My Chemical-Free House

A Guide to Creating a Healthy Home

Choosing a Non-Toxic Engineered Wood Floor

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The most common type of engineered wood is a flooring with a real wood layer on top and an engineered wood layer as the base.

There are three types of construction and two main finishes to consider when choosing this type of non-toxic engineered wood floor.

When looking for a zero-VOC, healthy engineered wood floor, the most important part is the construction type. The lowest VOC types are those with a plywood base or solid slate base. The lowest offgasing finishes are the UV cured water-based finishes.

Certifications like GreenGuard Gold don’t matter to me here because the highest offgassing engineered wood can meet this level. The lowest offgassing options are zero-VOC.

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Three Types of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

1. Plywood Construction

This is one of the constructions types you should look for, as these floors can meet zero-VOC.

The most common type of engineered hardwood floor has a plywood base.

The core is made of plywood and a top layer of real wood is glued on. The real wood top layer can range in thickness from 1mm up to 6mm.

two engineered wood flooring samples with a plywood base
These are two different brands with a plywood base

The plywood which is made with phenol-formaldehyde adhesive usually, is done offgassing by the time makes it way to the flooring company and then to you.

Though look out for brands that use a plywood with MDF (medium density fiberboard) in some of the layers as this offgasses more formaldehyde.

In general this type of engineered wood flooring is safe for almost everyone including most people with chemical sensitivities.

Some who are extremely sensitive may notice that this type of flooring can have a little bit higher odor than say a solid hardwood floor.

This is partly due to the odor of the pine/spruce/fir used to make the plywood, but it’s possible there are some slight remnants of the glues that those who are extremely sensitive can pick up. (Either the glue of the plywood or the glue used to attach the top layer of wood). Especially if the batch you get is very fresh.

While the vast majority of brands have a pine/spruce/fir plywood core, Cali Bamboo Meritage line uses layers of acacia and eucalyptus woods as the core for the ply. I do think this has a milder odor than spruce/pine/fir myself. I would encourage you to get samples of both types if you are sensitive to the natural odorants of wood.

This is usually the type to choose for those wanting a non-toxic hardwood floor and for most people with sensitivities. Those who are extremely sensitive might want to look at the second construction type which has less glue.

The brands can claim zero-VOC on this type of construction.

Example Brands:

This video shows the different types of engineered wood, and compares them to the other wood look options:

2. SPF Quarter Sawn Construction

Another great option for those sensitive to glues/VOCs, this option is slightly preferable to the plywood base.

A far less common construction type has a core of quarter-sawn spruce, pine and/or fir (SPF) softwood wood species.

The wood is cut and laid in “pickets” (i.e. it’s strips of solid wood) which run perpendicular to the solid hardwood top layer.

quarter sawn or solid slat base construction on engineered wood flooring sample
This is quarter sawn construction

While the hardwood top layer is still of course glued on, and there might be a stabilizing layer below the quarter sawn layer, there are no glues within the main core layer.

This core can also be called “solid cross slat core” or “Lumber Core” at LL Flooring. Technically this is also a ply of three layers but it’s distinct from the usual plywoods which have thinner layers (and usually more layers).

For those extremely sensitive to the natural odorants of wood or the glues used in plywood, you might prefer this type.

For most people, it’s not necessary to track this type down and I would choose plywood construction in most cases (for availability and price and because it’s zero-VOC as well). But for those wanting to go the extra mile, this is definitely one to get a sample of.

These brands should not have any offgassing and this type of construction should be formaldehyde-free (or more accurately no added formaldehyde in any of the components, since wood naturally contains some formaldehyde).

Tesoro uses pine in the middle solid layer, and a thin layer of ash as the stabilizing layer below.

Example Brands:

  • Tesoro Coastal Lowlands – White Oak, Hickory, Maple, Walnut $9.31 / sq ft
  • Tesoro Great Southern Woods starting at around $7 / sq ft
  • Tesoro Great Northern Woods starting at around $7 / sq ft
  • LL Flooring – Lumber core types
  • Mirage Hardwood Trubalance $6 – $8.50 / sq ft for most species

3. HDF Core Construction

The last type of engineered wood flooring has the same top level of real hardwood but in this case, it’s glued to an HDF (high density fiberboard) core. (Or sometimes MDF, medium density fiberboard core, which is very similar).

Sensitive folks may not be able to use most brands of this type of engineered wood flooring because of the formaldehyde binder in HDF/MDF.

HDF core construction in an engineered floor sample
Engineered wood floor with an HDF core

HDF is wood fiber that is glued and pressed together with formaldehyde. It’s more commonly seen as the core of laminate flooring.

