Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in VOCs and offgassing. Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can certainly pick up the offgassing.
Vinyl plank and luxury vinyl plank/tile are very low in VOCs and offgassing but they do have the problem of semi-VOCs – the plasticizers. Most of it is phthalate-free now – though phthalates were replaced with alternate plasticizers.
PVC is hazardous to both the environment and human health. There are many reasons for this. First, the production of PVC causes the release of toxins into the environment. Notably, it releases dioxins, which are highly toxic compounds that pollute the environment and can cause serious human health problems.
Due to the materials used in the production process of vinyl, it will sometimes emit various levels of VOCs into the air for a short amount of time after installation. These toxic chemicals can be harmful to air quality of the immediate environment it's installed in and may cause respiratory problems over time.
Virgin vinyl is the kind of PVC floor you should go for. It is eco-friendly and a perfect lower VOC type.
A Few Vinyl Flooring Brands That Are Environmentally Safe
One of the safest is from Mannington. They tout their environmental protection in all their vinyl products, including their luxury vinyl tile (LVT). They also put out non-vinyl resilient flooring, a very popular product with consumers.
To wrap it up, you have to know that vinyl plank floors are not that toxic not unless you get a heavy expose. Also, most companies today choose to make vinyl planks that are not toxic elements or free of phthalates. So, don't worry about buying them because they will be safe to use.
Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber.
The results of the aforementioned study actually show how vinyl floors were considered to be toxic. It is important to note that now, in 2020, this question is now considered to be a myth.
How Long Does Vinyl Floors Off Gas? Off gassing is usually extreme in the first 3 to 5 weeks after your vinyl flooring installation. However, factors like ventilation, where the installation is done, and the amount of chemicals emitted can affect how long the smell will last.
Researchers have found that children living in homes with vinyl flooring and sofas treated with fire retardant chemicals show increased levels of certain toxic chemicals. These chemicals have been associated with serious health issues, including respiratory problems, neurological issues, skin irritation, and cancer.
LVT is also highly customizable, working with many different home decoration styles. Unfortunately, vinyl flooring products are toxic, and they pose several serious health risks that far outweigh the positive aspects of luxury vinyl tile.
When it comes to the safest option, hardwood flooring is a prime choice. Known for its durability and natural beauty, hardwood flooring adds value and luxury to any room. This type of flooring can be found in a range of finishes and comes from a variety of different wood species.
Laminate flooring also wins out over vinyl when it comes to environmental sustainability. Vinyl is produced using petroleum, which isn't a renewable resource. Its production generates toxic chemicals.
The VOCs given off by vinyl flooring are principally treatment chemicals used when the flooring is being manufactured. Over time, though, the flooring material can release these compounds into your home air. This is especially true as the material gets old and begins to break down.
A recent study from HealthyStuff.org, a research group affiliated with the Ecology Center, found that the majority of vinyl flooring tiles sold at major retailers, including Lowe's, contain toxic phthalates, which are commonly found in flooring at levels exceeding U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission children's ...
Formaldehyde is more common in laminate flooring, where it's found in the adhesive and resin. However, formaldehyde is also a concern in vinyl flooring, although its levels tend to be lower than in laminate flooring.
Vinyl flooring contains several chemicals that can be toxic, including PVC, cadmium, and lead. Many of these substances are found in such small levels that it is unlikely to cause harm, but phthalates are used to make vinyl flooring and polyvinyl chloride, PVC.
LifeProof Flooring Is Certified Low-VOC
LifeProof flooring, for example, is low-VOC-certified. Of course, low-VOC doesn't mean non-existent-VOC. If you want something even safer, you'll probably want to look at something like solid hardwood or non-toxic laminate flooring.
Shaw Industries resilient (vinyl) products contain no ortho-phthalate plasticizers (including benzyl butyl phthalate), and all resilient products are formulated using only virgin vinyl polymer to avoid the challenges of legacy chemicals that often come with post-consumer recycled content in this product category.
Vinyl flooring is highly durable. If installed and maintained correctly, it can last upwards of 10-20 years. That said, vinyl is a great choice for the rooms in your house that get the most foot traffic. Additionally, most vinyl flooring has a wear layer on its surface that resists scratches and stains.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are two different types of luxury vinyl flooring. LVT is vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP is vinyl flooring designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks.
LVT. They are made of the same polyvinyl chloride material, have similar performance qualities, score equally on durability and life span, are low maintenance and are easy and affordable to install. That said, LVP is the best choice if you are after a hardwood look for your floors.