to remove the existing floors. However, if you’re using vinyl flooring, you may be able to skip this step, as the material can be laid over existing floors.

Contact a Contractor

Research professional installers in your area, get several quotes and pick the right person for the job. Having a contractor lined up to install your new floor will give you an idea for timelines and will help you prepare for the work ahead. You can skip this step of course if you’re going the DIY route for your kitchen flooring renovation.

Measure and order

With your chosen floor in mind, measure your kitchen to see how much material you need to order. Measure several times, as any savvy carpenter would do, to ensure your numbers are accurate.

Ordering slightly more than the amount needed to cover your kitchen is wise. That way, you’ll have extra pieces in case you damage any during renovation or cut one to the wrong size. Since most kitchens usually aren’t perfect squares, you should also have some extra flooring on hand to make special cuts.

Extra flooring tiles or boards also can replace damaged ones in the future and give you a surface to test cleaners and sealers before using them in the entire kitchen.

Plan for waste removal

Most garbage-collecting companies won’t remove certain items unless asked. Call your neighborhood collector to see if they’ll haul away your old flooring. If not, rent a dumpster or make arrangements with a junk removal company. Otherwise, you’ll be left with the remains of your old floor.

Renting a dumpster during your kitchen renovation is an easy way to deal with your old floor.

Clear out

Remove items from your kitchen that could get in the way of your renovation. If you’re also replacing cabinetry, you’ll have to take all of your kitchen supplies out of the room. However, if you’re just replacing the floors, remove your dining table and any chairs in the space, along with freestanding appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers.

To avoid damage, remove all wall decorations like photos and mirrors, as well as window curtains. You don’t want to break anything by accident while you rip up the floors.

Contain dust

Hang plastic sheets over doorways to prevent dust created by your renovation from reaching other areas of the house. Make sure you have a way out of the kitchen by cutting a vertical opening up the middle of one doorway cover. When you’re working, tape up the opening to contain dust. You can also purchase plastic sheets from your local hardware store that have a zipper down the middle.

Also consider laying down plastic sheets or drop cloth runway from your kitchen to wherever you plan to dispose of waste. That way, you can keep your work boots on and not track dust on your carpet or other flooring.

Cover the basement

If you have a basement beneath your kitchen, lay drop cloths over everything in that space. All the hammering and work you’ll do on your kitchen floor could cause dust and debris to fall from your basement ceiling. Covering things beforehand will make cleanup much easier later.

Remove floors

Use the proper steps to remove the type of material on your floors now. For the most part, that will mean placing a wedge under the floor and hammering against it to pop up the tile, wood, vinyl, etc. Work horizontally rather than down to protect your subfloor.

Inspect and prepare the subfloor

If your subfloor is in good condition (it’s level and has no cracks or bumps), you can go ahead and clean it with a broom and industrial vacuum. If there is damage, repair it right away. Rotting or molding subfloors should be replaced entirely.

Once your subfloor is ready to go, you can install your brand new kitchen flooring.

What type of kitchen flooring are you considering?

Browse our selection of premium flooring here.

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R-Value Defined

A building material’s R-value refers to its ability to resist thermal conductivity. Higher R-values equate to better insulation; materials with large R-values keep heat from escaping the home during the winter and permeating it during the summer.

Your floors help insulate your home by preventing heat loss and gain underneath your feet. While a nonstandard flooring material like concrete features lower R-values than some of the more traditional flooring choices, it’s actually pretty comparable to ceramic flooring tiles.

R-Value’s Importance

The R-value determines whether a flooring material will help or hinder a home’s ability to resist heat loss and gain. While your home’s insulation makes the biggest difference in energy efficiency, don’t discount your flooring choices.

Flooring type and quality not only affect energy efficiency but also to some degree, thermal comfort. Have you ever swung your feet over the side of the bed on a wintry morning, then snatched them immediately off, say, the cold, ceramic tile floor? Materials with higher R-values also improve your comfort underfoot.

R-Value Ratings

The precise R-value of a particular type of flooring depends on the manufacturer’s specifications and flooring thickness. For example, one brand of chestnut wood flooring might feature an R-value of 0.975, while another’s R-value is 0.825. Additionally, R-values can be expressed both as typical R-values and as R-values by a specific unit of measurement.