My post on laminate flooring goes much more into detail on the chemicals and offgassing of HDF. It’s possible that some floors are made with MDF which is very similar.

The main adhesive used here is formaldehyde – the odor is very noticeable to me, though it should be able to reach Greenguard Gold levels.

For this reason, this type is my least favorite type of engineered wood flooring and I don’t see any good reason to choose an engineered flooring that has some offgassing when we have better lower VOC options.

However, there is one brand that uses a HDF core that is not made with formaldehyde resins (no added formaldehyde. This is the Pergo engineered wood floors like Pergo Defense + Engineered Hardwood.

The difference between laminate floors and engineered wood with an HDF core is that laminate does not have a top layer of real solid hardwood, just a printed image, and a melamine protective coating.

You can see the difference between the two in this picture:

Close up of laminate versus engineered wood with an HDF core
Laminate flooring on the left — Engineered wood flooring with an HDF core on the right

Example Brands:

  • Mirage Lock HDF floors from Mirage Hardwood
  • Shaw has some lines with an HDF core
  • LL Flooring, some lines
  • Some Home Depot Malibu Planks have an HDF core
  • Tesoro Longevity Collection
  • Valinge Engineered wood (advertised as 100% real wood, when it has a HDF (or MDF) core. Also advertised as formaldehyde-free though the HDF core is made with lots of glue.)

Two Types of Finishes on Engineered Wood Flooring

1. UV-Cured Polyurethane

UV cured polyurethane finish on 5 engineered wood floor samples
UV-cured polyurethane finishes on engineered wood

The vast majority of engineered hardwood floors have a water-based UV-cured polyurethane finish with aluminum oxide. This finish has no offgassing.

Sometimes it’s simply listed as “aluminum oxide” or just as “UV cured finish”.

Example Brands:

Almost every brand, far too many to list!

Polyurethane without Aluminum Oxide

A similar finish is a water-based polyurethane (or polyurethane/acrylic mix) without aluminum oxide. These are not as durable as an aluminum oxide finished floor but they can be more natural-looking.

The aluminum oxide is not a health concern when in solid form embedded in the floor’s finishes. This finish is so durable it won’t usually show wear for decades. Though I do consider this a risk when (or rather if) the floors are re-sanded.

Example Brand:

  • Kahrs Water-Based Finish Engineered Floors

2. Oil Based Finish

close up of two Kahrs wood samples to see the oil based finish look
Oil based finishes on Kahrs Engineered Wood

Oil-based finishes usually have some offgassing of VOCs, and you have to make sure you are OK with the maintenance oils.

A few brands have an oil-based finish on the wood. They often don’t say which brand of oil-based finish they have used.

A few do say that it is WOCA, I have seen some list the finish as UV cured oil-based – which isn’t a specific brand, but the UV curing does speed up offgassing.

Kahrs and a few other brands list their oil finish as natural and/or zero-VOC.

I definitely can pick up the odor off of Kahrs oil-finished floors whereas I cannot pick up any odor off of polyurethane finishes.

Though keep in mind with the natural oil you do also smell more of the natural wood odor coming through (along with the oil itself), since the aluminum oxide blocks some of the wood odor. The Kahrs oil-finished planks have a very natural look and feel to them whereas Cali Bamboo Odyssey oil finish looked and felt like a UV cured polyurethane with aluminum oxide. They say it needs an oil refresher as well.

This is also another way to avoid aluminum oxide, if you wish to avoid that.

Kahrs maintenance oil which looks to be all paraffin (kerosene), may not be tolerated though, so you do need to test out all of the maintenance products.

Rubio Monocoat maintenance oil is linseed based so it should be used over linseed oil finishes or to transition to linseed oil.

Example Brands:

Note! You can also find unfinished engineered wood flooring.

Other Additives to Consider in Engineered Flooring – Antimicrobials

Titanium Dioxide

At least one brand, Lauzon, uses titanium dioxide as opposed to aluminum oxide in the topcoat finish.

The idea here is that the titanium dioxide reacts with UV light and a PCO process occurs, which creates OH molecules that can break down germs, VOCs, mold ect.

Sometimes this topcoat is labeled as air cleaning and sometimes as an antimicrobial finish.

