Safest Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Many consumers are opting for vinyl or linoleum flooring because they are durable versatile and economical options.

Safest luxury vinyl flooring.

This means less flooring in landfills and ultimately lower impact on health and environmental concerns. Pvc is one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials produced. Consumer reports just tested a variety of vinyl flooring to see which ones were the best and safest. However it is made of new or recycled polyvinyl chloride or pvc.

Since luxury vinyl s quality is often based on its thickness you ll find that shaw s luxury vinyl plank flooring lines are all at least 5 mm thick or about 0 197 of an inch thick. Vinyl is made from pvc or polyvinyl chloride plastic which produces toxic chemicals during manufacturing like dioxin a carcinogen and reproductive toxicant. It is very low voc and most of it is phthalate free now though those were replaced with alternate plasticizers. Today s vinyl comes in all kinds of patterns.

I know most of us think vinyl is one of the worst options. Different flooring manufacturers use different processes in manufacturing their luxury vinyl flooring. There is a huge difference between lvp and sheet vinyl flooring. In full bathrooms and damp locations such as basements vinyl flooring materials excel over laminate materials.

Some manufacturers prioritize using a high proportion of post consumer recycled content in their flooring tiles and others prioritize the durability that comes with using only 100 virgin vinyl. Some look a lot like marble wood or even stone. All types of vinyl flooring are not just water resistant but are waterproof. If you plan on using click lock flooring the latter won t be an issue but vocs can be produced by poor quality products.

Luxury vinyl tile lvt flooring has recently become popular due to its durability price and unique looking surfaces. The flooring giant lumber liquidators was accused of selling illegally sourced laminate wood with high levels of formaldehyde a known carcinogen. Vinyl floors last a long time especially durable vinyl floors with thick wear layers. Additionally shaw s wear layers are a full 20 mil thick or about 0 02 of an inch thick.

Vinyl and linoleum flooring. Most vinyl flooring contains multiple harmful chemicals including the same phthalates that have been banned from children s toys. There are two things to worry about with indoor air quality the flooring itself and adhesives. Does luxury vinyl flooring off gas is it safe in my home.