Wood floors, such as pine, fir, oak, and maple, boast similar R-values ranging from 0.638 to 0.975. Engineered wood typically features a lower R-value (in some cases as low as 0.250); plank thickness plays a significant roll in engineered hardwood R-value. However, the type of underlayment used with a wood floor can increase the overall R-value considerably.

Tile floors, such as marble and ceramic, offer similar R-values when compared based on the measurement. However, because marble tiles are usually twice as thick as ceramic tiles, they offer greater protection against thermal conductivity.

Carpet, particularly wool and shag varieties, provides the best R-values among all standard flooring choices. For example, wool carpet rates a maximum R-value of 2.1, while other types of carpet can rate as low as 0.7.

R-Value Considerations

While R-value is an important factor to consider when choosing a flooring material, you must also consider your aesthetic preferences. For some homeowners, the sleek look of tile is more important than heat conductivity resistance.

You might also want to think about ways to make your floors more comfortable and less conducive to heat loss and gain. For example, radiant heating grows increasingly popular among homeowners, especially for tiled areas such as bathrooms. A radiant heating system generates heat from beneath the floors, making them more comfortable to walk on. Strategically placed area rugs and runners will also help you create a more comfortable space.

Consider R-values as well as other preferences when choosing flooring for your home or business. If your floors keep you comfortable, lower your energy bills, and please your eye, you’ll enjoy the space even more.

Is the insulating quality of a floor a factor in your next flooring decision?

The post The R-Value of Various Flooring Materials and Why it Matters appeared first on Learning Center.

Congressman John Lacey. Photo Courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The Lacey Act, authored by Congressman John F. Lacey and first enacted in 1900, is the oldest wildlife protection statute on U.S. books. It was originally designed to combat trafficking in illegal wildlife, fish and some plants. The 2008 amendment to the Lacey Act expanded the scope of protection to include illegal logging practices, any plant, including derivative products and hardwoods, and gives teeth to the prosecution in terms of both criminal and civil courts. It is also intended to aid law enforcement by requiring importers to declare country of origin, species, and other pertinent information.

The amendment to ban the product of illegal logging was introduced on March 13, 2007 by Congressmen Jerry Weller (R-IL), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Robert Wexler (D-FL) in the House of Representatives and then by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in the Senate on August 1. It was passed unanimously by the Senate that December, and the law took effect in May of 2008.

Most representatives of the flooring industry were behind the movement toward honest environmental action, and there is little doubt that the amendment to the Lacey Act will have a lasting and profound effect on every link in the chain from logging to customer. Enforcement of the law leveled the playing field for domestic production companies who had been forced to compete with lower prices generated by manufacturers and suppliers using illegally obtained wood.

What, Exactly, Is Illegal Wood?

The Lacey Act holds all parties responsible by stipulating that it is illegal to take, possess, transport, sell, or own illegally harvested wood or products made from illegally harvested wood. While the U.S. may not be able to directly enforce action against illegal logging, importers, manufacturers, sellers, and even customers can be held accountable. Civil penalties of up to $500,000 may be imposed, along with criminal liability in the form of a misdemeanor or felony charge of up to five years in prison. Severity of charges and fines depends on knowledge, whether a person should have known beyond reasonable doubt that the wood or wood product was purchased in violation of the law. The requirement of due care is expected. Importers, retailers, and even customers are expected to know the origins of the wood – and refuse it if the origins are suspect.

The law acknowledges that a company using a trusted supplier may be duped into believing a product is legal when it is not. In most such cases, the product would be forfeit, but no further legal action would be taken.

In addition to requirements that importers declare statements of origin under the new act, flooring contractors and retailers were advised by the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) to protect themselves and their investments by taking the following steps:

• Require and include origin information supplied by the exporter in the purchase order form.
• Obtain written confirmation that the foreign supplier certifies that the fabrication material has been harvested in a manner that complies with the law.
• Document at every level all steps the company takes to ensure the products are legally harvested and manufactured.
• Include a specific provision in the purchase agreement that the supplier will “hold harmless, indemnify, and defend” the purchasing company for inaccurate information provided by the supplier resulting in a violation of the Lacey Act.