Other

Possible antimicrobial additives in engineered wood floor coatings:

  • Titanium dioxide (nano) (Nano-TiO2)
  • Silver nanoparticle-loaded hydroxyl zirconium sodium phosphate (Ag-HZDP)
  • Silver nanoparticle-loaded zeolite (Ag-Z)
  • Far infrared ceramic nanoparticles (FICN)
  • Zinc oxide nanoparticles (Nano-ZnO)

source

Companies using unspecified antimicrobial agents in the floor finish include:

  • Mirage
  • Breezewood floors
  • Goodfellow
  • Many more, I will add to the list when I come across them

Other Types of Engineered Wood Floor to Consider

1. Hybrid Flooring

close up of hybrid floor with a final core and wood top
Tesoro Lakewood Hybrid – Waterproof Wood

A hybrid flooring is a relatively new type of click-together wood flooring.

Like all engineered wood, it does have a real hardwood layer on top. In this case, it’s quite thin.

The core of the boards are not wood-based – they are a SPC – stone/PVC composite. This is the same SPC core that you find in luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors.

I like this type of flooring if you want something waterproof, you want to cut down on plasticizers used in luxury vinyl by having a real wood top layer, and/or you want to cut down on the amount of wood in the floor.

Since plasticizers are semi-VOCs, they generally are not being released in gas form, but rather by leaching. Therefore, by having a physical layer of wood on top of the vinyl layer it could act like a block to the leaching.

(Here is a quick visual post showing how to identify engineered wood, versus laminates, vinyl, and hybrid planks).

Brands include:

  • LL Flooring AquaSeal Bamboo, Oak (real wood top with SPC core) $3.99 / sq ft
  • Geowood by Cali Bamboo – Starting at $5.79 / sq ft
  • Tesoro Lakewood Composite – Starting at $7.60 / sq ft
  • Shaw Floorté Waterproof Hardwood – around $9.59 / sq ft
  • Opti-Wood from Home Depot – $3.39 – 4.09 / sq ft
  • Raintree – $5.50 – 6.50 / sq ft
  • AquaGuard from Floor&Decor – $4.69 / sq ft
  • LifeProof from Home Depot (bamboo with SPC core) $4.15 / sq ft
  • Acqua from Home Depot (bamboo with SPC core) $3.79 / sq ft
  • Home Legend (bamboo with SPC core)
  • Wellmade (bamboo with SPC core)

2. Engineered Bamboo Flooring

two bamboo flooring samples, left is bamboo on top of plywood base, right is solid strand bamboo
Engineered Bamboo on the Left, Solid Strand Bamboo on the Right (Tesoro Brand)

Solid bamboo or solid strand bamboo flooring is a type of engineered wood. Though bamboo is technically a grass, it’s similar enough to wood flooring.

A solid strand bamboo floor has various strands of bamboo glued together (pictured right). Sometimes it seems like it is a regular wood glue odor (similar to Titebond) and other times it seems like a different type of glue, maybe polyurethane.

Engineered bamboo (pictured left) is a flooring that has a top layer of bamboo over a SPC, plywood or HDF/MDF core. I would avoid HDF/MDF cores if you want to go for the lowest offgasing options out there.

The topcoat is a UV cured polyurethane or UV cured acrylic urethane.

Brands:

  • LL Flooring AquaSeal Bamboo (bamboo with SPC core)
  • Floor and Decor AquaGuard Bamboo (bamboo with SPC core)
  • LifeProof from Home Depot (bamboo with SPC core)
  • Acqua from Home Depot (bamboo with SPC core)
  • Home Depot’s OptiWood Bamboo (bamboo with SPC core)
  • Home Legend (bamboo with SPC core)
  • Wellmade (bamboo with SPC core)
  • Home Legend has bamboo with a SPC core, HDF core, or solid strand
  • Home Decorators Collection solid bamboo flooring
  • Floor and Decor EcoForest solid strand bamboo
  • Ecofusion solid strand
  • Tesoro solid bamboo
  • Tesoro engineered bamboo

3. Eucalyptus Flooring

solids strand eucalyptus flooring

Cali Bamboo Eucalyptus is strands of eucalyptus pressed together with a lot of pressure and heat in a wavy pattern. I pick up the regular wood glue smell but nothing that is different from all other engineered wood.

Tesoro also makes a solid strand eucalyptus floor.

A similar product is Tesoro densified poplar wood flooring.

4. Engineered Hemp Flooring

hemp flooring with help top layer and plywoods base
HempWood

HempWood is a new type of flooring that uses hemp strands pressed and glued together as the top layer of the engineered floor. The base layer is the typical plywood construction.

The hemp layer is pressed together with a soy glue adhesive, similar to the soy adhesive used in PureBond plywood. It did have some glue odor to me which was very similar to Purebond (very mild, most people do OK with soy glue).

