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Question:
I need a 100% non-toxic hardwood laminate to cover a radiant heat concrete slab. Are there products like this, or is there a manufacturer who would work with us on making a batch of laminate using absolutely non-toxic glues? We seek a wood finish, but have several design constraints: the slab and radiant heating tubes are already in place; floor thickness above the slab is limited to about 1″ – 1.5″; we do not want to use materials that contain toxic glues or finishes.
I’ll bet there is a growing demand for such a product.
Thanks for any leads or ideas.
Replies
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Tim:
I don't quite follow what you are seeking. Being in the profession of hardwood flooring there are many adhesives today that don't readily emit odors. Are you speaking of the manufacturing process?
I'm not familiar with the radiant heat issue living in Florida but I'm sure the other guys here can help or you can visit hoskinghardwood.com and search the Hardwood forum for related topics or make a new post.
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As long as this topic is up, is there an "ideal" hardwood laminate manufacturer or does it just vary by taste? I'd like to use cherry or something similar interesting is some upstairs bedrooms.
By nontoxic i assume he means white glue type adhesives and such -- non formaldehyde releasing. perhaps for someone with severe allergic sensitivities. Pergo promotes their synthetic product for this.
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Andrew:
I have alot of confidence in Harris-Tarkett specifically the Longstrip floating system, which has no toxic glues. There are so many manufacturers out there these days, it's hard to keep up...new ones weekly. Tarkett's been around for a long time and I just have to point out somebody still cares about quality.
Check out hoskinghardwood.com where Jeff has some great deals on the Longstrip line. Only one major home improvement chain I know that carries this line sells it for $6.16 per sf. Jeff's prices are $4.89 until June 30.
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Hi Tim,
If you're interested in learning about all of the available products designed for "Healthy Homes" you may want to order a Canadian publication called "Building Materials for Environmentally Hypersensitive" from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, cost $29.95 Canadian or $20 bucks US, order number 6742E
You can also check out their web site by typing CMHC.
Gabe
*thanks Ken
*The New Natural House Book discusses offgassing and the like as well. One approach might me to use traditional strip flooring, though I suppose this would introduce difficult-to-clean cracks. I'm sure you realize that wall-to-wall is the worst option. Tile is probably the most inoffensive, and when combined with radiant heat & area rugs can be especially cozy.But I digress. Look for the white-glue type flooring systems.
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Question:
I need a 100% non-toxic hardwood laminate to cover a radiant heat concrete slab. Are there products like this, or is there a manufacturer who would work with us on making a batch of laminate using absolutely non-toxic glues? We seek a wood finish, but have several design constraints: the slab and radiant heating tubes are already in place; floor thickness above the slab is limited to about 1" - 1.5"; we do not want to use materials that contain toxic glues or finishes.
I'll bet there is a growing demand for such a product.
Thanks for any leads or ideas.