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Question from Mira

Hi Debra,

I’m considering asking my condo HOA Board for permission to install wood floors in my 2nd story unit. They would require acoustic insulation so the neighbor living below me doesn’t hear footsteps/noise. There are cork and polyurethane underlayment options, which can be used separately or in combination. Or, I could get wall-to-wall wool carpet with felt pad. (Neither option is ideal I know, but I want to do the best I can).

The wood floor would need one or both of these types of underlayment:

WE Cork Soundless and Soundless+ underlayment MSDS:
http://www.wecork.com/wp-content/forms/Soundless_Soundless+MSDS.pdf

Healthier Choice Sound Solution Acoustic Underlayment (contains antimicrobial) MSDS:
http://www.menards.com/msds/104543_001.pdf

(I wonder if the polyurethane underlayment would be safe with the wood flooring over it. It has a very slight odor).

VERSUS:

http://www.hiberniawoolcarpet.com/display-color.asp?s=Habitat&clr=Seashell

I’ve home tested dozens of natural, green, wool carpets samples and the only ones I didn’t react to were two styles made by Hibernia Woolen Mills: Elements and Habitat. These are triple washed and contain no dyes. I detect no smell from them. They are low pile berber carpets which collect dust less than pile carpet and are easier to vacuum and keep clean.

with

http://www.rugpadcorner.com/shop/superior/

I love this carpet pad — my friend has it under her area rug. It has no smell whatsoever and feels wonderful underfoot. It can be used for wall-to-wall also.

What do you think of each option and which would you choose?

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

I looked at the MSDS sheets for the floor underlayment and they both were fine.

They both contain polyurethane, however, polyurethane itself is not toxic, it’s the chemicals they add to it to make polyurethane foam and polyurethane floor finish that make these products toxic.

The antimicrobial the Healthier Choice underlayment is Hydrated Alumina, which is well known for it’s antibacterial properties. This is a particle suspended in and surrounded by a polymer–like a seed in honey–so there is no exposure to it.

So either choice would be fine with me.

I think you’d have less problem with the HOA if you chose the carpet. [And that’s what she did.]

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