They claim that there are no added VOCs and no added formaldehyde.

One sample came finished with what looked like the typical water-based UV cured polyurethane (or polyacrylic) coating and the second sample was unfinished.

The way it was fraying at the edges made me wary about it’s durability.

Installation of Engineered Wood

There are four main ways to install engineered wood.

  1. Floating Floor – in this method the planks are clicked together and installed over an underlayment but not glued or nailed down. Tongue and groove glue is ofen used on the edges (Roberts is zero-VOC). This installation is good in that it is low toxicity, but the downside is that you usually can’t re-sand your floors.
  2. Nail Down – in a nail down installation an underlayment is used and the floor is not glued down. This is my preferred installation method over wood subfloors.
  3. Glue Assist – this installation involves gluing down and nailing the floor. This is often used for wide planks and/or when there are big fluctuations in humidity. If you want to avoid glue, don’t go for wide planks. Glues can be silane modified polyether or polyurethane. Silane modified is lower toxicity, but be sure to check the warranty for the floor.
  4. Glue Down – in this method, the glue is installed evenly on the floor. Many of the glues are polyuerethane. Some are 0-VOC like Bostik Greenforce. This method is often used over concrete. I would not use this method on concrete personally, since concrete is always trying to dry inward.
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Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 8 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lisa says

    HI. I have neuropathy in my feet so Tile is NOT an option for our flooring in the basement or laundry room in the basement. It is too hard and too cold and I tried but I just cannot do it. I live in the Midwest with long cold and wet winters. Can you please tell me what non toxic flooring works in the basement? I would love to have a wood floor look but also due to health issues, need a non toxic floor. I also am visually impaired so reading all the comments and your articles is hard for me so I would appreciate any help you have to help me with this. I have tried but after hours of scrolling your articles and comments I find such contradicting information and I am more confused/. I am sure it is my chemo brain. Thanks Lisa

    Reply

  2. Cindy says

    Hi Corrine,
    We are getting ready to install over 1800 square feet of engineered hardwood in a renovation project. I am currently on a detox program for trying to rid my body of black mold (previous exposure not due to current home). I have never heard this concern before about mold growing underneath hardwood flooring that is glued down on top of concrete subfloor. Yikes!! Please help.

    Regarding the glue down method you stated “I would not use this method on concrete personally, since concrete is always trying to dry inward.” What is the best way to install this engineered flooring then to avoid any potential of mold growing underneath. We live in MI on a lake, so certain times of the year can be quite humid but it isn’t a year round problem.

    In addition, a few of these areas where engineered wood was going to be glued down, it will be sitting on top of radiant heat flooring.

    Now I am feeling so confused and wondering if we should not be putting this product down! Should we be going with a stone floor instead??

    Any advice is greatly welcomed. Thank you!!

    Cindy

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      it’s a debatable topic. if your slab is truly dry them Cheryl Ciecko recommends the best bet is to go with a painted on vapor barrier instead of a plastic sheet since a plastic sheet can leave a space for mold to grow if it’s getting wet.

      Reply

      • Cindy says

        Thank you Corinne for responding! I I will investigate what this painted on vapor barrier is. I have never heard of this.

        Reply

  3. Bridgett Novak says

    Could you please clarify your best suggestion for securing a hardwood, engineered wood or bamboo floor to a concrete subfloor? I would love to not use glue (since I’m concerned about the smell and toxicity)…but it seems it is at least partially necessary. Floating is apparently not as good…since the planks can move/fluctuate. Do you agree? THANK YOU!

    Reply

  4. Jennifer says

    Hi Corrine,
    This post is super helpful in explaining all of the different Engineered Wood options. We’ve zeroed in on purchasing the Pergo Defense Plus Engineered Hardwood. It has an HDF core but the company told me that it has no added formaldehyde. Are there any other concerns I can ask the company about? Thanks!

    Reply

  5. Emily says

    Hi Corinne,
    Just pulled the trigger on an engineered option thanks to your post – so helpful! It’s a plywood core with UV cured urethane topcoat. We are gluing down with Bostik greenforce. I’m still a little leery about the formaldehyde – it has all the standard certifications which I understand don’t pull too much weight. It’s not a big brand (Nuvelle) and the boxes say it was manufactured 3/2022, so more than a year ago. Is it safe to assume it’s already offgassed or is cured? I started panicking as I discovered NAF (no added formaldehyde) and ULEF (ultra low emitting formaldehyde) after the fact.

    Any hesitations about lesser known brands?

    Thank you!

