Eco-friendly vinyl is absolutely the material of choice if you are looking for a flooring solution that is durable, easy to maintain and easy on Mother Nature.
There's nothing like vinyl
Over its whole life cycle, vinyl floor coverings perform well across a range of environmental impacts. As a material, vinyl is ideally suited to being recycled. It is 100% recyclable and can be recycled over 10 times without losing any of its performance properties.
Cork – Durable, hypoallergenic, unique, and eco-friendly, cork is a happy medium between hardwood and vinyl flooring. Similar to vinyl, cork is relatively inexpensive and comes in small sheets or planks. Cork, like hardwood, is a beautiful natural material that can be sustainably harvested.
But it's true—vinyl flooring can also contain harmful VOCs and other chemicals. The good news: low-VOC vinyl flooring has come a long way in recent years. These days, if you know what to look for, it's totally possible to find vinyl plank, LVT, and vinyl sheet that do right by your home and your health.
Specifically, vinyl plank and luxury vinyl plank or luxury vinyl tile flooring are low in VOCs and at low risk for off-gassing. Rolled vinyl flooring is typically higher in off-gassing risk levels.
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.
Due to a lack of viable PVC recycling options, most vinyl floors will end up in a landfill where there is a high probability of incineration. While it can be recycled, this process is difficult due to the high levels of hazardous additives present in the material. Today, less than 1% of PVC is recycled.
"Vinyl is a form of plastic that is quite difficult to recycle," says Dr Sharon George, senior lecturer in the environment and sustainability at Keele University. "The C in PVC means chloride (from chlorine) which is quite toxic and difficult to handle.
Sustainability of Laminate vs Vinyl
On the surface, laminate appears to have the edge. The wood product layer of laminate flooring consists of recycled wood products. That's eco-friendly, it keeps these manufacturing by-products out of landfills. But laminate floors are topped with a layer of plastic material.
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.
As all of its materials are natural, linoleum flooring does not emit any harmful chemical compounds during installation or renovation. Hence, having the lowest environmental impact.
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.
Con: LVP May Dent
Luxury vinyl flooring can dent and even scratch or scuff, especially from heavy appliances, furniture, or other weighty objects. Just because it's resistant to something doesn't mean it's impervious to it. However, do know that LVP resists scratches better than real hardwood.
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.
Non-PVC vinyl is a more environmentally friendly alternative, which is helping us as an industry take a positive step towards a more sustainable future. You still get the durability and versatility of traditional material, but with a greener approach.
Vinyl is inexpensive, long-lasting flooring. But it often contains phthalates, chemicals that have raised safety concerns for young children. Consumer Reports tested to see how much of the phthalates escape into the environment.
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.
They can last for decades. Older vinyl flooring or some flooring products made in China have even been known to contain formaldehyde. The following video shows an investigative report done by 60 minutes into the formaldehyde levels in flooring sold at Lumber Liquidators.
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.
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.
Nowadays, thanks to an increase in safety regulations and technological advancements, most vinyl manufacturers have employed techniques to produce LVP with very low VOCs and the majority of it is NOW phthalate-free!
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.