Hard surface flooring

Hard surface flooring is low maintenance, requires very little care other than regular sweeping and mopping, and does not need to be waxed or buffed. Vinyl flooring, a type of hard surface flooring, is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is a durable and low cost product, but its manufacturing process produces many toxins, which can persist in the environment and create health issues. The adhesives used to install the hard surface flooring can also pose environmental and health concerns, including the presence of asbestos and chemicals with high VOCs (volatile organic compound).

As an alternative to the more commonly used vinyl flooring, certain hard surface flooring, such as linoleum, rubber, and bio-based polyurethane, can be made from rapidly renewable, natural materials. To minimize other health and environmental impacts, many companies offer recycled content backing, recycled content, low- or no-VOCs adhesives, refurbishing programs that extend flooring life, and recovery programs that keep flooring out of the landfill. When selecting hard surface flooring, you can also follow the Healthy Flooring criteria, established by Health Care Without Harm.