Are Vinyl Floors Toxic? - Olde Tyme Floor (2024)

ALL these products are composed of several layers of different materials which are manufactured together to form a highly durable, practical, and affordable floor covering.

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are two different types of luxury vinyl flooring. LVT, vinyl flooring is designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP, vinyl flooring is designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks.

The third type of traditional vinyl flooring is referred to as “Sheet Vinyl”

• Sheet Vinyl comes in widths of 6’ feet, 12’ feet, or 13’6” feet, wide rolls, depending on the manufacturer.
• Sheet Vinyl is soft and comfortable underfoot compared to ceramic tile or hardwood, which is also water-resistant and easy to maintain.

There is no doubt that Sheet Vinyl and Luxury Vinyl flooring have become extremely popular over the years. It has become the “go-to” flooring for most U.S. homeowners for its durability, versatility, and its ability to mimic the genuine good looks of timber flooring.

Not only is it stain-resistant, but it’s also supposed to be waterproof, making it an ideal flooring choice for areas that are prone to moisture and spills. However, a study conducted by Ecology Center from Michigan (EC), revealed that additional chemicals are being used during the manufacturing process of vinyl flooring, which contains a PVC softener, Phthalates.

Let’s quickly dive into the focal points of this study! EC tested vinyl (PVC) flooring tiles purchased at five major US retailers for toxic phthalates.

Most Vinyl tile flooring samples tested contained one or more hazardous chemicals. 58% of the vinyl flooring tiles tested, contained phthalate plasticizers, which are hazardous and are subject to a pending ban in the European Union.Moreover, almost all (89%) of the vinyl flooring samples tested contained organic tin-based stabilizers, and over 50% of the samples tested, contained multiple plasticizers.

The Ecology Center also surveyed these 6 major home improvement retailers to assess whether they have adopted policies to reduce or eliminate phthalates in vinyl flooring.The investigation found for the first time that Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the US and worldwide, was way ahead of the competition. They adopted a policy to phase out phthalates in all virgin vinyl flooring production since 2015.

Lumber Liquidators has also begun to take action as they were working with suppliers and seeking new suppliers to transition all non-recycled vinyl floor products to those with alternative plasticizers rather than those containing phthalates. Lowe's responded verbally and stated that they were beginning to evaluate the issues. The other retailers failed to respond to the survey and to multiple follow-up requests for more information.

Toxicity levels of vinyl flooring were once a major concern dating back to the study discussed above which was conducted in 2015.

It’s now 2022 and most floor manufacturers have eliminated the use of this chemical and now provide ‘phthalates-free’ vinyl flooring.

When in doubt, you can offset these concerns by making sure you purchase vinyl flooring from a qualified manufacturer who employs high-quality materials and resources.

However, it’s always best to consult a quality flooring contractor.

So don’t hesitate to call us (Olde Tyme Floor Company) any time so we will help you to choose and install the right vinyl flooring!

Hardwood flooring is a natural, durable, but expensive flooring option for homes. Due to this, the cheaper, but less durable Vinyl flooring is a widespread alternative (Hardwood flooring is usually favored for its durability, better aesthetic, and resale value!)

Hardwood flooring is made of natural hardwood from lumber that is harvested in forest areas. The price depends on the species of the tree. Hardwood Flooring tends to come in thicker thicknesses: ½” , ⅝”, 9/16”, and ¾” thick.

The veneer or “wear-layer”, ranges from 2mm to 6mm thick as compared to 0.5mm to 5mmthick, vinyl.

Hardwood flooring can last for generations if it’s well-maintained. Depending upon the species of the wood and treatment, the flooring can be extremely damage resistant. It can be repaired or refinished, often at a lesser cost than the replacement of an identical coverage of vinyl flooring. Hardwood flooring is also sought after by home buyers which can increase the resale value of the home it’s installed in..

PROS

• Longer lifespan
• Can add overall value to your home
• Authentic appearance
• Can be repaired and refinished
• Renewable resource

CONS

• More expensive than Vinyl
• Susceptible to moisture and climate damage
• Will require regular refinishing
• Can be damaged by radiant heat

PROS

• Much cheaper
• Easier to install
• Easy to clean and low maintenance
• Impervious to moisture
• Can withstand radiant heat

CONS

• May emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
• Does not impact resale value
• Cannot be repaired
• Shorter lifespan

Having carefully read this article, including all the pros and cons of the two types of floor coverings, you should be able to make an educated decision. We advise you to focus on your family’s wishes, budget, and lifestyle, as LVP can be a wonderful addition to one home while hardwood flooring becomes an integral part of another.

However, what we are 100% sure of is that the beauty of hardwood flooring is timeless. If you’re after an authentic feel characterized by an individual species of wood, nothing will compare to genuine hardwood flooring!

Olde Tyme Floor Company has over 4 decades (42+ years) of experience in installing and refinishing luxury hardwood floors, as we love to provide our customers with the highest quality materials & workmanship!

In trusting us, you’ll be completely satisfied with your new flooring as it won’t matter whether you want a hardwood or LVP installation.