Just because you want to “go green” doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of “green” to do it! Lots of people think that you have to spring for something expensive – like cork or bamboo – to get flooring that’s good for the environment.
But, a lot of those people don’t realize just how eco-friendly vinyl flooring is. That’s why we’ve come up with answers to a lot of “green” questions:
1. How is vinyl flooring eco-friendly?
Composition vinyl – the most common type and the most durable vinyl – is made out of recycled vinyl materials. In fact, 99% of the scrap vinyl that’s discarded during the manufacturing process is actually recycled and used again!
And, if you really want to go green, there are even eco-friendly vinyl flooring adhesives on the market that are incredibly strong and virtually odor and emission-free.
Plus, vinyl flooring lasts for years and years, so it’s not like you need to replace it very often. Compare that to the 5 billion pounds of carpet that wind up in landfills every year!
And, since you can clean vinyl flooring with a traditional mop and bucket, you don’t need to worry about using any harsh chemicals to keep it looking good.
2. Is vinyl flooring toxic?
No!
According to a study done by the U.S. Department of Commerce, vinyl flooring actually gives off fewer toxic chemicals than other types of flooring – like linoleum. Plus, in that same study, vinyl actually out-performed most other floors in all measures of Indoor Air Quality.
Plus, since vinyl flooring is moisture-resistant, it is not a haven for toxic mold, like other flooring can be.
3. Does vinyl flooring give off fumes?
No!
Decades ago, vinyl flooring had a distinctive plastic smell – similar to a beach ball. However, manufacturers spent years working hard to get rid of any fumes, and they have succeeded!
Vinyl flooring may give off a slight odor when it is first installed, but that smell is only temporary. Opening a window or turning on a ceiling fan is enough to get rid of it, quickly.
4. Does vinyl flooring come with any health risks?
Vinyl flooring tiles installed before the 1970’s had asbestos in the backing underneath them. But now that asbestos is a thing of the past, vinyl flooring is just as safe as other types of flooring. The materials used in today’s vinyl flooring have been thoroughly tested; they meet both government and independent science organizations’ standards for safety.
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