Flooring

Marmoleum Modular tiles are made from natural materials. The product has a low carbon footprint, and is free from toxic materials such as phthalates. The modular tiles allow you to mix and match to design a unique floor surface.

Per Forbo's product-specific EPDs, these Marmoleum flooring system meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon. It contains 100% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program.

Kährs's 3-layer engineered hardwood flooring is made up of a surface layer, a core layer, and a backing. Surface treatments are free from solvents, formaldehyde and isocyanate. Engineered hardwood allows a floating installation on a level surface. This allows you to avoid potentially harmful adhesives and enables future disassembly and reuse.

The AWARE collection is bio-based, PVC-free, and can be sanded/refinished to allow for a longer lifespan.

*NOTE: This product is ULEF as opposed to NAF, meaning it contains ultra-low emitting formaldehyde. The products carry FloorScore emissions certification.

Per Kahrs's EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Kaswell laminates wood flooring in a linear fashion in order to make their Micro Edge Grain floor. This product is durable and long lasting, and is free of VOCs and formaldehyde.

Corques Liquid Lino offers a revolutionary way to use linoleum. An alternative to traditional rolls and tiles, this product from Duracryl International is sold as a liquid and poured onto a subfloor onsite. It sets overnight at ambient temperatures to create a seamless durable and natural looking resilient floor. Corques Liquid Lino is made from vegetable oil, cork, wood-flour, limestone, and natural color pigments. It is free of VOCs, PVC, plasticizers, formaldehyde, chlorine, and heavy metals. While the production of this product currently requires the use of isocyanates, the manufacturer avoids the more harmful toluene diisocyanate (TDI)

Per Duracryl's EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

mafi is an Austrian company that specializes in the production of three-layer wooden planks that can be used as flooring, walls, or ceilings. mafi floors are finished using natural oils. Instead of creating a seal-like more typical lacquers, the oil soaks into the wood and protects it from the inside out. Because it does not create a barrier, the oil finish on mafi’s wood floors allows the material to breathe and to help regulate the interior climate and improve indoor air quality. The natural oil finish is also free of toxic solvents. All of the wood used in mafi's flooring is grown in Austria, within 12km ( 8 miles ) of the factory.

Per Mafi's product-specific EPDs, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

HempWood is a hardwood alternative composed of hemp, soy flour, and binders (without isocyanates). As an engineered flooring product, the base is Columbia Forest purebond plywood. HempWood is harder than oak, and a durable wood option that promotes the carbon sequestering hemp-growing industry. All hemp for this product is grown locally in the U.S. and the entire supply chain is within a 100-mile radius of Murray, Kentucky. It contains 98% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program. Hempwood has a Janka hardness rating of 2,750.

HempWood products are available either with a factory finish or unfinished. Wax or oil are suggested healthier options for unfinished floors. Check out Alternative Finishes in HML’s Healthier Design Alternatives.

The newly released Tarkett Linofloor xf² flooring (specifically "Veneto") replaces the Harmonium line, previously listed by HML. This linoleum product avoids toxic heavy metals, PVC, PFAS, urea-formaldehyde, phthalates, and halogenated flame retardants. Some pigments used hopefully can be replaced with healthier alternatives soon. Tarkett offers a take-back program for their products and offcuts are 100% recyclable. Lino xf² is a glue-down linoleum - be sure to select a healthier adhesive option when installing this product.

Per Tarkett's product-specific EPDs, it's Linofloor xf₂ lines meet HML's criteria for low embodied carbon. Some thicknesses come with a polyurethane backing, it's best to avoid these as that increases its carbon impact. It contains 100% Biobased Content and has been awarded the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label in the BioPreferred® Program.

Durabella Terrazzo flooring is composed of marble aggregates and/or natural stones with a vegetable oil-based binder. This healthier alternative to epoxy flooring is Red List Free and passes VOC emissions standards for the level of Indoor Air Comfort. While the production of this product currently requires the use of isocyanates, the manufacturer avoids the more harmful toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Proper protection during installation is advisable at all times. Durabella is customizable and can be applied to interior and exterior surfaces.

Per Duracryl's EPD, this product meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Marmoleum Signature tiles are made from natural materials. The product has a low carbon footprint, and is free from toxic materials such as phthalates. The modular tiles allow you to mix and match patterns to design a unique floor surface. They can also be custom designed as long as they fit in one of the modular tile sizes.

Per Forbo's product-specific EPDs, these Marmoleum flooring system meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Marmoleum Imagine is made from natural materials and uses an Aquajet cutting technique to create the unique designs. The product has a low carbon footprint, and is free from toxic materials such as phthalates. The designs can be customized on request which allows for endless design possibilities.

