cork flooring

[blue heron]

We need info about how to tell if cork floor is green. I read in an article somewhere that some cork floor is made with nasty stuff (formaldahyde maybe?) and so you have to be careful where you get it. I'm guessing the stuff and home depot and lowes is not green. How do you know? Any good sources for cork floor?

[dawningmama]

I read an article that suggested purchasing a box and opening it and leaving the open box in a closed room for a couple of days and then just smelling it. The article (in some home reno magazine, can't remember which one) said it can be hard to find out where the floors are manufactured but that, yes, many are not "manufactured" cork instead of natural cork and are treated with formaldehyde.

[talia rose]

Yes, cork flooring, as well as bamboo, is a "glued together" product. If you go with a cheap brand it will have high levels of formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals. It is always better to go with a truly green brand. Make sure it has no added formaldehyde. We have Nova Cork which is made in Switzerland and very clean, but I know there are other good brands out there as well. Looking for Floating Click together panels also saves the need to use toxic glues.