Sellers were encouraged protect themselves and their practices with similar documentation, since trafficking of illegally harvested products puts the retailers at equal risk to importers. Every link in the supplier chain should document the origins of the materials to the best of its ability.

Why the Lacey Act is Relevant

These laws may sound harsh, but the importation of illegally harvested wood products had been on the rise, and with it, the dangers associated with unregulated logging practices. The Environmental Investigation Agency estimated that 10% of the hardwood flooring sold in the U.S. comes from illegally harvested forests. The new provisions cover not only hardwood planking, but also most other materials that can conceivably be made or extracted from trees and plants— including materials used to manufacture laminates, glues, particle boards, and other kinds of flooring products.

This amendment places the legal harvesting burden of proof on the country of origin, but at the same time it holds importers accountable. The onus is on the supply chain to report suspected violations to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the International Trade Commission.

Enforcement

The passage of the Lacey Act Amendment was only the beginning. Continued enforcement presents a significant challenge and requires cooperation by industry as well as regulatory bodies. Exporters, importers, manufacturers, shippers, and retailers must all continue to be aware of the law and understand its implications. While the law was within the U.S. alone, it had global market impact. Other countries have already adopted variations on the Lacey Act to establish their own set of standards. The U.K. has undertaken a Lacey Act approach and global leaders agree that such action is needed and justified.

The Lacey Act Amendment was the first legislation of its kind and, according to a spokesperson from Greenpeace, “is the most important piece of US forestry legislation passed in the past decade.” As the largest consumer nation in the world, the U.S. hopes to use its purchasing power to make significant inroads against illegal logging practices worldwide. By making the entire supply chain accountable, the hope was that demand for cheap products produced by illegal logging will dry up in the face of unreasonably high risk. Current information is available at APHIS.

BuildDirect continues to be commited to selling flooring that complies with the Lacey Act.

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Sound is transmitted when hard objects, like hard-soled shoes, furniture, dropped objects, or even dog claws impact a hard surface, like tile or stone. Without anything to absorb it, sound waves can spread, multiply, and echo off the walls, amplifying even a small sound to a distracting crescendo with the right acoustics. Given a large room with high ceilings and hard polished floors, a simple walk across the lobby of an office building, for example, can become quite a distraction.

Sound Transmission Ratings

There are three different standards for rating sound transmission. Each defines a different way in which sound is transmitted. The first two measure flooring sound transmission. The third covers room-to-room transmission, more appropriate for walls.

IIC (impact insulation class) is measured in terms of sound impact, or how well sound vibrations travel through a floor to the room below.

IIC 50 has the least impact sound absorption quality. While this may be appropriate for ground floors, it would be unsatisfactory for most on a high floor without a great deal of insulation in the area between the floor and the ceiling below. Most stone and tile will fall into this category.

IIC 60 indicates a medium impact sound absorption quality and encompasses floorings such as wood, laminates, and some vinyls.

IIC 65 is a high level of impact sound transmission absorption and includes superior sound reduction materials like carpet and cork.

Surfaces and areas under the floor influence impact isolation class. Underlayment and insulation significantly enhance the IIC. The “loudest” floor is stone or tile laid directly over concrete. However, the IIC scale does not account for joist noises like squeaking or rattling.

NRC (noise reduction coefficient) measures the amount of noise absorbed by the material and not reflected. A room with a high NRC rating eliminates background noise and echoes to help clarify speech. Theaters, for example, are constructed with a high NRC rating in mind. Without it, sound waves would bounce off the walls and crash into each other, creating a cacophony of continuous sound, making individual words impossible to distinguish. Carpet, with an NRC rating of .40–.50 is the most efficient absorptive material. Vinyl, cork, and rubber have a fairly high NRC rating, with hardwood, bamboo, tile, and stone at the bottom of the scale for sound absorption.

