Again, if you're concerned about these effects, always make sure to purchase vinyl flooring from a trusted manufacturer who uses high quality materials. Then make sure to ventilate the space for several days or weeks after install.
If you have vinyl flooring, consider using an air purifier designed to remove VOCs like phthalates from your indoor air so you can breathe easier. Dust and vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum.
Studies have shown that phthalates can cause severe learning and developmental disabilities in children at high levels of exposure. Phthalates can also affect the endocrine system, causing changes in hormone cell signal pathways and disrupting reproductive health. Some phthalates are even known to be cancer-causing.
In reality, the off-gassing should be the strongest during the first two weeks and continue to off-gas for up to months after it is placed into your home.
Vinyl is durable, but like any floor, it can get dirty. A vinyl floor cleaner is safe to use on that type of flooring. Read the bottle to see if the cleaner is meant for vinyl. Distilled water and pH-neutral floor cleaner alone can usually lift light stains and dirt.
Vinyl Flooring “Don'ts”
Don't use wax or solvent-based polishes. Don't use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Ammonia can break down the vinyl and cause it to crack. Don't use a steam cleaner on vinyl plank flooring.
Formaldehyde can also be found in the emissions from vinyl flooring adhesive and the base layer of many laminate flooring types.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Nowadays, thanks to an increase in safety regulations and advancements in technology, most vinyl manufacturers have employed techniques to produce vinyl planks and tiles with very low-VOCs and majority of it is now phthalate-free.
Generally speaking, floors with a nontoxic seal or finish have the lowest VOC levels. These include solid hardwood floors, polished concrete, and tile. Keep in mind that every flooring option comes with a lot of variety. Take the time to consider the different materials and finishes available to you.
Not environmentally friendly
Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations. If this is a concern for you, we recommend avoiding high-VOC vinyl flooring and choosing a low-VOC floor instead.
So is vinyl flooring toxic? Toxicity levels of vinyl flooring were once a major concern dating back to the study discussed above which was conducted in 2015. It's now 2022 and most floor manufacturers have eliminated the use of this chemical and now provide 'phthalates-free' vinyl flooring.
While luxury vinyl flooring has come a long way from its creation and has increased in durability and visual appeal, unfortunately vinyl may decrease your resale value in the long run. It's important to recognize that while you may spend less on vinyl vs.
Increase Fresh Air Ventilation
Bringing in fresh air is key to limiting VOC concentrations in your home, especially after cooking, using a wood fireplace, or doing arts and crafts.
Carbon air filters can capture a lot of VOCs quickly if the airflow rate through the filter is high enough. This makes carbon filters a decent option for short-term situations where you need to quickly “soak” up a lot of VOCs.
Vinyl is a soft material: One of its advantages is also its greatest weakness: its lightness. Heavy furniture can dent and mark vinyl floors, while sharp objects can pierce the upper layers. Discolouration: LVT flooring can suffer from sun damage if laid in conservatories or near south-facing doors/windows.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
By producing your floor as much as possible in-house we know exactly which materials are used and can easily keep control. That is why the VOC emission of your vinyl floor is lower than the European norm, resulting in an A+ rating and M1 label for very low emissions.
Ceramic, Porcelain & Glass Tile
Tile is a safe, non-toxic flooring option that is easy to maintain. Ceramic, porcelain and glass tiles are all durable options for solid-surface flooring and are a great option for rooms with moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens.
When it comes to environmental impact, laminate has a slight edge over vinyl thanks to its recycled wood core. However, the melamine wear layer on the surface is still made of plastic, which may off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be harmful to people and pets.
Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and offgassing. Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can pick up a little bit of offgassing.
Vinyl chloride can irritate the eyes, mucous membranes, and respiratory tract. Escaping compressed gas or liquid can cause frostbite or irritation of the skin and eyes. Chronic exposure can cause permanent liver injury and liver cancer, neurologic or behavioral symptoms, and changes to the skin and bones of the hand.
Exposure to formaldehyde from laminate flooring in the home may cause irritation, cough, or shortness of breath, especially in children and people with asthma or other respiratory problems. Medical therapy should aim to alleviate symptoms and recommend actions to decrease further exposure.
Although levels of formaldehyde emissions from products like laminate flooring decrease over time, significant off-gassing may continue for months and even years. Significant off-gassing from laminate flooring can continue for months and even years.