Laminate Flooring: Off-gassing and VOCs
This "article" is the result of questions readers had for me because they felt their situation or concerns weren't addressed in the various laminate flooring articles they had read. Since comments aren't available now I want you to have access to the abundant information provided through these conversations. You may find your questions about the durability of laminate flooring addressed by the answers.
How do you know which laminate floors are made with low voc materials, off gassed at the factory and not made with urea formaldehyde?
Very concerned as I am pregnant.
Thank you!
nicole at October 14, 2007 08:12 PM ----------
You have to go by reputation and advertising. And with advertising it's a crap-shoot.
I know by reputation and advertising Pergo has taken care the off-gassing at the factory. And it makes a great flooring product.
I don't know of the other laminate companies for sure. Read Pergo's information about their off-gassing and then look at other companies that claim to off-gas their laminate products to compare descriptions of what and how they do that. Maybe you'll be able to decide for yourself which products to buy.
Let us know what you buy.
The Flooring Lady at October 15, 2007 05:02 PM
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Your question/comment have gotten me to thinking. It was years ago Pergo had a good reputation for having off-gassed their products. Maybe they have changed their approach and don't off-gas their flooring products, or at least as much. But maybe your friend has such sensitivities that even a careful approach isn't good enough for him. It's really hard to say.
I don't know who you can believe. There may be a site that has scientific evaluation of different products that can guide us all, but I don't know about it. It's really hard to wade through the fact, fiction and hype that's out there. I try to, but I can miss the boat too.
The Flooring Lady at November 14, 2007 09:28 PM
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You can call most of the companies, they will tell you the VOC content. I found a Pergo floor I liked and then found out that the VOC content of Pergo floors in the U.S. are higher than I am willing to bring into my home. Armstrong, Wilsonart, and a few others have better stuff.
Clare at December 9, 2007 08:48 PM
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I recently installed Shaw Key West Laminate flooring. I love the way it looks, but have been waking up at night with headaches. Do you think there could be a connection? I've tried to find the VOC rating, but have been unsuccessful.
Doug at June 2, 2008 02:14 AM
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Hi Doug,
I doubt that the laminate flooring a high VOC. Key West is a laminate that does not require glue, so I would assume that none was used.
Shaw does a very good job of being eco-friendly and now most their products (and glues!) have NO VOC or at least fall into the recommended guidelines as safe. You can contact them at 800-257-7429 to find more info about your particular flooring's VOC rating. Their website is a href="http://www.shawfloors.com" rel="nofollowhttp://www.shawfloors.coma
Just to be fair, it should also be noted that most of the laminate flooring manufactures have gone 'green', it's going to be tough to find products with a high VOC.
If nothing else, at least until you find out the VOC rating for your particular laminate, you could leave the windows open as much as possible to help with off-gassing. It is also said that cut an onion and place it cut-side up in a bowl of water in each room will help remove odors.
The Flooring Lady at June 2, 2008 11:24 AM
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FYI: I did check the Shaw website, clicked on the link at the very bottom of page entitled "Shaw Environmental", from there I clicked on Laminate and chose "Hickory", since I knew that was a choice in the Key West line. Yep, Key West showed up, so it must be one of their environmentally friendly laminates.....but then again, I suspect they all are. :~)
The Flooring Lady at June 2, 2008 04:30 PM
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Hello Flooring Lady,
I just installed a low priced laminate floor
in my apartment. I have not moved in yet, because last Sunday I spent about 6 hours there arranging furniture etc and became very ill. Lung pain, low grade fever...could this be an allergic reaction to the flooring? I have been airing out the apt every chance I get...will the fumes eventually go away?
Thanks Cindy
Cindy at January 5, 2009 04:59 PM
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Hi Cindy,
I doubt it's an allergic reaction to the flooring, but you never know. Most flooring products are trying to be as 'friendly' as possible now and manufactures are making more and more products with low or no VOCs. I don't know what flooring product you bought or what kind of adhesive, so I can't tell you if both are low/no VOC. The odor should dissipate before too long.
The Flooring Lady at January 7, 2009 10:42 AM
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How to find out which of the laminates are manufactured with high VOC ingredients and which are safer ones? Could you please recommend a brand that is safe to use in bedrooms?
Thanks.
Santosh at April 8, 2009 10:32 AM
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Hi Santosh,
I don't make it a practice to recommend one manufacturer over another simply because flooring products change so quickly. Most are low VOC now though - it's very easy to find manufacturer's websites too and look at the products they offer. I have noticed that most flooring manufacturers (whether it be laminates or even carpeting) have something on their homepage about being more environmentally friendly and go into detail as to why their products are so much better now! ;~)
The Flooring Lady at April 14, 2009 12:08 AM
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Dear Sir or Madam, if a laminate floor has a high VOC what are some effects, and how will you know if the product you brought has a high VOC? Thank you.
Greg March
Greg March at November 18, 2009 07:10 PM
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Greg,
VOCs damage air quality and the animals using that space. Humans, and animals too, can experience lung damage, breathing problems like asthma and allergies, when exposed to VOCs, especially over time and while sleeping.
You can learn more about air quality by visiting The Good Air Lady, as well as reading comments provided by readers in this article. Reputable flooring companies share technical information about their laminate flooring, including information about off-gassing.
The Flooring Lady at December 21, 2009 12:30 PM
