When it comes to flooring, homeowners expect a few things.
Most people focus on purchasing flooring that looks great, is durable, and is easy to maintain.
However, one aspect of flooring selection that is commonly overlooked is the product’s potential impact on indoor air quality.
To address this concern and prioritize the well-being of our customers, we take this matter very seriously. At Flooret, we are dedicated to providing you with sustainably sourced flooring that is certified by accredited third parties as safe for the whole family, pets included.
When you browse our collections, you will notice that our products are FloorScore Certified and, in the case of our Silvan Resilient Hardwood Collection, GreenGuard Gold Certified as well.
And while labels and certificates are nice to look at, we want our customers to know precisely what these certifications mean and why they are valuable. This article is going to guide you through the process of how flooring products earn each of these labels.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
It all has to do with indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air inside homes and other structures as it relates to the health and comfort of those who live or work there.
This includes the presence of pollutants, such as chemicals, gasses, and particulate matter, as well as the air's temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
Poor indoor air quality can cause various health problems, such as allergies, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses, as well as headaches, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Many people with older carpet installed will be familiar with some of these effects, as softer flooring materials, like carpet, can hold onto allergens and contribute to poor indoor air quality.
FloorScore and GreenGuard are certifications that mark a product as one that has been tested and found to have little to no emissions of the above pollutants, making the product safe to put in your home or business.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into these certifications now.
What is FloorScore Certification?
FloorScore is the most recognized indoor air quality certification standard for all hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments.
It was developed by SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) with the RFCI (Resilient Floor Covering Institute), a leading industry trade association of flooring manufacturers and suppliers.
It is a voluntary and independent certification program that tests flooring material and weighs its risks to indoor air quality, as explained above.
To test the flooring, product samples are taken and then lab-tested using a set of stringent criteria for unacceptable levels of elements such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and organic chemicals with established CRELs (Chronic Reference Exposure Levels).
To be considered for certification, the flooring material must pass these testing requirements and meet the low emission standards set by the FloorScore certification program.
A FloorScore certification ensures that the product is not contributing to poor quality air in the structure it is installed in. All of Flooret’s flooring collections are FloorScore certified.
What is GreenGuard Certification?
Much like FloorScore, a GreenGuard certification tests for various pollutants that could contribute to poor indoor air quality in a home or business.
The main difference between these two is that, while FloorScore tests are only for flooring material, GreenGuard can test a wide variety of products besides flooring, such as building materials, furniture, child and educational products, healthcare products, cleaning and personal care products, and electronic equipment.
GreenGuard was developed by UL Solutions, a division of Underwriters Laboratories and a well-known leader in global safety science.
To obtain a GreenGuard Certification, products must undergo rigorous testing and meet strict chemical emission limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that can affect the indoor air quality of homes or businesses.
Testing is conducted in a specialized chamber where products are exposed to various conditions designed to simulate indoor environments.
If emissions criteria are met, the product can be awarded a GreenGuard Certification and display the logo on its packaging, helping buyers identify which products are safe for human health.
A GreenGuard Gold label means that the product meets even more stringent requirements and is designed to help identify products that are safe for use in sensitive areas where even higher air quality standards are needed, such as schools, daycares, and healthcare facilities. Flooret’s Silvan Resilient Hardwood Collection is GreenGuard Gold Certified.
Why is This Important?
Many people don’t consider their flooring or any fixture in their home as something that can adversely affect their health, but, unfortunately, this must be considered when making a purchase.
According to a study by the EPA (Environment Protection Agency), people in the United States spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, with a significant portion of that time spent in their homes.
Most people spend their leisure time at home, prepare meals at home, sleep at home, walk barefoot at home, and, for a growing number of the population, work at home as well.
Because of this, it is crucial that the indoor air quality of your home is as high as it can be to preserve the health of you and your family, your pets, and your guests.
Flooret: Certified Safe Flooring
For your protection, it is essential to us here at Flooret that our Modin Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring is low-emission and safe to install anywhere. We regularly retest this collection and renew its certifications, and we are proud to say that Modin LVP is a zero VOC flooring option that is safe for everyone.
Our Silvan Resilient Hardwood Collection is also certified as a low-emission flooring option that is safe for every space. It features both FloorScore and GreenGuard Gold Certifications and is our most sustainable flooring option.
Your home deserves flooring that gives you a beautiful base to build on and is safe for you and your family. We invite you to browse our collection with confidence, knowing that all our flooring has passed the rigorous safety requirements needed to be FloorScore certified.
If you have any further concerns, our flooring experts are here to answer any questions and help you find the flooring that best fits your needs. You can reach our team via live chat on our site, email, or phone.
