Question from Laurel
Hi Debra,
Thank you so much for all your help.
I’m looking at an engineered wood floor by a company called Simple Floors.com
I want to ask them about their construction materials and emissions levels, but am not sure what exactly to ask for so they know what I mean. Is there a standard report that companies have available with that sort of info? They just tell me about what good quality it is, but can’t give me any specifics.
Unfortunately we can’t afford the companies that are known for their non-toxicity (Eco Timber, Kahrs)
Thank you,
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know that there is a standard report that flooring companies have available, but they should understand if you ask them about indoor air quality emissions. They should be able to provide you with some kind of lab test results that show emissions.
When looking for an engineered floor, the main things that may be a problem in terms of toxicity are the substrait wood, the adhesive and the finish.
Usually the flooring has high-quality hardwood on top, with a lesser quality solid wood beneath. However, the substrait wood could be particleboard or plywood.
Many adhesives contain highly toxic solvents, which can outgass, so watch out for this.
The finish is usually fine, as it is baked on, which bakes off any toxic solvents it may contain at the time of application.