Under the Floor

The top layer of flooring is only the tip of the iceberg for flooring sound transmission. Other factors include the underlayment and subfloor, plus adhesives and sealants used during installation. If used on a higher floor in a multi-story structure, insulation between the floor of one room and the ceiling of the room below plays an important part in deadening sound. Any kind of insulation packed between the joists will not only help to trap and dissipate sound, it will block the loss of heat or air-conditioning, effectively lowering your utility bills.

Installation Materials

The use of flexible acoustic adhesives adds yet another layer of sound dampening properties to the floor. When applied around the edges of the floor, flexible sealant is designed to fill gaps. For example, where the floor meets the wall, around doors or air ducts, blocking channels where sound can travel.

Flooring for Sound Reduction

Carpet

Number one on the on all counts is carpeting. By definition, carpet is the antithesis of hard, echoing surfaces. Carpet and the padding under the carpet absorbs and deflects sound waves. Sound absorption is further enhanced with a thicker pad. Carpet is usually the cheapest option in the short run. However, it is also the most problematic in terms of durability, cleaning, and allergy aggravation because it tends to trap allergens and dust.

Cork

Cork is a great choice for sound reduction. It does more than merely dampen sound, it absorbs it. Cork creates a blissful peace that everyone will appreciate, including downstairs neighbors. It is such an effective sound reduction material that it is used on walls to soundproof recording studios to produce clear soundtracks without background noise. The key is in the porous structure of the cork. Rather than bounce around, the cellular structure of the cork breaks up the sound waves.

In addition to the obvious benefit of sound reduction, c𝘰rk flooring adds natural warmth to rooms and a slightly springy give that makes it comfortable and easy to walk or stand on and may even save dropped objects from breaking on impact.

Vinyl

Foam-backed quality vinyl flooring has a cushioned, flexible surface, making it a good choice for a sound reduction. But, as with everything else, you get what you pay for. While you can install any tile over an existing floor, the material of the floor will influence sound absorption qualities. Top quality vinyl will help nullify that factor and provide a nearly soundless surface that has spring and give for comfort.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a reasonably good choice for sound reduction with the addition of a quality underlayment. Underlayment adds a feeling of solidity and comfort to the floor. It reduces the hollow percussive sound produced by footfalls when laminate flooring is floated over a subfloor without underlayment. The underlayment pads a laminate floor much in the same way that a pad works under carpet, adding give for extra comfort and insulation for overall warmth.

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Formaldehyde is a compound chemical made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that is found literally everywhere, since it occurs naturally and is synthesized for industrial use in everyday products. The list of household and personal care products that contain small amounts of formaldehyde is endless, and it can also be found in processed wood products, like furniture, siding, and flooring. While it is a very useful chemical used to make clothes permanent-pressed, as a preservative, and as part of the makeup of adhesive products, it is also dangerous and exposure can wreak havoc with your health in high concentration.

Reactions to Formaldehyde

Reactions to formaldehyde emissions vary. Some people have no reaction, while others have severe and potentially life-threatening response to exposure. Symptoms include eye, nose, and throat irritation, respiratory difficulties like wheezing and coughing, skin rash, headaches and fatigue, and in some cases, extreme allergic reactions. Allergies can develop at any time, even in a person who has never been prone to them. Formaldehyde is also a suspected carcinogen and is proven to trigger attacks in people with asthma.

The Good News

The good news is that formaldehyde emissions decrease over time. A house built in the 1970s before there were any emission standards in place is not likely to still leach formaldehyde gas into your home. The most exposure occurs when the wood product is newly installed. Formaldehyde, unlike some other volatile organic chemicals found in the home, does not accumulate in the fat cells over time.

Source of Formaldehyde Emissions

A great deal of wood flooring is manufactured of layers of wood particles or veneers pressed together and sealed with adhesives containing urea formaldehyde resin. Low-end flooring, even made from materials that you expect to be “green” can be manufactured with this adhesive, and have formaldehyde emissions of 0.237ppm as a result. Because the real danger is in the manufacturing process, it’s a mistake to assume something is eco-friendly because it is made from an eco-friendly product. Before you make a decision to buy, make sure you get all the facts.