    Reply

  6. Scott says

    Hi Corinne,

    Do you happen to know if UV cured urethane coatings might contain any PFAS? I assume it might depend on the manufacturer but I can’t find anything online. I’ve already ordered an engineered flooring with a plywood core and finished with a UV cured urethane… but concerned now as I did not think to ask about potential PFAS in the top layer. Appreciate your input!

    Reply

  7. Michelle says

    Hi Corinne, What a great post! If I’m buying a home with vinyl plank flooring in the whole house from 5 years ago would you say it’s ok since it would have off-gassed? I have young kids and my mom says let them mess it up before you switch. But I’m concerned with toxins and I’m sure they’ve been exposed since we’ve in renting. I do prefer the look to engineered wood floors partially white oak. Thanks! Appreciate it!

    Reply

  9. Anna Huang says

    Hi, Corinne, Thank you for all of your information, it helps me a lot for my remodeling project.
    I have a question about Kahrs wood floor.
    In your article, you said “I definitely can pick up the odor off of Kahrs oil-finished floors whereas I cannot pick up any odor off of polyurethane finishes.”
    Can you tell me which Kahrs floors are Oil Finished?
    Are Kahrs Tres 3 Strip oil finished?
    Thank you very much.
    Anna

    Reply

  10. Mya says

    Hello! Thank you so much for all this information. It has been super helpful as we are starting a remodeling project in our home. We want to do the engineered hardwood, and wanted to float it until we realized you can’t re-sand then, We live in Florida and have terrazzo floors. I’ve been told we can’t nail down wood in terrazzo, which leaves glue. Does terrazzo have the same moisture/mold issues as concrete when a floor is glued down? Thank you so much!

    Reply

  11. Rhonda knapp says

    Hi Corine. I’m so confused. we have a concrete floor in Florida. just found out about mold spores. need to clean hvac system after replacing bedroom carpets decided against carpets because I’m sick with allergies now. my journey through engineered floors confused me more. my uestion please us what’s the least chemical producing of a good choice carpet and a good engineered floor I’m feeling disheartened and some reL clear and cleaner choices would be so appreciated

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      There’s another post on the best carpets and this post has what to look for with engineered wood floors with some brand examples.

      Reply

  12. Kate says

    Thank you so much for the information! We just moved I to a house with engineered hard wood in the living areas ( which is now discontinued)and are trying to replace carpet in bedrooms, especially my baby’s nursery. It would be over a concrete slab in a humid climate. Is real solid wood the only option to avoid mold growth, as we’d need the moisture barrier over a concrete slab correct? Or is here a way to use engineered hard wood over a slab in a humid climate in a nursery that is safe and not conducive to mold growth?

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      It really depends on the slab and if it’s taking on water and trying to dry to the inside. Breathable floors are best if it is taking on water, so tiles, polished concrete, some carpet, sometimes marmoluem, maybe a “sleeper system” that doesn’t use poly on the slab.

      Reply

        • Kate says

          Thank you, Corrine! And just wondering if leaving existing carpet that is in good shape but probably 5-10 years old would be less toxic than pulling it up for our sons nursery? Does carpet usually off-gas by then or does time not matter too much, even if we would vacuum every day? Thank you so much for helping our family!

          Reply

          • Corinne says

            its definitely off gassed but it could contain flame retardants, phthalates or low levels of metals like lead and antimony. Unfortunately it likely contains at least one of those three.

  13. Donna says

    This has been so helpful, thankyou!
    Have you heard of the engineered hardwood brand Trillium, sold at Costco in Canada? Do you think it’s a good one? They say something about waxes in their question and answers. I’m one of those extremely sensitive people.

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      Probably a paraffin wax on the sides, like they do with laminate flooring. But be careful to look at what kind of core it has. Follow the guidelines in this post.

      Reply

  14. Evan says

    Thank you, without this information I would never have made up my mind. Already ordered flooring in the living room, and I will have to install the floors in the bathrooms and kitchens.

    Reply

  15. Anacleta says

    Hi Corine, thanks for sharing so much knowledge. We’ve decided to get engineered wood in a remodeled area our home but need unfinished oak to stain and match the rest of the house. I have not been able to find any Greenguard Gold certified unfinished engineered wood, and I’ve very close to purchasing it from Floor & Decor, Do you know of any sellers of unfinished engineered wood which you recommend? And do you have any advice on Foor & Decor? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Cheryl says

      Hi Anacleta! I’m looking for the exact same thing – for the same reason. I also found the unfinished red oak engineered wood – 4 inch – at Floor & Decor. I’m considering purchasing it. What did you end up buying?

