Re: [GBlist] flooring for the chemically sensitive

["Beverly A. Weiter" <environs.com@juno.com>]

Emma,

If the glue has an odor oin the dried sample, it will have an odor once
down.  The laminate flooring product is floated-that means it is glued
together, but not down, so there will be glue at the joint of each board.

Secondly, the floor does not go to the wall-there is gap left around the
perimeter, which is covered with a wood "shoemould" so there is an air
space to outgas in.

Lastly, because there is a pressboard underbase, any water that gets
under the gap from a leak etc. will cause the underbase to "blow up" like
particleboard.  Thsi would then be non-repairable and a major source of
mold, and based on your description of your landlord, you would
undoubtedly wait a good while for remediation.

Finally, and this is personal, the flooring is as hard as tile but tends
to be very loud to walk on.  Perhaps because it is "floated" it echoes
every step unless you are barefoot.
Basically, it is like walking on a piece of "mica" furniture.

Beverly Weiter
Environs Interiors
Boca Raton, FL  
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