Per Forbo's product-specific EPDs, these Marmoleum flooring system meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Impressa has a natural base made from renewable raw materials very similar to linoleum. A state-of-the-art printing technique allows prints directly on the substrate for a range of authentic wood looks. The product composition is free from PVC, phthalates, and styrene. Note: Aluminum Trihydrate is used as a fire retardant to exceed requirements for flame spread and smoke development by international fire testing standards. (see footnote)

Per Forbo's product-specific EPDs, this flooring system meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Shaw’s Innate + In Tandem are biobased flooring products composed of up to 50% vegetable oils. These include canola, rapeseed and castor oils. The floor compositions avoid orthophthalates, chlorine and solvents, and are FloorScore certified for low VOC. They are Cradle to Cradle certified SILVER and are Greenhealth Approved from Healthcare without Harm. Shaw’s biobased products are healthier alternatives for LVT, however, isocyanates still occur within the polyurethane processing method.

Per Shaw's product-specific EPDs, this product line meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Shaw’s Patcraft’s Ecosystem are biobased flooring products composed of up to 50% vegetable oils. These include canola, rapeseed and castor oils. The floor compositions avoid orthophthalates, chlorine and solvents, and are FloorScore certified for low VOC. They are Cradle to Cradle certified SILVER and are Greenhealth Approved from Healthcare without Harm. Shaw’s biobased products are healthier alternatives for LVT, however, isocyanates still occur within the polyurethane processing method.

Per Shaw's product-specific EPDs, this product line meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Marmoleum MCT tiles are made from natural materials such as linseed oil and rosin. The product is free from toxic materials such as phthalates. The modular tiles allow you to mix and match to design a unique floor surface. This product has a slightly thinner gauge at 2.0mm. Marmoleum MCT is 100% biobased according to Biopreferred.gov.

Per Forbo's product-specific EPDs, this Marmoleum flooring system meets HML's criteria for low embodied carbon.

Articulo is a line of porcelain tiles that are designed to look like vein-cut travertine. This product is made in the U.S. and contains both post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled material. It is comprised of just 6 materials that are converted into benign, fully vitrified porcelain during the firing process.

The majority of these tiles are produced in Muskogee, OK making this best suited for projects in the southeastern United States.

Daltile’s Keystones Collection is a colorbody porcelain mosaic line, suitable for indoor and outdoor use on floors, walls, as well countertops. A multitude of patterns allow for many expressive, aesthetic choices. The majority of these tiles are produced in Gettysburg, PA making this best suited for projects in the Northeastern United States.

PURLINE resilient flooring is made from bio-polyurethane, a high-performance composite material predominantly derived from vegetable oils such as rapeseed or castor oil and naturally occurring mineral components such as chalk. The flooring comes in various designs in sheet, tile and plank formats and requires no applied finish or coating. PURLINE is free of chloride, plasticizers, and solvents. This biobased product is a healthier alternative for LVT as it decreases the use of petrochemicals. Isocyanates still occur within the polyurethane processing method.

The Eco-Tuff Clearcoat is an NIPU (non-isocyanate) biobased polyurethane finish. It can be used to seal wood or concrete and is available in a matte, satin or gloss sheen. It avoids VOCs and PFAS. It is CDPH VOC Emissions Certified and qualifies for both WELL and LEED. Acrylic acid is being used to form the polymers. Once chemically bonded, it is not harmful in end-use. It currently still contains petrochemical derived acrylic, but this will gradually be replaced by biobased alternatives and post less harm throughout its entire life cycle.

The Acri-Soy Penetrating Wood and Concrete Sealer uses a hybrid acrylic and biobased emulsion technology. It penetrates into concrete and leaves no surface film. It can also be used to seal wood. It avoids VOCs and PFAS, it is CDPH VOC Emissions Certified and qualifies for WELL and LEED. The product is biopreferred certified. Acrylic acid is used to form the polymers. Once chemically bonded, it is not harmful in end-use. It currently still contains petrochemical-derived acrylic, but this will gradually be replaced by biobased alternatives and post less harm throughout its entire life cycle.

Naturefloor's loose floor fill is composed of wood chips from waste wood and clay. They get mixed together avoiding additives or no further treatment; clay protects wood when dry due to its equilibrium moisture content of 3-5%. This prevents mildew and animal pests. The angularity of the material ensures high dimensional stability when installed. The fill is extremely pressure-resistant and guarantees excellent sound insulation values. The clay coating also reduces flammability.