      Reply

  16. Britta Lee says

    Thank you! this is all so helpful. I know you mention that the sample you are holding in the beginning is easy to find but I would love to know exactly what it is ( it maybe says white mist on the back?) It is precisely what I am looking for. Hope you could possibly let me know – I am having a hard time finding the just right look with the plywood core on my own. thanks for the super helpful sight! it is going to be my go to as we figure our way through this home remodeling process.

    Reply

  17. Laramie says

    Kahrs has a newer line called Kahrs Life. It says it has a real wood top and is cured with a UV-cured acrylic matte lacquer. Are you familiar with this and is it safe?

    Reply

  18. Linda M Stone says

    Hello and thank you for such wonderful information. Unfortunately, my head is swimming…I have brain damage from chemotherapy so don’t trust that can follow all of your information properly. I have a small bedroom in my house for my medium size parrots. I need to replace the ancient flat-weave carpet. Birds with their tiny lungs are very sensitive to fumes of all sorts. Am wondering whether you’ve ever had anyone ask for a flooring recommendation for this application. I would be very grateful for your reply and suggestions.

    Reply

  19. Lee Gee says

    Is there a reason there is no mention of Kahrs engineered wood line that is not oil finished? They are allegedly one of the best floors for low/no VOCs, so I’m wondering what I’m missing? I’m about to order some and really hope to find out if there is something NOT ok with them! I am very sensitive and don’t want to waste my money and be upset. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      I mention the water-based finish as well. In terms of being the best they are the same as other brands that use plywood construction.

      Reply

  20. Mia Evans says

    It’s great to know that there are other types of shoes to ensure that they are non-toxic when it comes to hardwood floors for people with sensitivities. I will share this information with my mother so she will have an idea if engineered oak flooring would be a good option for her. She has no sensitivities in the past with various materials but it would be better if she get herself checked with a professional and ask contractors as well, because there might be changes in her body now that she is in her senior years.

    Reply

  21. Madeline Rageas says

    Thank you for all your information. I’m looking for something for my basement which is humid. My thought is that this wood flooring may not be good for basements. What are your thoughts?

    thank you, Madeline

    Reply

    • Frieda says

      Wood is not good below ground level. Neither are any of the stick on type products because the adhesive doesn’t hold up well in a humid area. Traditional tiling (with mastic) or the newer floating rubber floor tiles are choices that will last in a below ground level basement, can be installed right over concrete, and both are waterproof. The rubber floating tiles have come a long way with looks and textures, and a few well placed area rugs can really make the room pop. Rubber is also warmer on the feet than vinyl and doesn’t pollute your air with VOCs. Rubber does smell for a bit but that disappears, and fairly fast if you’re in a position to air the basement often after install. The rubber tiles are an easy DIY project which saves loads of money.

      Reply

      • Corinne says

        Rubber is the highest offgassing flooring, it’s the only product I would definitely never install for myself. There is more info on the gym flooring post.

        Reply

  22. Nadia says

    Hello, Thanks for the great information, It is a lot to take in. Is there one that is a clear winner in this category for bedrooms?

    Also, I am a bit confused as to why this type of floor is rated “less toxic” than the amorim cork floor. I am looking into optiwood, which contains plasticizers. Don’t those off-gas?

    Thanks so much!

    Reply

  23. Mariane says

    Hi Corinne,

    Curious if you have thoughts on the best non toxic option for baby room. We really wanted the earth weave carpet but it’s comepltley out of budget for us.. We afe removing the old traffickmater carpet and considering engineered wood or lvp. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for all you do

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      I would do engineered wood over LVP because of all the unknowns on the plasticizers which will likely affect developing people more than mature adults.

      Reply

      • Kate says

        Thank you so much for the information! We are trying to replace carpet in our baby’s nursery in a house we just moved into in a very humid climate. The main living areas have engineered wood that is discontinued. It would be on a concrete slab. Is the only option real hardwood to avoid possible mold in the moisture barrier that would be needed for engineered wood applied on a slab? Thank you so much for your time and help! Kate

        Reply

    • Frieda says

      For a baby’s room, especially, use either real tongue and groove hardwood which is much cheaper than engineered hardwood (because you pay for convenience with click systems). It takes a little bit more work to install but it is 100% free of toxins when you’re nailing it down. The other option is LInoleum which is 100% natural and environmentally friendly. Unfortunately it is generally sold in sheet form only so if your room is complicated (not a square or rectangle but lots of cuts needed) it isn’t a simple DIY project. Forbo puts out their brand name Marmoleum Click Tile system, unfortunately they use High Density Fiberboard (HDF) as a layer above the cork underlay layer, and there is some concern over off gassing with HDF itself. For a babies room I’d avoid the risk. Current research shows that infants raised in homes with Vinyl and HDF related flooring and trim products are much more likely to develop respiratory issues than children raised in homes using pure wood and/or linoleum flooring. Food for thought.

