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GreenTips
Solid timber flooring systems are usually more durable than veneer on plywood/chipboard as they allow for the floor to be sanded a number of times over its life
When selecting timber flooring, always select timber from sustainable sources which has been certified by a third party, such as FSC or PEFC. (For more information please see our timber pages.)
When choosing a veneered system also look for substrates (plywood or chipboard) that have been produced with low or no formaldehyde content and check that the substrate wood has also been sourced from certified sustainable sources (For more information please see our timber pages.) Beware of floor systems which claim that the total product is 70% certified. This may actually mean that the substrate is certified, but the surface (often endangered) timber is not.
As an alternative to timber flooring products are also available from rapidly renewable resources such as bamboo. This is an extremely hard wearing surface but can involve high levels of VOC emissions from the adhesives used.
Recycled tongue and groove flooring may be available from salvage yards at a reasonable cost.
Timber flooring requires a durable finishing system to protect the timber. Natural wax and oil systems are usually considered to be the most environmentally friendly but they do require a significant amount of maintenance over their life.
Polyurethane is the most common finishing system used. Polyurethane can contain solvents, VOCs and isocyanates. If polyurethane is to be used, water based polyurethane endorsed by the environmental choice labelling scheme should selected. A factory applied finish is almost always preferable to site application.
Mechanical fixing of floorings systems is generally preferable as it simplifies the salvage of materials during demolition. If adhesives are to be used, consider the use of low odour water based alternatives.
Linoleum is made totally from natural products and is biodegradable at the end of its useful life.
A number of manufacturers of synthetic flooring materials have made great efforts to improve the environmental performance of their products by increasing their recycled content. As a result modular carpets can easily be sourced with recycled fibres and recycled backing, vinyl flooring with recycled PVC and rubber flooring made from recycled rubber.
Many international manufacturers provide recycling schemes for their products overseas but because of the small size of the New Zealand market few offer the facility here. In recent years one manufacturer has committed to providing a take back scheme to recycle its New Zealand products.
PVC used in vinyl flooring has been the target of a number of environmental groups as the production, use and disposal of these materials are known to produce dangerous and toxic pollutants such as dioxins. Greenpeace provide one side of the story the other side of the story can be seen at the Australian vinyl industry websiteor the BPF (British Plastic Federation) website.
Flooring adhesives are a regular source of internal air pollution. Always select water based low emission glues and adhesives.
