Laminate Flooring and Its Impact on The Environment

Laminate flooring was developed in the early 80's. The product is built as separate component layers, then fused together under heat and pressure. Laminate flooring has evolved quickly in recent years, filling a need for a good looking, durable flooring that is functional, easy to install and has a good environmental story to tell.

So how does all this impact the environment?

Laminate flooring has the following attributes:

• Low VOC emission levels
• Utilizes a large percentage of renewable resource materials, primarily in core
• No heavy metal components
• Durable long lasting flooring
• Majority of laminate floors are installed glue-less
• Utilizes large amounts of wood and paper residue streams, providing upgraded use for normal waste streams
• Underlayment minimizes surface prep work required

The majority of laminate floorings are based on cellulose and thermosetting resins. The major component in laminate flooring is wood residue streams such as saw dust, panel trimmings etc, utilized primarily in the core layer. In addition, some paper and agricultural materials are also used.

The product consists of a backing layer, a core layer, a printed décor layer and a protective wear layer. The core is commonly referred to as a HDF or MDF (high or medium density fiber) board It is composed of wood fibers and resins, cured under heat and pressure. The surface and backing layers are a build-up of paper and resins, merged together under heat and pressure. The decorative layer is typically a paper printed with pigments that provide a stable and color fast visual. The resin system, which is water based, along with the pigments utilized in the production of laminate flooring, typically does not require solvents nor heavy metal components.

Laminate floors are normally given one of the best classifications for low emission levels attributed to volatile organic components (VOC), including formaldehyde. Many manufacturers of laminate flooring participate in some form of environmental labeling or credits (e.g. USGBC LEED, FloorScore, GreenGuard, CHPS 1350, Blue Angel, Nordic Ecolabel, etc.). Although Indoor Air Quality is only one part of environmental consideration, laminate flooring does well in this regard.

The high fiber content, in combination with the chemically stable cured resins, make laminate flooring well adapted for recycling, which is the preferred option. Laminate flooring, similar in characteristics to construction waste, can be land-filled or utilized for waste-to-energy applications, as appropriate.

In summary, laminate flooring has several things going for it from an environmental standpoint:

• Raw materials (designed to minimize virgin resource streams)
• Underlayment minimizes under-floor preparation required
• Glue-less installation
• Easy disassembly
• Low product emissions
• Low maintenance
• Good durability, etc.

As the laminate product category continues to evolve, environmental considerations will surely continue to play a part in the next generation of products developed.