Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Planks

Waterproof vinyl flooring, known as “luxury vinyl tile,” that look like wood or tile has recently taken over the market. Although it is a practical choice for many installations, it is not usually a good environmental choice. 

LVT and LVP vinyl floors are PLASTIC. With the world’s efforts to cut back on the use of plastic it is a shame that these products have gained such popularity. Vinyl floors will end up in landfills and not break down for hundreds of years. And when they do break down the become tiny particles that continue to be a problem for the environment.

That being said, some vinyl floors are better than others particularly when it comes to indoor air quality and VOCs. High quality vinyl floors will last longer than cheaper ones so they won’t end up in the landfill as soon.

Core Tec by US Floors, one of the brands we carry, is certified Greenguard Gold for low VOC emissions. Other products we carry use stone powders in the core material rather than vinyl. And another waterproof floor has a wood veneer and stone core so is much better for the environment. It is important when buying these floors to make sure they are third party certified for low VOCs and that they meet other “green” standards for how they were produced. There is plenty of good information available online regarding waterproof flooring.

Waterproof
Vinyl

Good Better Best
Eco-friendly
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Kid/pet friendly      yellowleaf
Maintenance      yellowleaf
Cost/Value      yellowleaf

 

Stonecore 

Good Better Best
Eco-friendly
 
   yellowleaf
Kid/pet friendly      yellowleaf
Maintenance      yellowleaf
Cost/Value      yellowleaf

 

At Underfoot we often recommend other flooring options at the same price as vinyl floors. Products such as cork and Marmoleum planks are not waterproof but they are fairly resistant and are a much better choice when considering environmental factors and indoor air quality.