When it’s time to install new flooring in a home or business, the first things most people think about are aesthetics, durability, and price. One item that doesn’t often make the list of top considerations is how flooring choices can impact indoor air quality (IAQ), especially in the colder months when windows are kept closed and ventilation is limited.
Because IAQ directly impacts the health and comfort of the people inside a building, it’s important to understand how certain flooring materials can emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), collect or release allergens and pollutants, and either manage or worsen moisture conditions and the potential for mold growth.
With all this in mind, we’re taking a closer look at how your next flooring installation can look fantastic while ensuring a healthy indoor environment year-round.
Flooring for Nashville Homes and Businesses—Important Considerations
The colder months in Nashville and Middle Tennessee mean sealed interiors, higher heating, and less fresh air entering your space. This reduced ventilation can trap indoor pollutants or allergens.
Choosing the right flooring (something with low VOCs and thoughtful installation processes) can make an immediate difference in IAQ.
Vinyl Flooring Installation: Low-VOC Options for Winter IAQ
Vinyl flooring has become one of the most popular choices for both homes and businesses for its durability, affordability, and moisture resistance. One caveat to bear in mind, however, is that older types of vinyl flooring installation can release VOCs from adhesives and other materials if low-emission products aren’t selected.
These days, many modern vinyl planks and tiles carry industry certifications indicating significantly reduced emissions. When paired with the right adhesives or installation methods, vinyl is a strong, IAQ-friendly choice for homes and businesses.
Ask our experts at Ozburn-Hessey about the installation methods and adhesive materials they recommend for your space to optimize the benefits of this widely used product.
Cushioned Vinyl Flooring & Soft Vinyl Flooring: Comfy IQA Choices
Cushioned vinyl flooring and soft vinyl flooring offer comfort, noise reduction, and slip resistance, making them well-suited for family homes, healthcare and public spaces, and retail environments. They often use less adhesive, and modern versions focus on better IAQ and phthalate-free materials.
Laminate Flooring Installation: What to Consider
Laminate remains a favorite for homeowners who want the look of wood without the additional cost. During laminate flooring installation, however, IAQ can become an issue. Traditional and older laminate flooring products commonly use adhesives, specifically urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins, to bind wood fibers in the core layer. These resins are not always chemically stable and can break down over time, releasing formaldehyde gas into the air. This is known as ‘off-gassing.’ In winter, when homes are tightly sealed, a lack of fresh air circulation can allow emitted formaldehyde to accumulate and become more noticeable indoors.
As a result, many modern laminate flooring products now adhere to strict standards that limit formaldehyde emissions. Today’s manufacturers offer products that are formaldehyde-free or that use more stable resins like melamine-formaldehyde. Floating laminate systems reduce the need for adhesives, making them an equally excellent option.
Commercial Carpet: It’s Come a Long Way
Carpet often gets a bad rap when it comes to indoor air quality, but modern commercial carpet is engineered to be far healthier than carpet products from past generations.
Low-pile, solution-dyed fibers trap airborne particles, helping to reduce pollutants in the air. It is important, however, to vacuum carpet regularly with HEPA-filtered equipment to eliminate these particles instead of letting them build up.
When choosing your carpet, ensure it is certified under the CRI’s Green Label Plus, which guarantees low-VOC emissions. It’s also important to select professional contractors, such as our team at Ozburn-Hessey, for proper installation and backing materials. We can also help guide you in proper maintenance protocols to enhance overall IAQ at your business, school, or office.
Linoleum Flooring: Naturally Better for IAQ
Linoleum flooring, not to be confused with sheet vinyl, is made primarily from natural materials such as linseed oil, pine resins, cork dust, and jute backing. It is naturally antimicrobial, biodegradable, and one of the lowest-emitting flooring materials available. All these factors make linoleum a great choice for winter for homes and businesses, when fresh indoor air circulation is at its lowest.
Cushioned flooring offers a comfortable walking surface that’s resilient and reduces allergen accumulation. Many cushioned flooring materials are produced with fewer chemicals and have strong emissions certifications, giving you the peace of mind you need.
How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home or Business
The right flooring goes beyond pleasing aesthetics. Pollutant levels and VOCs also need to be considered.
To ensure you’re fully informed when choosing your flooring, partner with Ozburn-Hessey. We have decades of collective experience in all types of flooring installations and are here to help you make the right choice for your needs. Family owned and operated since 1953, we’re part of the Middle Tennessee community, and it’s important to us that we produce the best possible results for our clients, always.
Improve winter indoor air quality with low-VOC flooring and professional installation methods. Contact our team of certified contractors at Ozburn-Hessey.