There are many factors you have to consider when purchasing flooring for your home or business. Chief among these factors is the look and price of the flooring. These days, cost is certainly on everyone's minds. It's easy to turn toward the least expensive options on the market and think that the only thing you may be compromising on is the quality of the product.
However, that's not always the case. When it comes to purchasing inexpensive flooring, keep in mind that the adage its too good to be true is often times appropriate: extremely inexpensive flooring can actually have negative impacts on your health.
The most inexpensive flooring on the market typically comes from China. Heres why you should be concerned.
Here at FastFloors.com, we strongly encourage you to be an active shopper when choosing flooring for your project. You should never have to overpay for a product if you can find it for less somewhere else. During your search, you may quickly discover that the cheapest flooring around is currently coming from China.
Not surprisingly, however, this same flooring is the kind thats causing health problems for consumers across the country. Frustratingly, companies aren't always clear on the journey in which their products take to get to the shelves. For example, some U.S.-based companies will produce their flooring here in America, but then ship them out to China for chemical treatment. By doing this they can continue to state their products are US-made, but they are withholding vital information to the consumer that China is involved in the manufacturing.
Case in point formaldehyde percentages in Chinese laminate flooring
A recent 60 Minutes investigation unveiled that the nations largest flooring retailer Lumber Liquidators sells laminate flooring from China that exceeds CARB2 (California) standards by up to 20 times. The three mills Lumber Liquidators use in China for this laminate knowingly label the products they ship as CARB2 compliant, despite the levels of formaldehyde in the flooring greatly exceeding the legal amount.
And Lumber Liquidators is not alone. Many flooring manufacturers rely on Chinese mills to mass-produce dirt-cheap products, so that these manufacturers can then sell their inventory at super low prices to the consumer.
But is it really worth the health of you and your family in order to save a bit on flooring?
Quality that's just not up to par
Within the flooring industry its been long understood that Chinese flooring quality is simply not up to par with US and European offerings. This goes beyond even the stark health concerns associated with Chinese mills and the presence of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). It also goes toward aesthetics and quality.
If you compare oak floor samples from certain Chinese manufacturing plants to those in the US, you're likely to see a lack of definition and coloration in the Chinese samples. Typically, a consumer interested in hardwood flooring is looking for a specific feel and appearance, but they'll be greatly disappointed when their Chinese-imported flooring arrives.
Be your best advocate
It may sound like there are numerous reasons to be wary about those in the flooring industry. While its true that there are companies looking to undercut their competitors at any cost (including your health), there are a great number of manufacturers out there who are extremely careful with whom they work with in producing their flooring.
That being said, in the end we encourage you to be your best advocate. Prior to committing to one type of flooring or manufacturer, conduct thorough research. Make sure that you know exactly how the flooring you're about to buy came into existence. Was China involved in any way? If so, how can you be sure that the Chinese mill involved adheres to the types of practices we find acceptable in the United States? Don't be afraid to ask these questions to your list of potential manufacturers.
Here at FastFloors.com, we practice a transparent approach to flooring. We do not hesitate to share with you the detailed manufacturing process of all of the flooring we sell. We believe that you have the right to affordable, high-quality flooring without fearing for your health or the health of your family.
