There are many different factors that influence the health, safety, and indoor air quality of interior environments. One considerable element every house owner should take note of is the flooring. Choosing the right flooring for your home can have a significant impact not just visually, but also in how healthy and safe it is to live in it.

If you’re on the fence about which type of flooring is healthiest to integrate into your house and are looking for a hardwood flooring company in Lexington, NC to help get the job done, then read on to learn more about which flooring offers a high-quality living experience.

What is the healthiest flooring to put in your house?

Consider installing natural solid hardwood, cork, polished concrete, natural linoleum, or bamboo flooring. The rule of three helps visually, but when choosing the type of flooring, it’s important to watch out for the following factors to ensure you’re fostering a healthy living environment:

• Low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Maintain healthy indoor air quality by avoiding glues, finishes, and adhesives with high VOC. Opt for sustainable, hard and smooth surfaces such as bamboo and hardwood, as these do not trap dust, mold, or allergens, but do make sure that adhesives for bamboo are low in VOC. Hardwood never goes out of style and can have low VOC finishes, but make sure it’s a water-based or oil floor finish.
• Moisture resistance: Consider picking flooring options such as ceramic or porcelain tiles and engineered hardwood, flooring that is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, as some areas such as bathrooms and basements tend to be prone to moisture. 
• Certifications: Make sure you’re getting flooring products approved and certified by the EPA, as well as products with certifications that account for sustainability and low chemical emissions.

How long does it take for laminate floors to off gas?

This depends on a number of different conditions, including product quality, room ventilation, installation method, temperature, and humidity.

Low-quality laminate usually takes up to 2-3 weeks to off-gas, while mid-range laminate could off-gas in about 1-2 weeks, and off-gassing for high-quality laminates is minimal and should take only a couple of days, possibly 24-48 hours. Higher-quality laminates tend to use better adhesives and generally don’t have many harmful chemicals in them, and you can make sure you’re getting a better quality product by looking for certifications and labels such as low VOC.

Speaking of VOCs, these compounds are more likely to clear away quicker in rooms that are properly ventilated. The off-gassing process can be sped up by opening windows and using fans. If possible, it’s best to open windows on opposite sides of the room to make it easier for the odors to clear away.

The installation method can also affect the duration of off-gassing, with floating installations providing better airflow than a glue-down method. Warmer temperatures and high humidity can prolong off-gassing, so it is suggested to have the air conditioner running if you’re installing laminate floors during the summer.

Which hardwood flooring company in Lexington, NC, can provide the safest installation?

Premier Hardwood Flooring has been providing high-quality hardwood floor installation for nearly 30 years in the city and surrounding areas. We have the expertise you need to provide you with the safest and healthiest floor setup while staying on track with emerging floor trends to help you have a comfortable and cozy living space.

Whether near the Uptown Lexington Historic District or another part of town, we specialize in all floor types with a focus on precision and care. Give us a call or send us a message through our simple online form to receive a free quote today!