      Reply

  24. Robin says

    I was veering away from engineered hardwood click in flooring. Why? It was said to me:
    1) the wood laminate life will not be as long lived as the LVP due to how thin it is
    2) the visual durability of LVP is better than hardwood, the hardwood shows more ‘dings’ over time; that LVP is much more forgiving

    Based upon your comments, and my being a ‘super sensitive’ regarding off gassing, your blog is bringing me back around to consider engineered hardwood flooring.

    Many, many thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts.

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      Some engineered wood has a very thick top layer. The top layer can be all the way to the tongue which makes it as long lasting as solid wood in all practicality. For more durable engineered wood get one with a high janka rating wood as the top layer.

      Reply

  25. Peter says

    Ηi Corrine
    I’m in Canada more specific in the province of Quebec
    Have you come across any engineered wood flooring or bamboo engineered brand that is non toxic
    Not much available online as far as a guide
    Thank you
    Peter

    Reply

    • Peter says

      I also came across bamboo engineered and their geo wood flooring at a local company in Montreal, Quebec Canada Geowood and the Opti-Wood is also available at Home Depot Canada. I just want to make a healthy non toxic choice for my two babies that have sensitivities. You are a great resource and thank you for your help from Canada

      Reply

    • Corinne says

      Yep, this list of what to look for will apply to brands in Canada and many of these brands on the list are also available in Canada.

      Reply

  26. Cherie T says

    Your posts are SO helpful! Is it safe then if they have the titanium dioxide then instead of the aluminum dioxide as an antimicrobial? Is the titanium toxic? You list it out in this post but I don’t see your view on its toxicity level..

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      Titanium dioxide has a better safety profile than alumminu. But the aluminum makes it very very tough. It will be a decade before it wears down.

      Reply

  27. Ruth says

    Hello Corinne, I have Kahrs engineered floors installed a couple of weeks ago. I chose Kahrs because according to their ads, their floors are non toxic. The wood floors were installed throughout the house except in the kitchen. I can.not stay in my house fior a long period of time because I have difficulty breathing, I get a headache, nausea and stomach upset. I know I wasted money by installing a new engineered floors. Are there any non toxic sealant I can use to seal the wood floors? – thank you in advance for your reply. – Ruth

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      It depends on if it’s water based finish or oil based Kahrs finish and how you want it to look after sealing. check out the posts on sealing in offgassing and sealing in the odors of wood.

      Reply

    • Lee Gee says

      Hi, can you please post what line of Kahrs you installed? I’m about to order some and your post is scaring me!

      Reply

    • Andrea says

      Hi. Can you let us know what type of Khans floor you installed. I also was about to order a Khans floor. I’m very chemically sensitive.

      Reply

  28. Allison Rachel says

    Hey Corrine,

    My husband and I recently came across a European engineered hardwood brand called Muller Graff: https://www.mullergraff.net .

    We like the price-point and they have many beautiful colors – though we have not found much online about the product safety online.

    Have you heard of this brand? Are the formaldehyde levels essentially non-existent / safe? Does it seem legit? Sounds too good to be true, Help!

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      there aren’t that many differences between brands, all brands can be compared to the things to look for outlined in this post.

      Reply

      • Allison says

        So you would not be skeptical of the brands’ ‘newness’? Credibility for truthful marketing/reputation built over time is comforting.

        Reply

  29. Mitchell Shankman says

    Hi Corrine! We have been looking at Mohawk Engineered Wood sold through Costco and it appears to have an HDF core. Mohawk’s website says that they use a Formaldehyde free composite called PureBond Engineered Wood Composite (Soy based).

    Does that make these products any safer?

    Their laminate seem to have the same HDF core with Purebond. Curious if either option seem like a safe choice to you.

    Let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

    Reply

  30. Maribel says

    Hi!
    Do you have a post or resource that has a recommendation for what underlayment to use under engineered wood over slab, so as not to support a mold environment if the climate is humid?