Formaldehyde Ratings

Europe

European standards recommended in 2000 by the European Panel Industry defined formaldehyde emissions ratings. Original ratings included E1, measuring 9mg/100g and below, E2, measuring greater than 9mg/100g to below 30mg/100g, and E3, measuring a greater than 30mg/100g ratio. Pressure for more stringent standards led to a new ratings classification, E0, based on emissions measuring 0.5mg per liter and below. Europeans test methodology is based on the Perforator Test Method, which measures the formaldehyde levels inside the wood specimen.

Japan

Japan has also defined formaldehyde emissions ratings. The Japanese JIS/JAS Formaldehyde Adhesive Emission Standards, defined by the set forth by the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) departments, use a different testing methodology, the Desiccator Test Method which measures emissions released from the wood. Ratings are assigned in four categories, F*, F**, F***, and F****, with F**** having the lowest level of formaldehyde emissions below 0.005 mg/m2h. Comparing these two standards is difficult due to the different methods and to different units of measurement.

United States

The United States has been slow to address this concern, but a rating system released in 2007 by the California Air Regulatory Board (CARB) aims to correct that. The Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM) specifies staggered implementation dates ranging from 2009 to 2010 (depending on product) for a two-phase plan that calls for compliance on emissions levels in particleboard, MDF, thin MDF and hardwood plywood. CARB studies suggest that up to 5% of formaldehyde emissions are generated by composite wood products.

Phase 1 of the CARB plan already in effect requires that adhesive formaldehyde emissions measure equal to or less than 0.08 ppm (parts per million), a figure that exceeds OSHA standards already in play.

Phase 2, set for January 1, 2010, will force formaldehyde emissions in adhesives even lower, to 0.05 ppm, a higher standard than that of the European E0.

Logistical Reality

The cost of trying to regulate a global building industry is significant on every level. Enforcement of a U.S. standard presents a problem of staggering proportion in terms of manpower and logistics, considering how much processed wood is imported from overseas and the sheer volume of product that would have to be monitored. For U.S. manufacturers, the burden of retooling to meet new standards falls to them and ultimately to the consumer, because the cost is likely be passed on.

The Composite Panel Association (CPA) and other industry leaders have voiced some concerns about this ruling and asked for modifications. Citing costs and the difficulty of testing finished products, Bill Perdue, of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, says the impact could be tremendous, especially as it affects small manufacturers, like thousands of cabinet and furniture makers. Businesses located in California will face a distinct disadvantage in supply.

For the California Air Regulatory Board, the choice was clear and the vote unanimous, health concerns supersede cost. Expectations are that the rest of the country will follow suit, and U.S. manufacturers will be eager to get onboard and stay ahead of legislation sure to follow.

The Future is Here

There are already products on the market that have low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions, some of them for years. In order to know exactly what you’re getting, find out what rating the flooring has. Look for E0, E1, F****, P1 or P2 CARB ratings for the most environmentally sound investment, and if the flooring is to be glued down, ask for VOC-free adhesives. It may cost a little more, but cleaner air will be worth it.

2019 Update

Regulations regarding formaldehyde emission standards have continued to evolve. As of March 22, 2019, all composite wood products sold int he United States must be TSCA Title VI compliant and labelled as such. All laminated products must comply by March 22, 2024.

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The idea of an eco-friendly flooring product, or really any product in any industry, must be thought of as being on a spectrum when it comes to how green it is. Put another way, there are some aspects of green to be found in a wide range of flooring products, with some types of flooring being associated with more of those aspects than others. It often depends on the circumstances, or even the location of where the flooring is being installed.

Why Eco-Friendly Flooring?

Logging Practices

Wood of any kind is a sustainable resource, due to durability and the ability to replace what was used. In fact, using a one-to-one comparison, a good quality hardwood floor can easily last for a hundred years or more, the time it takes to re-establish the same old-growth resource ready for harvest. The problem lies not in using wood for flooring, but in irresponsible management of forests, or the triumph of greed over common good. Poor environmental planning in the past has led us to the brink of crisis. Ecosystems depend on trees, and deforestation threatens some of the most delicate and vital ecosystems on the earth, like the rainforests that produce an estimated 40% of the oxygen we breathe and provide homes for thousands of species.

