“The standards will validate the differentiated performance characteristics of this entirely new category of floorcovering,” says Jones, Vice President, Windmoeller Inc.

For the design professional and specifier, it is important that a selected PVC-free flooring material can satisfy these minimum required standards. However, the test methods and standards from these organizations are created to set only minimum benchmarks and quality control for products entering the market. Test methods typically only demonstrate a repeated performance by the product that satisfies test requirements. Selecting a high-performance flooring material among various flooring options means placing a detailed lens on performance and environmental attributes.

Photo courtesy of Windmoeller Inc.

Bio-based polyurethane floor coverings provide a superlative combination of unbeatable performance, limitless design, and incomparable sustainability.

ATTRIBUTES OF RESILIENT FLOOR PERFORMANCE

The industry tests performed on flooring are used for a product to achieve a “pass” or “fail,” or to meet a minimum threshold requirement to satisfy the accepted industry standard. Passing or meeting the threshold requirements does not necessarily prove that one material is better than another material. However, the absence of performance testing is always a red flag for specifiers. Flooring at a specific job may also need to satisfy additional project criteria, like flammability and smoke requirements (ASTM E648 and ASTM E662), static load (ASTM F970), dimensional stability (ASTM F2199), or special chemical resistance (ASTM F925). Unique building codes and provisions established by state and local governments may apply. Finally, the most suitable material should meet specific project and design goals, like low embodied carbon thresholds or environmental certification, found in a product-specific Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), while providing durability and ease of maintenance. Clearly understanding the type of material and its assembly and options will help inform a best choice.

Flooring Product Structure Types

It is beneficial to understand the two types of resilient flooring structures before discussing resilient flooring performance. Resilient flooring structures can fall into one of two categories: homogenous and heterogeneous structure.

A homogeneous floor covering is uniform in both structure and composition—a homogeneous mixture of raw materials throughout the entire thickness of the finished product. Rubber, linoleum, vinyl, and cork can be examples. A single layer of raw materials and pigments compose the floor with the possible addition of a surface treatment at the top.

Heterogeneous flooring consists of a wear layer and other layers which differ in composition or design and can contain a reinforcement. This composition can consist of a backing, a stabilization layer, décor, a protective layer, and a surface treatment layer on the top. Polyurethane and vinyl are examples of this structural type.

Defining Wear Surface and Wear Layers

Recognizing the role of the wear layer and wear surface helps in understanding the expected performance and durability of the flooring. While these terms may seem similar, they have distinct meanings in the context of flooring materials. Knowing the difference between the wear layer and wear surface enables designers to make informed choices to ensure the chosen flooring can meet the specific needs of the intended application, level of foot traffic, and desired longevity. By distinguishing between the wear layer and wear surface, designers can compare different flooring products more effectively. They can evaluate factors such as wear layer thickness, wear surface material, and overall performance attributes to determine which product best aligns with their requirements and preferences.

In current ASTM standard specifications for vinyl flooring, the wear layer is a specific component within the flooring construction often used to classify products into residential, light commercial, commercial, and industrial applications. Meanwhile, the wear surface represents the overall top face enduring daily wear and tear, forming the basis for manufacturers' marketing performance claims.

The thickness and material makeup of the wear layer and wear surface are both significant. A thicker wear layer typically indicates better resistance to wear and tear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. The wear layer is a tangible layer within the construction of the resilient flooring. In resilient heterogeneous vinyl flooring, it's usually a clear vinyl layer applied atop the decorative or printed layer. Its primary role is to provide additional protection in case the wear surface or factory coating is compromised. The thickness of this wear layer matters: measured in mils (thousandths of an inch), thicker layers (e.g., 20 mils) offer superior durability, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. However, the wear layer is known as the performance layer in bio-based polyurethane flooring is not vinyl. It is pure polyurethane that retains the strength and performance of traditional polyurethane coatings, enhancing confidence in its long-term performance.

The composition and characteristics of the wear surface influence factors such as stain resistance, scratch resistance, and ease of maintenance. It is the topmost layer of the resilient flooring that interacts with foot traffic, furniture, and other objects. Sometimes referred to as the factory coating, it's extremely thin, akin to a few hairs. The wear surface, or specialty coating, is incorporated into the wear layer, which may include any embossed or textured patterns applied on top. Polyurethane is commonly used for the wear surface due to its strength and exceptional performance in resisting stains, scratches, and wear, while being easy to clean and maintain.

Aesthetics

Flooring choice is also about design. A floor that performs but fails to satisfy the desired aesthetic is a mismatch from the start. Certain resilient materials, such as rubber or linoleum, offer durability but a limited design palette. Bio-based polyurethane formulations can accommodate custom design capabilities as well as a wide range of standard colorways. When produced as tiles or planks, bio-based polyurethane can mimic classic marble, biophilic design, textiles, wood planks, and a variety of other patterns and designs, which are also offered in sheet format for preferred application areas. Bio-based polyurethane flooring solutions can be produced in almost any form and design using digital printing.

SAFE, SUSTAINABLE FLOORING: THE FUTURE IS RESILIENT

At Sunnyvale, beyond its functionality, performance, and aesthetics, bio-based polyurethane flooring's sustainability attributes perfectly aligned with the school’s LEED aspirations. Many bio-based polyurethane options boast certifications like Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Silver, which signifies a product's positive impact on human and environmental health. Additionally, the availability of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and Health Product Declaration (HPD) provided valuable transparency regarding the flooring's environmental footprint and ingredient disclosure. These factors contributed to Sunnyvale's potential for LEED credits.

Photo courtesy of Matter Surfaces and provided by Windmoeller Inc.

Overcoming the challenge of limited design palettes common to some resilient materials, bio-based polyurethane can mimic classic marble, wood planks, and a variety of other patterns and designs.

Decision Points

When selecting a flooring product, designers should know what the flooring is: what material they are choosing and ultimately specifying, how it is expected to perform and be maintained, and how it contributes to a more sustainable built environment. For flooring products, it is not just the what, but also the how. How the product impacts the health of building occupants and is cared for within the structure has serious ramifications. An all-encompassing approach to assessing flooring material sustainability covers every point of a product's life cycle, from the raw materials used, manufacturing process, distribution, installation methods, and end-of-life recycling.

What assets make a flooring product sustainable? Marks of a sustainable product can include:

• Human health
• Lower carbon footprint and GWP
• Material transparency
• Life cycle impact and longevity
• Durability
• Maintenance and cleanability (low operational carbon involvement)
• Circularity