    Reply

  32. Lauren says

    Corinne, thank you so much for all of the in depth information you share! I’m curious is Shaws LVP is reliable across the board or just with the 2 samples you listed?. I know they’re made with virgin product and have had my contractor reach out to see if their plasticizers are bio based. Wondering if there’s anything I should Look out for? Thanks for your time

    Reply

  33. Grace says

    I am multiple chemical sensitive with heart surgery, brain injury, reynauds, venous insufficiency, can not take pharmaceuticals. Inflammation problem. I told flooring company no toxins. I was ignorant. Every thing they used was toxic. Padding old, ripped, brown, toxic glue. The carpet polyester. We couldn’t breathe. I’m 74. My husband 82 with rare biliary disease and transplant recipient 30 years ago. We have been very sick and sleeping outside bedroom. What brand of flooring and installation do you recommend over concrete in the low country of South Carolina.

    Reply

  34. Deb says

    I really think your guidance on this blog is helpful! Thank you so much.
    We had a kitchen flood on our main floor in sunny Southern California and now have to replace all main level flooring. The foundation here is a slab. We would be interested to use engineered hardwood however I think you pose some concerns about moisture when using this with a vapor barrier over a slab. Is there a work around? Would that be a big concern on a main floor in a sunny climate and/or are you just concerned about that in basements?
    Regarding other options, I am concerned about using tiles because of the tile cutting in our front yard/lead dust.
    In looking at other options, I can’t find concrete tiles for large areas, they all seem to be designer decorative for small areas.
    thanks in advance for any tips you can offer! Really love this site
    -Deb

    Reply

  36. Linda Cullen says

    Hi Corinne,

    Thanks again for your help. I have read your information on flooring. The flooring options in my new under construction production built house are very limited. Carpet, vinyl, or laminate. The brands are limited as well. I chose laminate. I don’t have the money to afford a custom built home and am too old to fix up an old home. My question regards checking for and, if possible, taking steps after construction to minimize the chance of mold under the cement slab and above the moisture barrier. Any advice is appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Linda

    Reply

  37. Vikram Malhotra says

    You say glue down should not be the installation over concrete? Would you then suggest floating floors for engineered hardwood? Wouldn’t that compromise the feel of walking on hardwood?

    Reply

  38. Karen says

    Wow! You seem to know so much about chemicals… My daughter is looking at colleges an wants to know what kind of degree you have?

    Reply

  39. Danny K says

    What do you think about Kahrs engineered wood? It seems that their stuff is quarter sawn, and they release their test results, which seems to be a good sign! But as far as the toxicity of their products, do you have an opinion? I have seen that Green Building Supply recommends Kahrs.

    Reply

  40. Carla Romano says

    Hi

    Thank you for your info. Our priority is a toxic free floor. We are looking at white oak engineered by Riva Max. What do you think of this? It says calm compliant and zero emissions but I don’t see anywhere where it says VOC free. Any help you;d be hugely appreciated

    Carla

    Reply

  41. Janet Cook says

    Thanks for your intelligence and wonderful work. I have three questions.

    1) Is there a place you discuss non-toxic (or less toxic) floor glue?
    2) Can you suggest some Engineered wood that can SOME waterproofing or pet protections?
    3) Place where I can send you a donation?

    Reply

  42. Gay says

    If the engineered flooring is Green Guard Gold certified do you need to worry about the finishes, stains, glues etc or anything else about it.? We are looking at redoing flooring in bedrooms and considering
    Kentwood does not use aluminum oxide but does 8 layers of Polyurethane finish. 35 year wear thru warranty.

    Reply

  43. Tamilyn says

    Love you information thank you….I have read the above numerous times and still can not understand if Cali Geowood is non toxic or not? I have a lung problem and sensitivies is the Geowood good or would Anorim Cork Wood line be better?

    Reply

    • Corinne says

      It’s up to you on what you consider toxic. Geowood contains plasticizers. Amorim cork is higher in offgassing than I would like but technically it is very low. You should test for your own sensitivities.

      Reply

  44. Julie Freeman says

    Do you have an opinion on Mannington Restoration laminate flooring line? Ok, good, bad?

    Reply

  45. Nolla says

    Ty, this is great info! So glad I found your site:) I have engineered hardwood and trying to find an eco cleaner cleaner beyond Bona – which is very popular. Do you know of any brand or diy to clean this type of flooring??

    Reply

  46. Jenna says

    Hey Corrine, could you tell me what the sample is pictured in the bottom middle under the 1. UV-Cured Polyurethane heading?

    Reply

  47. Sanya says

    Love it, Great info!!! Currently looking for new flooring and overwhelmed… in addition I need all kitchen and bathroom cabinets painted. Do you know of any non toxic low voc cabinets primers and paints please? Thanks a million!!!!!

    Reply

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