Personal Flooring & Window Covering Consultations By Appointment Only, Call Ahead For Scheduling
Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Your flooring may be part of the problem.
If you've ever walked into a room with new flooring and noticed a strong smell, you've experienced off-gassing firsthand. That "new floor" odor comes from chemicals releasing into your home's air. Some of these chemicals can affect your family's health over time.
Before you visit any flooring store, it helps to know which materials are safest for your home and family. This guide breaks down what makes flooring toxic. We rank the healthiest options from best to worst. We also give you the right questions to ask when shopping.
By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for. You'll walk into any showroom ready to make a smart choice for your household.
The healthiest flooring options release few or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your home. Here are the top choices ranked by safety:
Avoid vinyl and some laminate products unless they carry FloorScore or GreenGuard Gold certification.
Off-gassing is the release of chemicals into the air as flooring ages. You may notice it as a smell when new floors are installed. That odor fades over time, but some chemicals keep releasing for months or even years.
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are the main concern. These are gases that come from certain solids and liquids. Many flooring products contain VOCs in their finishes, adhesives, or core materials. High VOC levels can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. They can also trigger headaches and breathing problems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors—up to ten times higher—than outdoors.
Formaldehyde is one VOC that gets special attention. It shows up in some adhesives and resins used to bond flooring layers together. The National Toxicology Program classifies formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen. Low-quality laminate and some engineered products may contain urea-formaldehyde resins.
Some people face higher risks from these chemicals:
We've had customers come in specifically because a family member developed allergies after installing cheap laminate. Knowing what's in your flooring matters.
Not all flooring is created equal when it comes to indoor air quality. Here's how the most common options stack up.
Solid hardwood ranks at the top. The planks contain no adhesives. The finish matters most here. Look for water-based polyurethane or natural oil finishes. These release far fewer VOCs than traditional solvent-based coatings.
Ceramic and porcelain tile are inert materials. The tiles themselves produce zero off-gassing. Your variables are the grout and adhesive used during installation. Ask for low-VOC versions of both.
Natural linoleum is not the same as vinyl. True linoleum is plant-based. Manufacturers make it from linseed oil, cork dust, and wood flour pressed onto a jute backing. It's been around for over 150 years and remains one of the safest options available.
Cork flooring comes from renewable bark harvested without cutting down trees. Cork is naturally antimicrobial and low-VOC. Check that any adhesive used in the product is formaldehyde-free.
Bamboo is another renewable choice. Like cork, the health factor depends on how the planks are bonded. Ask about the adhesive specs before buying.
Laminate varies widely by brand and price point. Only buy laminate that carries FloorScore or GreenGuard Gold certification. These labels mean the product has been tested for chemical emissions.
Explore our hardwood and laminate flooring supply to see our options
Some flooring materials deserve a closer look before you buy. This doesn't mean you must avoid them entirely. It means you should ask more questions and check certifications.
Vinyl flooring raises the most concerns. Vinyl is made from PVC, which can release phthalates and other plasticizers into your home. Some vinyl products also contain chlorine. The good news is that many major retailers have eliminated phthalates from their vinyl flooring in recent years. If you prefer vinyl for its water resistance and price, look for phthalate-free options with FloorScore certification.
Low-quality laminate often contains urea-formaldehyde resins in the core. These resins help bond the layers together but can off-gas for years. Bargain laminate from unknown brands is the biggest risk. Certified products from reputable manufacturers are much safer.
Carpet with synthetic backing can trap allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores. The backing and adhesives may also emit VOCs. If you want carpet, choose low-VOC options and have it installed with tack strips instead of glue.
Engineered hardwood falls in the middle. The top layer is real wood, but the core uses plywood or fiberboard. Engineered hardwood can be a healthy choice if the core uses formaldehyde-free adhesives. Not all products do.
When we source engineered hardwood, we verify the adhesive specs with every manufacturer. You should expect any flooring store to do the same.
Walking into a showroom with the right questions puts you in control. Any reputable flooring store should welcome these and have clear answers ready.
If a salesperson can't answer these questions or seems unsure, consider shopping elsewhere.
Our flooring visualizer takes out the guesswork. You can see your space changed right away.
Upload a photo of your room. Pick a product from our collection. Watch what happens instantly. The realistic picture shows you exactly how different floors will look in your actual space.
Step 1: Upload your photo. | Step 2: Pick a product. | Step 3: See the change right away!
Use the visualizer to pick your favorites online. Then ask for those specific samples to test in person. This gives you both online ease and hands-on proof.
Try the Pro Floors and Blinds Flooring Visualizer today!
Not all flooring stores stock certified low-VOC products. Some carry only a handful of healthier options. Others don't track certification status at all. It pays to ask before you visit.
Shopping locally gives you advantages you won't find online. You can see and touch samples in person. You can ask questions and get answers on the spot. You can verify certifications yourself by checking product labels and spec sheets.
A health-conscious flooring showroom will have staff who know the difference between natural linoleum and vinyl. They can pull up Safety Data Sheets without hesitation. They stock FloorScore and GreenGuard Gold certified products across multiple price points.
A recent customer came in after her pediatrician recommended removing vinyl flooring from her child's bedroom. We helped her choose GreenGuard-certified hardwood within her budget. She left with a plan that worked for her family's health and her wallet.
Your flooring covers more square footage than almost anything else in your home. It makes sense to choose materials that support your indoor air quality rather than work against it.
We're here to help you find the right fit. Call ahead to schedule a time, and we'll walk you through every option.
Profloors & Blinds, 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1, Spokane, WA 99212 (509) 866-6776 Personal Flooring & Window Covering Consultations By Appointment Only, Call Ahead For Scheduling
Let one of our experts help you find the perfect floor!
Spokane - 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1
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