LVT alternative – Linoleum

DID YOU KNOW:

LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tile is one of the most popular yet toxic flooring choices in our market. It impacts our health both during production and long-term. Vinyl is made from petroleum and PVC—chemicals that are both carcinogens and reproductive toxicants. Vinyl also contains phthalates which can cause birth defects as well as hormone disruption by off-gassing. ¹

Natural linoleum is a great alternative to vinyl flooring and is suitable for many spaces, particularly bathrooms and kitchens due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is low-maintenance and can be installed on wood or concrete subfloor, and typically needs just a coat of natural wax (beeswax and linseed oil) for protection and care. With proper upkeep, these floors have a life expectancy of 40+ years. Natural linoleum is also biodegradable and recyclable.²

When specifying linoleum, be sure to check the product’s composition. The term “linoleum” flooring has been used broadly over the years and applied to generic vinyl flooring.¹ True natural linoleum should only contain a mixture of linseed oil, pine resin, wood flour, cork flour, limestone and pigments pressed together onto a jute backing.²

SPECIFICATION SUGGESTIONS:

✓ Choose linoleum, cork, or natural rubber flooring. These materials are usually made from bio-based ingredients, making them more likely to be free of hazardous ingredients.³

✓ Avoid vinyl flooring. Home improvement retailers have committed to actively avoid selling vinyl flooring that contains phthalates.⁴ However, other plasticizers have been substituted as a result that have not been fully tested for health implications.³

✓ Be cautious of post-consumer recycled vinyl and rubber. The post-consumer recycling process mixes various vinyl products that contain toxic chemicals and plasticizers. Similarly, recycled rubber is derived from recycled tires and can contain harmful substances and hydrocarbon processing oils.³

✓ Avoid flooring made from polyurethane. Polyurethane contains isocyanates and can cause asthma and other respiratory problems.³