Back in the day, vinyl floors were considered the lower end of flooring options given the cheap look that they typically produced. People used vinyl and linoleum in the same breath even though they are actually different products: Vinyl is man made whereas linoleum is natural.
While vinyl flooring is made from 100% synthetic materials and is a petroleum-based product, newer vinyl flooring products emit little to no toxins. Vinyl flooring products have traditionally contained other chemicals including PVC and phthalates which some retailers like Home Depot have stopped selling.
But newer vinyl flooring options emit low – and in some cases zero – volatile organic compounds and are thus healthier and non-toxic than other vinyl flooring products.
In other words, it’s complicated: Some vinyl flooring products are toxic whereas others aren’t.
Since there are different kinds of vinyl flooring with varying levels of quality, let’s take a look at each to learn more about what they offer and potential hazards you should be aware of.
Is vinyl flooring bad for your health?
It depends on what type of vinyl flooring you choose. As we’ll see below, there are newer vinyl flooring options that are low and zero VOC which means the amount of volatile organic compounds that are potentially released are low or zero depending on what product you choose.
The lower the level of VOCs inside your home, the better and since they come from a variety of sources, any time you can eliminate one source means a healthier home.
Cheaper vinyl that you stick to the floor tend to be lower quality and less environmentally friendly and more so if you combine it with a glue or other adhesive that also contains VOCs.
Is luxury vinyl plank flooring toxic?
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are common names you will see when shopping for vinyl flooring. As the name would suggest LVP comes in plank form similar to wood flooring and LVT comes in tile shape similar to regular ceramic or porcelain floor tiles.
The word luxury connotes high end but in this case, it has little to do with whether or not the product is environmentally safe.
A study from Healthy Stuff
showed that numerous brands of vinyl tiles including various brands of LVP and LVT contained phthalate, a material that since then has been removed from many vinyl flooring products.
Some retailers such as Home Depot committed back in 2015 to no longer sell vinyl flooring that contains phthalate too.
Having said that, vinyl flooring manufacturers are reducing and in some cases eliminating the dangerous toxins that have traditionally been part of their make-up.
Is off gassing a concern with vinyl flooring?
A simple example of off gassing is the so-called new car smell.
Off gassing or outgassing refers to the release of gases and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from new products such as mattresses, couches and other furniture, paint, wood finishes, carpet and even other flooring options such as wood and vinyl.
In particular, glue or other adhesives often used to hold flooring down may also contain VOCs that can be released in the air.
Vinyl is a petroleum-based product which means it comes from oil. Vinyl will off gas in your home as it ages. When you consider that homes are increasingly built airtight, you can see how a build up of gases and chemicals within your home is possible. This is especially true in a new home with new flooring, furniture, mattresses and other products made from various chemicals.
The easiest way to reduce the chance of off gassing in your home is to remove the source which of course is easier said than done since you might replace products with other ones that also off gas.
But you can also increase ventilation in your home to allow more fresh air in your home to circulate.
You can also take a look at your HVAC system as modern – albeit expensive – systems can filter out VOCs. You may also look at higher quality furnace filters which can filter out VOCs for a lower cost alternative.
What is the safest vinyl flooring?
- Look for low and zero-VOC vinyl flooring products. Brands such as Mannington, Pergo, Adura, Sono Eclipse and Hallmark Floors have low and zero-VOC options with wider product availability expected in the future.
- Look for vinyl tiles that don’t have phthalates.
If you want to look outside vinyl, you may also consider natural solid hardwood, wood-look tiles, linoleum or concrete among other choices for low and no VOC options.
Wood-look porcelain and ceramic tiles are VOC free but check with each brand and model to be sure and also avoid using any adhesives or glues that can contain VOCs. They are becoming an increasingly popular choice for flooring. They look like wood but are more durable and are actually made from ceramic or porcelain.
Summary
Vinyl flooring has traditionally been bought and installed due to its relative low cost and ease of use. As we’ve become more aware of air quality and pollution however, we discovered that the things that make vinyl flooring durable also contribute to poorer air quality and pollution.
The average person probably doesn’t think too much about off gassing and other hazards with respect to the flooring within their home. Any time you choose a synthetic or man made product, you run the risk of (un)knowingly adding chemicals in the air you breathe.
Look for low and zero-VOC vinyl tiles options which are becoming increasingly common as manufacturers are required to produce products that emit far fewer chemicals than in the past.
If you’re looking for other flooring options with the fewest toxins, look at non-toxic and environmentally friendly options that may include real hardwood flooring, ceramic tiles, and wood look tiles.
Carpets give off Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) so if you desire some sort of broadloom, consider a rug that can be easily removed and taken outside for cleaning. One benefit of vinyl flooring is that it tends to be warmer to the touch when walking on it, more so than tile or wood.