What is Green, Sustainable, Eco Friendly, Non-Toxic, Low VOC Flooring?
Choosing flooring is hard enough, and then add in all the buzz words to sort through when looking for a flooring that is safer for you and your family. Green Flooring, Eco-Friendly Flooring, Sustainable Flooring, Natural Flooring, Renewable Flooring, Recycled Flooring, Non-Toxic Flooring, etc. Seems like we hear new names all the time!
At Three Little Dogs we strive to sort through all of this and find out what is all really means for you and your floors. Then we can help you make decisions based on what is important to you and your home. Here are some of the certifications to look out for when purchasing flooring and what they mean.
FloorScore® certification is a rigorous indoor air quality (IAQ) testing standard for hard surface flooring, adhesives, and underlayments. It ensures these products meet strict limits on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, promoting healthier indoor environments. Products with FloorScore certification are tested in accordance with California’s Section 01350 and approved by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).
Assure Certified by SCS Global Services
ASSURE CERTIFIED standard provides verification that the flooring product was manufactured to the highest standards and meets all the ASSURE CERTIFIED™ requirements for indoor air quality, rigorous performance, and low heavy metals & ortho-phthalates content. ASSURE CERTIFIED builds on the popular certification for indoor air quality in flooring, FloorScore®.
Healthy For You
CARB Verified, when referring to flooring, means that the product meets the emissions standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This certification ensures that the flooring materials release low levels of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), promoting better indoor air quality and safety. CARB Verified flooring is environmentally responsible and complies with strict air pollution regulations, making it a healthier choice for residential and commercial spaces.
CARB II Compliant refers to flooring products that meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 formaldehyde emission standards. These standards limit the amount of formaldehyde released from composite wood products, including flooring materials such as engineered hardwood and laminate. Flooring labeled as CARB II compliant ensures lower formaldehyde emissions, promoting healthier indoor air quality and meeting strict environmental regulations. This compliance is essential for consumers seeking safer, eco-friendly flooring options.
Greenguard Gold Certification for flooring is a rigorous standard that ensures products have low chemical emissions, contributing to healthier indoor air quality. This certification, awarded by UL Environment, requires flooring materials to meet strict limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful pollutants. It is particularly important for spaces such as homes, schools, and healthcare facilities where vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, spend significant time. Choosing Greenguard Gold certified flooring demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility and occupant health by minimizing exposure to indoor air contaminants.
Green Label Plus Certification for carpet is a stringent indoor air quality standard established by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). It ensures that carpets meet low emissions criteria for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to healthier indoor environments. Products with this certification are scientifically tested and verified to emit minimal levels of harmful chemicals, making them safer for homes and commercial spaces, particularly benefiting individuals with allergies or respiratory issues. This certification is often preferred by building professionals and designers aiming for sustainable, eco-friendly flooring options.
Lacey Act Compliant flooring refers to wood and wood-derived products that meet the requirements set forth by the Lacey Act, a U.S. law aimed at preventing illegal logging and the trade of unlawfully harvested timber. To be Lacey Act compliant, flooring materials must come from legally sourced trees, with documented chain of custody verifying the origin and legality of the wood. This includes proper declarations of species, quantity, and value when importing or selling wood products. Compliance ensures ethical sourcing, helps protect global forests, and supports sustainable forestry practices. Flooring businesses like Three Little Dogs prioritize Lacey Act compliance to guarantee customers receive products that align with environmental responsibility and legal standards.
Healthy for the Environment
FSC Certification stands for Forest Stewardship Council certification. It is a globally recognized standard that ensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. FSC certification verifies that the wood or paper used in flooring and design materials is sourced sustainably, following strict guidelines to protect ecosystems, wildlife, and workers' rights. Choosing FSC-certified products supports sustainable forestry practices and helps reduce deforestation and environmental impact.
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification for floors is a globally recognized standard that evaluates the sustainability and environmental impact of flooring products throughout their entire lifecycle. This certification ensures that materials used in the flooring are safe, recyclable, and produced through eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Floors certified under C2C principles are designed for continuous reuse, promoting a circular economy by minimizing waste and reducing the depletion of natural resources. The certification assesses key factors such as material health, material reutilization, renewable energy use, water stewardship, and social fairness. Choosing Cradle to Cradle certified flooring means investing in products that prioritize both human and environmental health while supporting innovative and sustainable flooring solutions.
LEED certification for flooring refers to the evaluation and recognition of flooring materials and installation practices based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. LEED is a globally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which promotes sustainable and environmentally responsible construction.
Flooring products that contribute to LEED certification typically meet criteria related to low environmental impact, such as:
Use of recycled or rapidly renewable materials
Low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for improved indoor air quality
Responsibly sourced raw materials
Durability and long lifecycle to reduce waste
Some examples of products we offer that meet these high standards.
Earth Weave Carpet uses only 100% natural materials. Bio-Floor™ carpet is completely different than any of the other wool carpets made today that are full of claims to be eco-friendly and natural. Those products are full of synthetic chemicals whether it is the non-organic face yarn dyes, mothproofing, stain protection and/or in the synthetic styrene butadiene adhesive backing.
We use a Stauf urethane-based adhesive for our wood flooring installations. Unlike other Urethane adhesives, it contains no isocyanates, the primary chemical in other urethane adhesives that will etch fine floor finishes and are a suspected carcinogen. Nor does it contain any solvents or other hazardous materials. It is, therefore, safe for the ozone and the environment. And it is certified to meet some of the toughest "green" product requirements in Europe and the world. It qualifies for LEED credits. This adhesive is waterproof when fully cured and will not dissolve if it gets wet. This adhesive has earned the highest ranking by the European Association for Control of Emissions for Flooring.
Site-finished solid hardwood is reliable due to its durability and long-lasting nature. Made from a single piece of wood, it can withstand heavy foot traffic and daily wear better than other flooring. Its ability to be sanded and refinished multiple times extends its lifespan, allowing homeowners to restore its original beauty even after years of use. Additionally, solid hardwood responds well to changes in humidity when properly installed and maintained. This combination of strength, longevity, and renewability makes solid hardwood a dependable flooring choice.
We also have the option for you to use Bona Traffic HD®. The best hardwood floor finish providing unsurpassed scuff, scratch and chemical resistance and is very low VOCs. It is Greenguard Gold Certified.
In addition, solid hardwood under 4” wide is nailed during installation so no adhesive is needed.
The Palmetto Road Veranda Charleston flooring collection is CARB II Verified, ensuring it meets the stringent formaldehyde emission standards set by the California Air Resources Board. This verification guarantees a healthier indoor air quality by significantly reducing harmful emissions. Additionally, the collection is Lacey Act Compliant, confirming that all wood materials are sourced legally and responsibly. This compliance supports sustainable forestry practices and prevents the trade of illegal wood products, offering peace of mind alongside superior quality and design.