Today, legitimate logging operations have embraced the environmental issues. They are using responsible practices to maintain healthy forested areas with diverse growth capable of sustaining the ecosystem, but illegal deforestation is still commonly practiced in many countries. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates that 50% of imported U.S. hardwood originates from illegal – and environmentally devastating – logging practices. This wood is cut in one country, often the tropics, Africa, Russia, or Southeast Asia and exported to another, often China, to be processed before import to the U.S.

Recently, the Lacey Act was amended making it illegal to import, sell and purchase illegally sourced timber and wood products, including wood flooring.

Carbon Footprint

The phrase “carbon footprint” in general refers to the amount of carbon dioxide that’s released into the air during harvesting, processing, transport, and utilization of a resource. To measure the total carbon footprint of wood flooring, you have to follow the process from the cutting of the tree to the installation on your floor, and potentially beyond, if formaldehyde is used in the processing. Even some of the most environmentally sound and sustainable types of flooring can generate a significant carbon footprint due to transportation issues, since much of the flooring in use in the United States is shipped from China.

Global Warming Gases

The most significant thing to consider from both a global and a personal perspective are the emission of greenhouse gases. Some floor products contain chemicals that are dangerous to the environment and potentially dangerous to your family. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemical compounds commonly found in flooring materials, adhesives and finishes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the air inside homes typically contains up to 5 times more VOCs than the air outside.

Some VOCs are suspected or confirmed carcinogens and have been proven to cause allergic reactions or respiratory complications. Symptoms of exposure include irritation of eyes, nose and throat, headaches, nausea, allergic skin reaction, fatigue, dizziness, and loss of coordination. Serious reactions can include damage to the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system.

If you’re having a new floor installed, ask about the products and request those with the least VOCs, then make sure your house is well ventilated during and for a few days after the installation, just to be sure. Children are most vulnerable, so if your child complains of headaches or shows any other kind of reaction, consider staying elsewhere until the installation is complete and the house is aired out.

Making Green Choices

Sustainability is an important factor in eco-friendly flooring. Choices such as bamboo and cork are beautiful, durable, and easily replenished.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a fast growing member of the grass family that replenishes itself from the roots and is ready to harvest in just five to seven years. It produces beautiful eco-friendly flooring with the natural look and durability of hardwood, versatility of installation, and a rich variety of grains and color choices to suit any design aesthetic. Bamboo grows almost anywhere and is unrivalled in oxygen production, producing almost 30% more oxygen than a comparable hardwood forest area. And as also mentioned, the production process minimizes waste by taking post-industrial materials, those being the parings of the bamboo cut to make boards, and making them into yet another type of super-durable bamboo floors – strand-woven bamboo flooring.

Cork

Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oaks, and harvesting does not harm the tree – in fact, replacement of the removed bark begins immediately and continues for nine years until it’s ready to be harvested again. Cork is harvested without the use of polluting machinery, and most cork flooring is already recycled from used wine corks. For a truly eco-friendly flooring choice, look for cork flooring manufactured without VOC-producing chemicals.

Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is also a viable green option. Old buildings or homes that are being torn down often have gorgeous hardwood floors or siding that can be rescued and restored for new and environmentally responsible use. A little elbow grease and polish is often all it takes to refinish an old wood floor to its original glory.

Laminate

Laminate flooring can also be a greener option. Rather than harvesting slow growing or rain forest species, laminate flooring is created with a photograph of these species and produced with a core of wood generally harvested from managed forests. To ensure an even greener profile for your laminate floor check that the core material is harvested from forests managed according to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Standards. The manufacturer or retail salesperson should be able to provide information on whether your wood flooring product is FSC compliant.

Porcelain

Another sound eco-friendly choice is porcelain tile. Manufactured of recycled materials, porcelain tiles can be made using a combination of glass, stone, and even plastic. Tile manufacturers grind their own industrial waste and waste from other local manufacturers to refine the powder used to cast the porcelain. Choose VOC-free adhesives to ensure your family better, more breathable air.

Your Impact on the Environment

The good news is that consumers have the ability to impact the market and positively influence the environment by simply choosing eco-friendly flooring and other products made from sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. Consumers drive the market, and you can use your dollars responsibly to cast a vote for a better environment for your family and for the earth.

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