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"Basement" and "flooring" are two words that when put together, strike terror in the hearts of homeowners everywhere. Why? One more word- moisture.

For many years we enjoyed the warmth of a low pile commercial grade carpet in the lower level of our townhome. However, structural problems on the outside of our unit, which allowed water to flow inside, brought that peaceful pairing to a screeching halt. Although the problem was repaired by our HOA (a crazy story for another time), we were left holding the bag when it came to repairing the damages caused on the inside of our unit.

Ironically, I had begun researching small bifold door updates for the basement man cave anyway. It seemed natural to add flooring to my list of ideas to research.

Thus began our search for more resilient flooring options. We needed flooring that:

Looked great
Could be installed over concrete with an added or built-in underlayment
Is non-toxic; that means no phthalates (a toxic chemical stabilizer used in softening plastics), low to no VOC, and absolutely no formaldehyde
Would be easy for us or a contractor to install
Doesn’t warp, fade, crack or buckle
Performs well under moisture-rich conditions

Little did I know that this exploration into a resilient floor covering that was made for real life would send me down a rabbit hole. To help you avoid the same scenario, I've come up with a list of questions and answers I stumbled upon while doing my research

What is Resilient Flooring?

The word resilient means: "able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions." Yet when it comes to flooring, that definition broadens a bit. According to the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), "resilient flooring is defined as a non-textile floor that provides underfoot comfort and characteristically bounces back from repeated traffic or compression."

In other words, due to its exceptional ability to tolerate demanding environments, resilient flooring means that it can maintain its shape and size against moisture and/or climate changes. It also contains a bounce-back feature that provides a light cushion against blows.

With that definition in mind, all of the following flooring options were immediately disqualified for this project:

Hardwood, which is organic and therefore subject to mold and warping in moist conditions
Ceramic tile, which is too hard to "bounce back", and too cold for a Midwest basement
Laminate, which is made with HDF- high-density fiber board and is not waterproof
Carpet, a soft floor covering but definitely a no-go since it's like a sponge

What Are Some Resilient Flooring Options?

So what's left? A lot! Resilient flooring can include: cork, linoleum, rubber, polymeric (think epoxy), and vinyl. Now the question became: which option was the best one for us? We decided on resilient vinyl flooring planks for our project.

To be clear, the terms plank vinyl floor, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl floor (LVF), are sometimes used interchangeably and refers to vinyl flooring that has been cut into long strips similar to that of wood planks.

A Terrifying Discovery

While searching through an endless array of resilient flooring styles, I stumbled across a 7-month undercover investigation of a well-known flooring retailer. The investigation revealed that the retailer was selling laminate flooring which contained toxic levels of formaldehyde. This prompted me look past the beautiful aesthetics of vinyl planks and take a deep dive into the type vinyl flooring we would use.

Eco-Friendly Flooring: What to Look For

So how could I avoid the pitfall of purchasing a product that could make me or my loved ones ill? Sustainable and environmentally friendly flooring seemed like a great place to start. Here are some mindful manufacturing tips that I found during my research.

I discovered that some resilient flooring manufacturers who utilize mindful manufacturing choose to provide a Health Product Declaration (HPD) for specific products. These means that a list of materials and ingredients used in a product are revealed. It's similar to the FDA’s nutrition label found on food packages.

Terms like "formaldehyde-free" and "phthalate-free" as well as low to no release of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), should be present in the packaging and the item's description. This will help in the pursuit of non-toxic flooring that permits the best indoor quality of air possible. In cases where low VOCs are emitted, an air purifier designed to remove VOCs can be used.

Finally, FloorScore® and ASSURE CERTIFIED™ are industry gatekeepers that work to ensure that a product meets strict standards for indoor air quality. The standards they use for testing phthalates and heavy metals in products are the same ones used for the testing of children’s toys. Good to know!

Now Let's Talk Composition and Aesthetics… How is Vinyl Plank Flooring Made?

Once we siphoned out the poor choices, it was time to move on to composition and aesthetics. The multi-layered composition is what gives vinyl plank flooring its durability. The primary raw material used in vinyl planks is limestone. But its core consists of plastic and fiberglass (or sometimes felt), followed by an intricate engraving process.

What makes vinyl flooring so intriguing is the 3D printing technology called rotogravure on its surface. This printing method permits the vinyl planks to be manufactured in a way that mimics the look and style of natural materials such as wood or stone. Impressions can also be injected into the vinyl itself, causing it to last much longer. The images contained in the post are the perfect examples of the finished look. I’m blown away by how much it actually looks like wood or porcelain tile!

We’ve chosen to go with a grey oak vinyl plank for our basement floors. But we’re still a long way from sharing photos from that project. In a future post, I’ll be sure to update you on it. Stay tuned, because I have a feeling this is going to be epic!