Adhesives

Adhesives are just as important to consider when purchasing flooring as the flooring itself. Adhesives with harmful toxins can damage indoor air quality by giving off harmful gasses.

Green Tips for Adhesives:

• Choose low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Do not contain formaldehyde
• Qualify for the Carpet and Rug Institutes Indoor Air Quality green label

Cleaners

Cleaners may also contribute to indoor air quality and should, therefore, be considered as part of a green flooring project.

Green Tips of Cleaners:

• Choose products with natural ingredients
• Consider homemade cleaners like vinegar, baking soda or mild dishwashing detergent
• Read labels thoroughly for ingredients

What you can do at home to improve and maintain your green living space:

1. Keep caulked areas caulked. Every degree of temperature variance in a home can result in up to 10% addition to your heating and cooling expenses.

2. Check your doors. Energy can be lost through doors that are not spaced properly from the floor. If you are having flooring replaced or added a professional installer can check your doors for proper install height.

3. Minimize use of space heaters. Spaces heaters are energy hogs and can generate more than 2 pounds of greenhouse gas per hour. These heaters don’t help your hardwood floors because the heaters increase the contraction of hardwood floors.

4. Low-emitting Materials. Install flooring that is certified to reduce low emission standard.

5. Insulation. If remodeling, ask about putting insulation between the floors to reduce heating and cooling expenses.

6. Retailer. Hire a retailer or contractor that is knowledgeable about green flooring products and installation.