Article Number : 6275 |
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| Date | 1/12/2011 9:03:12 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=6275 |
| Abstract | By Bob Pratt Technical director, MP Global Products For specifiers and discerning green-minded architects, contractors and consumers alike, eco-friendly underlayment is a smart foundation on which to build a finished floor... |
| Article | By Bob Pratt Technical director, MP Global Products For specifiers and discerning green-minded architects, contractors and consumers alike, eco-friendly underlayment is a smart foundation on which to build a finished floor. Under most any type of residential or commercial floor covering (green or otherwise), environmentally friendly quality padding can offer plenty of advantages, including cleaner and healthier indoor air; reduced energy consumption for the end-user; sound absorption, and moisture control. Responsible, earth-aware underlayment manufacturers offer a variety of products that are odorless, free of any volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are made substantially or entirely of recycled materials. Company websites and spec sheets often mention those qualities and other eco-friendly characteristics, enabling designers and specifiers to select cushion that not only satisfies customers or a project’s green interests but delivers the best combination of value-added benefits for the job. Through thoughtful, innovative manufacturing processes and careful product engineering, an underlayment manufacturer can design in a variety of earth-friendly performance characteristics. For example: • Eco-friendly odorless cushion made without VOCs contributes to better indoor air quality by minimizing or eliminating the effects of off-gassing not only during and soon after installation but throughout the life of the finished floor. Padding that meets standards for low emissions may earn LEED credit in the category of Indoor Environmental Quality. • Eco-friendly underlayment made substantially or entirely from recycled textile fibers keeps those materials out of landfills. If the installation is part of a green project, the cushion may contribute to LEED credits in the category of Materials and Resources (MR 4.1 and 4.2). • Insulating underlayment that adds an R-value of at least .50 acts as a thermal “break” to the flooring assembly, keeping the room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, thus reducing end-user energy expenses. • Sound absorbing padding reduces indoor noise pollution by dampening ambient sound and inhibiting sound from traveling into the room below. • Underlayments engineered that feature moisture protection installed properly allows perimeter moisture to dissipate by evaporation over time, reducing the possibility of mold growth under the finished floor. Some manufacturers have backed up their environmental claims with unbiased, third-party testing and certification from reputable, widely recognized independent organizations such as Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) and GreenGuard, making it easy for consumers and specifiers, as well as distributors, to identify eco-friendly cushion. Underlayment combining upgraded performance qualities and documented green attributes not only satisfies discerning customers but contributes to making the world a more comfortable place to live. |