- Look for an indoor-air certification, like FloorScore or Greenguard Gold, on vinyl, laminate and engineered wood.
- For wood products with composite cores, ask about formaldehyde emission compliance.
- Adhesives and finishes count too. Ask for low-VOC versions.
- A little "new floor" smell that fades in days is common. Strong, lasting odours aren't.
The common labels
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| FloorScore | Hard-surface flooring tested for VOC emissions against an indoor air standard |
| Greenguard / Greenguard Gold | Low chemical emissions. Gold has stricter limits, aimed at schools and healthcare |
| Formaldehyde compliance (composite wood) | Limits on formaldehyde from HDF and plywood cores |
| FSC | Responsibly sourced wood. About forests, not air |
We found Mercier advertising Greenguard Gold for one of its finishes, and Goodfellow's catalogue lists where each laminate is made. Good brands publish this. Ask if it's not on the box.
After install
- Ventilate for a few days: windows open, fans on.
- Glue-down installs: follow the adhesive's cure and airing instructions.
Common questions
Is vinyl flooring toxic?
Certified products are tested for low VOC emissions. Look for FloorScore or Greenguard certification, ventilate after install, and choose low-VOC adhesives for glue-down floors.
What does FloorScore certified mean?
That a hard-surface flooring product has been tested for volatile organic compound emissions and meets an indoor air quality standard.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.