PVC free flooring for master bedroom and bath

4 years ago

Was going to put LVT flooring in Master and bathroom, however, read about the PVC chemicals in LVT - due to health issue (cancer - ugh!!) looking into bamboo or engineered hardwood. Need suggestions on brands. Prefer floating - less chemicals. Live in the southeast with lots of humidity in the summer. No pets or kids. Budget is $5.00 sq. ft. Open to suggestions for "green" flooring. Thank you!

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SJ McCarthy

4 years ago

In the bathroom = tile. Porcelain is awesome and timeless and perfect for all wet areas. For master bedroom, you can choose an engineered hardwood that can be floating. Please be aware that not all engineered hardwood floors are allowed to be floated.

And please be aware that engineered hardwoods contain quite a bit of adhesive (layers of wood glued together). Your price range is LOW for a 'chemical free' engineered hardwood. To get into the 'healthy' range you will need to look at $8-$12/sf for the engineered hardwood. Anything else is going to be 'suspect'.

With your price range (ignoring the bathroom) I would look into the HIGH END laminates out of Europe. The Swiss company, Lico, produce some of the LOWEST VOC content flooring on the planet. Lower than a Chinese $5/sf engineered hardwood - for sure.

Please, please, please do NOT use Bamboo. Bamboo is 30% adhesive (how else do you keep strands of grass held together?) and your price range is extremely low for a quality bamboo. And bamboo, even the best stuff, is VERY picky. It is super picky. And because it is picky, it is super tricky to keep happy. Your humidity has to be PIN POINT accurate. Like 'touch of a button' and the humidity drops by 10% inside of 12hrs (you need a whole home humidistat for bamboo).

Please look into tile for the bathroom and a SUPER HIGH END laminate from Europe. That's about all your budget can handle (and the demand for low VOC content flooring).

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Comments (7)

PRO
rh
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you, SJ. Lots of good information here. I will look into the laminate from Europe and consider tile for bathroom although I hate the cold feeling in the winter time. But health is more important. What is your opinion on carpet for bedroom regarding health issues?
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thinkdesignlive
4 years ago
Have you looked into Marmoleum? Very green product used for years. Warm underfoot and better than carpet (dust catcher). Porcelain in the bath is best overall and a coil heated system would make it toasty underfoot.
thinkdesignlive
4 years ago
https://www.houzz.com/products/forbo-marmoleum-click-cinch-loc-trace-of-nature-set-of-7-12x36-panels-prvw-vr~90155123
SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
IF health were the only goal (and budget a second thought) then I would look at cork flooring. Like marmoleum, it has some of the best VOC content this side of nature (super low). A glue down cork tile can be used in the bathroom for warmth.

Cork is a natural carpet-replacement product. It does all the things carpet does...but without the dust collection. Please be aware that a glue down cork floor can be expensive (about the same price for material+install as a porcelain tile). So long as you use the click together flooring in the bedroom (about the same price as high-end laminate flooring) you should be able to stick to your budget.
PRO
rh
Original Author
4 years ago
I will take a look at what you suggested. Thank you so much. I am grateful for all the suggestions. One more question: what about wood tile - tile that looks like wood? I haven't done any research on that yet but would like your thoughts. Thanks.
PRO
NovoCore Premium
4 years ago
You may completely transform your main floor by using Novocore! Novocore is an engineered vinyl floor, consisting of a beautiful but tough top layer of luxury vinyl adhered to a stable, rigid, and waterproof core. Novocore comes with a cork backing for added comfort and quiet walk around your house! NovoCore has super easy click system for an easy installation. No dust or mess when installing NovoCore: you can just use a utility knife.

You can enjoy Novocore benefits:
1. 100% Waterproof, so perfect for your kitchen
2. Friendly for kids and pets
3. Novocore floor can be easily cleaned with a mop and steammop!
4. Can be installed over extra-large areas up to 400sqm/4000sq ft. without extra moldings – which means cohesive floors across the whole house!
5. All Novocore products are Greenguard Gold certified! (link: http://bit.ly/2QzKpXL)
NovoCore comes with amazing colors that is not too brown or gray looking, perfect for any colors of your room! Have a look and see if it matches your preference: https://www.novocorefloor.com/english-manor/.

For more information, you can drop an email to contact@novocorefloor.com. Best of luck to your project!

PVC free flooring for master bedroom and bath

SJ McCarthy

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PVC free flooring for master bedroom and bath

SJ McCarthy

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rhOriginal Author

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