Article Number : 5102 |
|
Article Detail |
|
 | |
| Date | 12/4/2009 9:14:27 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=5102 |
| Abstract | By Matthew Spieler In a climate where all business sectors and industries clamor for recognition of their green attributes, the resilient category— from vinyl to linoleum to rubber is none to be... |
| Article | By Matthew Spieler In a climate where all business sectors and industries clamor for recognition of their green attributes, the resilient category— from vinyl to linoleum to rubber is none to be left behind. The category maintains a strong presence in the fight for environmental responsibility with benefits including being made with natural, renewable materials that contribute to healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) and extended life cycles that reduce waste production. In both residential and commercial applications, the numerous flooring options within the resilient category are making it easier than ever for end users to reduce their ecological footprint. The following is a snapshot of what each of the three main sub-segments in resilient are doing to make themselves as green as possible. Historically, vinyl sheet and floor tile specs depended largely on market conditions and budget constraints. But the green building craze is emerging as an important selling factor, experts say, as architects and designers attempt to bring environmentally responsible, healthy and efficient products into commercial interiors. At the same time, recommendation of green products enables specifiers to meet standards under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for resource- efficient and environmentally friendly buildings established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Although green building rating systems do exist, there is no universal definition for marketing terms such as “recyclable product” and “environmentally friendly,” observers say. The common denominator among green products is each either helps divert volume from landfill disposal, conserves natural resources, extends the product life cycle or reduces problems associated with off-gassing. “As the green movement gains momentum and more of the population becomes aware of the importance of conservation and utilizing sustainable products, responsible manufacturers are making environmental objectives a priority,” said Diane Martel, vice president of marketing, Tarkett Commercial. Most of the latest research and development in resilient flooring—particularly on the commercial side—centers on meeting stringent IAQ standards and specs for green building materials. This includes incorporating more recycled content into vinyl flooring, switching to greener formulations and making prudent use of natural resources. Major resilient flooring companies are collectively producing products that meet FloorScore guidelines, a nationally recognized program run by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) that tests and certifies hard surfaces for compliance against the most stringent IAQ requirements. “A flooring product that bears the FloorScore seal has been independently certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) to comply with the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions criteria of the California Section 01350 program,” said Dean Thompson, RFCI’s president. In conjunction with SCS, the Institute developed the program several years ago and participation is currently still voluntary. Suppliers are taking initiatives by investing in products that are environmentally responsible. For instance, Mannington launched the first vinyl composition tile (VCT) made with 25% post-consumer content, thus helping reduce more than one billion pounds of VCT that currently finds it way to landfills. Similarly, Armstrong’s Migrations BioBased Tile is produced from limestone with a binder that uses BioStride polymer, which reduces reliance on fossil fuel. Launched in early 2008, Migrations BBT is made from 75% limestone, 14% BioStride, 10% pre-consumer recycled content and 1% pigment. “We have moved away from complete reliance in resilient products based on limited natural resources, such as petroleum-based polymers, to using rapidly renewable resources,” noted Kent Clauson, Armstrong’s general manager of marketing. “We’ve created a green product solution in the marketplace and eliminated any learning curve regarding its usage.” Tarkett has also moved away from limited natural resources. The company not only uses pre-consumer recycled material in its Azrock products, it sources raw materials, such as limestone, close to its manufacturing plants to conserve transportation fuel and reduce gas emissions, limiting its use of petroleum on two fronts. Indeed, life cycle cost advantages of resilient flooring places fewer burdens on the environment. Life cycle analyses experts note it is a better long-term investment to initially select a more expensive vinyl floor requiring less maintenance than to automatically select a product because of its lower price point. This is especially important in commercial applications such as retail, education, offices and healthcare, areas where low maintenance costs are critical. “This minimizes the number of times you have to replace the floor, and ultimately waste produced,” Armstrong’s Clauson explained. Rubber Creating high quality products that are not only durable and stylish but also environmentally friendly is becoming increasingly important to the rubber flooring industry. To that end, manufacturers are creating new goods made from renewable resources or post industrial/post consumer waste. Rubber flooring can also contribute to LEED certification without compromising stock availability, performance, durability or style, vendors say. Industry studies confirm rubber, which in and of itself is a natural product, offers a better value over many other flooring options when purchasing and maintenance costs over an extended period of time are factored in. Rubber is typically maintained by dry and wet mopping and requires no waxes or sealers. “Our products contribute to the IAQ of workplaces as they help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, contain adhesives that meet or exceed all regulatory VOC limits and can be cleaned without solvent-or phosphate-based cleaners,” said Jeff Krejsa, director of marketing at Johnsonite. “Installation and replacement efforts are simpler and have less impact on IAQ and material being sent to landfills while also rendering lower maintenance and downtime costs,” he continued. While life cycle cost is a major environmental benefit, industry members say it may not stand up to commercial customers who remodel their spaces every few years or plan to relocate when leases expire. In these situations, rubber may not be the most economical or environmental choice, which is why rubber is often specified for applications where end users are looking to make an investment in a floor that will last 20 years or more, such as for schools, healthcare facilities and office complexes. Rubber does not have to be replaced as often as some other floors and the product plays a role across certain LEED credit categories, covering such areas as materials and resources, IAQ, energy and atmosphere, and innovation and design. While the initial cost may be higher, the real cost savings comes in the form of lower maintenance costs and longer life, the latter of which may or may not be factored into the equation. By requiring less maintenance than competitive floors, experts say, it minimizes using resources and saves end users money. Plus, the decreased use of cleaning products adds to improved IAQ due to lower VOC emissions. Linoleum Widely viewed as a sustainable product because of the large percentage of rapidly renewable resources that make up its content—linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments— linoleum floors have been around for more than a century. In the specification and end-user community, linoleum flooring is widely considered a responsible environmental choice for commercial installations. However, an estimated one-third of U.S. linoleum sales are generated from the residential market, also largely driven by the product’s green benefits. Linoleum marketers say they consider this sector fertile ground because advertising is directed toward people looking for not only a sustainable solution in the floor, but a unique design alternative for a house that offers healthy advantages—a key selling point for many suppliers since linoleum naturally inhibits bacteria growth. An example of a popular linoleum product is Armstrong’s flagship Marmorette line, which anchors its linoleum collection and is designed to work within a variety of environments. Last year, the company developed a new durable top layer for its linoleum floors called NaturCote to increase resistance to scratches and scuffs while maintaining the floor’s appearance at a low maintenance cost. Because NaturCote is bonded to the floor’s surface, the floor is protected from accidental exposure to high pH cleaners and stripping solutions. Linoleum is valued as a natural product that combines beauty and performance. Environmental advantages coupled with its durability and life cycle costs make it a popular choice for an array of commercial and residential applications, experts say. Life cycle costs are low because linoleum is so durable and easy to maintain. Since they do not require a finish, suppliers say linoleum floors are easily maintainable. The fact that the product actually gets harder with age makes it remarkably durable as well. A case in point is Radio City Music Hall in New York, where the Rockettes have danced on the same linoleum stage floor for decades. Reduced maintenance also helps lower waste treatments due to less cleaning agents and water that need disposal. Life cycle analysis shows that linoleum products are an ecologically preferred floor covering. The renewable materials, experts concur, underlie the charm that gives each design its inimitable and distinguished look. |