Flooring certifications provide crucial quality assurance and environmental standards for manufacturers, installers, and consumers.
These certifications ensure materials meet specific performance, safety, and sustainability requirements that protect both people and the environment.
Understanding different flooring certifications helps make informed decisions when selecting materials for your space.
Common Flooring Material Certifications
- FloorScore®: Tests and certifies hard surface flooring for indoor air quality
- GREENGUARD: Verifies low chemical emissions from flooring products
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Ensures wood products come from responsibly managed forests
- CARB Phase 2: Regulates formaldehyde emissions in composite wood products
- Cradle to Cradle: Evaluates environmental and social performance across multiple categories
Professional Installation Certifications
- CFI (Certified Flooring Installers): Professional certification for installation expertise
- NWFA (National Wood Flooring Association): Certification for hardwood flooring professionals
- INSTALL: Comprehensive training and certification program for floor covering installers
- NALFA (North American Laminate Flooring Association): Certification for laminate flooring installers
Environmental and Sustainability Certifications
- LEED: Points system for green building practices
- Green Label Plus: Carpet and adhesive testing program for indoor air quality
- EPD (Environmental Product Declaration): Documents environmental impact throughout product lifecycle
- NSF/ANSI 140: Sustainability assessment for carpet
Finding Certified Products and Installers
Check manufacturer websites for certification logos and documentation to verify product certifications.
Use industry association websites to locate certified installers in your area:
- CFI Directory: cfiinstallers.org
- NWFA Directory: nwfa.org
- INSTALL Contractors: installfloors.org
Maintaining Certified Standards
Follow manufacturer maintenance guidelines to preserve certification benefits.
Use cleaning products specifically recommended for your certified flooring type.
Keep documentation of certifications for warranty purposes and future reference.
Making an Informed Choice
Consider which certifications align with your specific needs (health concerns, environmental impact, installation quality).
Request certification documentation from suppliers before making purchasing decisions.
Balance certification requirements with budget constraints while prioritizing essential standards for your situation.
Installation Best Practices
Always verify installer credentials before beginning any flooring project.
Request detailed documentation of certification compliance throughout installation process.
Schedule regular inspections during installation to ensure certified standards are maintained.
Cost Considerations
Certified products may command premium prices but often deliver long-term value.
Compare warranty coverage between certified and non-certified alternatives.
Factor in potential health and environmental benefits when calculating total cost of ownership.
Additional Cost Factors
- Installation by certified professionals
- Specialized maintenance products
- Regular inspections and documentation
- Potential insurance benefits
Future-Proofing Your Investment
Stay informed about evolving certification standards in the flooring industry.
Keep records of all certification documentation for potential property value enhancement.
Monitor updates from certification bodies for changes that might affect your flooring choices.
Maximizing Long-Term Value Through Certification
Prioritize certifications that align with both current needs and future property requirements.
Maintain detailed records of all certified installations and maintenance procedures.
Build relationships with certified professionals for ongoing maintenance and support.
FAQs
- What is FloorScore certification and why is it important?
FloorScore is a certification program that tests and certifies hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments for compliance with indoor air quality emission requirements. It ensures products have low VOC emissions, making them safer for indoor environments. - What does FSC certification mean for flooring products?
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that wood flooring products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. It tracks the material from forest to consumer. - What is CARB compliance in flooring?
CARB (California Air Resources Board) compliance certifies that composite wood flooring products meet strict formaldehyde emission standards. Phase 2 of CARB is the current standard, limiting formaldehyde emissions to protect indoor air quality. - How does Greenguard certification differ from FloorScore?
Greenguard certification focuses on comprehensive chemical emissions testing for various building materials, while FloorScore specifically targets flooring products. Greenguard Gold has even stricter standards suitable for sensitive environments like schools and healthcare facilities. - What is LEED certification’s relationship to flooring?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) isn’t a flooring-specific certification but awards points for using sustainable flooring materials. Certified flooring can contribute to LEED points in categories like materials, resources, and indoor environmental quality. - What does CE marking indicate on flooring products?
CE marking on flooring products indicates compliance with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards. It’s mandatory for products sold in the European Economic Area and confirms the product meets EU safety requirements. - What is the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus certification?
CRI Green Label Plus is a voluntary certification program that identifies carpet, cushions, and adhesives that meet strict criteria for low VOC emissions. It’s one of the most stringent standards for carpet products. - What is Blue Angel certification for flooring?
Blue Angel is a German certification that indicates flooring products meet strict environmental standards, including low emissions, sustainable production methods, and the absence of harmful substances. It’s one of the oldest eco-labels worldwide. - How does the NALFA certification apply to laminate flooring?
North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) certification involves testing laminate flooring for wear resistance, impact resistance, light resistance, and overall quality through independent laboratories. - What is Indoor Air Comfort certification?
Indoor Air Comfort certification, developed by Eurofins, evaluates flooring products against various international VOC emission requirements. The Gold level meets the criteria of all major European regulations and voluntary labels.
