Why FloorScore® Certification Matters for Your Hard-Surface Floors
When planning a home renovation or selecting materials for a new build, it is easy to get swept up in plank widths, grain patterns, and stain shades. However, there is a silent factor underfoot that impacts your daily life from the moment your installation is complete: your indoor air quality (IAQ).
Because Canadians spend up to 90% of their time indoors, the building materials we introduce to our living spaces directly dictate the quality of the air we breathe.
Low-grade adhesives, synthetic cores, and unverified finishes can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your home, contributing to eye irritation, headaches, and respiratory fatigue.
At Giant Commercial Flooring (GC Flooring), we believe you should never have to compromise your health to achieve a beautiful interior. Since opening our doors in 1995 in Ottawa, Ontario, our family-run philosophy has remained simple: we do not sell products we cannot stand behind. By leveraging our massive purchasing power and buying in bulk, we anticipate what our customers need, delivering high-quality, high-value flooring at optimal prices without sacrificing safety.
What is FloorScore® Certification?
Developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) in partnership with SCS Global Services, FloorScore® is the premier indoor air quality standard tailored specifically for hard-surface flooring, underlayments, and installation adhesives.
When a flooring collection carries the FloorScore® seal, it has undergone rigorous, third-party laboratory testing in specialized environmental chambers to verify that it releases low, safe levels of airborne chemicals.
What FloorScore® Audits & Tests:
- Targeted VOC Screening: Tests against 35 specific volatile organic compounds mandated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH Standard Method v1.2)—recognized as one of the most stringent indoor air quality benchmarks in North America.
- Strict Emissions Testing: Ensures off-gassing levels remain well below hazardous thresholds, keeping indoor air clean and breathable.
- Continuous Supply Chain Auditing: Manufacturers do not get a permanent pass. To maintain certification, facilities must undergo unannounced site audits, material assessments, and regular product re-testing.
Which Flooring Categories Carry FloorScore® Seals?
Unlike generic eco-labels, FloorScore® focuses specifically on the hard-surface materials you rely on for busy residential and commercial spaces:
- Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) & Tile (LVT): Ensures rigid cores (SPC/WPC) and wear layers do not release harmful chemical vapors.
- Laminate Flooring: Verifies that high-density fiberboards (HDF) and protective top coats meet clean air criteria.
- Engineered Hardwood & Solid Wood: Guarantees that stains, sealants, and bonding glues are non-toxic.
- Underlayments & Adhesives: Protects your home from the subfloor up, ensuring installation accessories do not compromise your indoor air.
FloorScore® vs. GREENGUARD Gold: Knowing the Distinction
While browsing for healthy flooring options, you will likely encounter both of these trusted standards. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | FloorScore® Certification | GREENGUARD Gold Certification |
| Primary Scope | Hard-surface flooring, underlayments, & adhesives | Whole interior environments, furniture, & building materials |
| Testing Standard | 35 targeted VOCs (CDPH v1.2 Standard) | 10,000+ VOCs & total chemical emission limits |
| Industry Specialization | Specifically tailored for hard-surface flooring engineering | Broad spectrum for daycares, schools, & healthcare spaces |
| Best For | Residential & commercial LVP, laminate, & wood installs | Ultra-sensitive environments, nurseries, & healthcare facilities |
Top FloorScore® Certified Brands Available at GC Flooring
Because we take personal pride in hand-selecting inventory that passes the highest tests of durability and longevity, we stock FloorScore® certified options from North America’s top manufacturers:
- TwelveOaks, Fuzion, & Richmond: Premium luxury vinyl and laminate lines engineered for active Canadian homes.
- Mohawk, Karastan, & Pergo: Trusted collections that prioritize sustainable manufacturing and healthy indoor performance.
- Goodfellow, Preverco, Mercier, & Superior Flooring: High-end engineered and solid hardwood lines crafted with non-toxic finishes.
- TORLYS & Armstrong Flooring: Smart hard-surface designs built for durability and clean indoor air.
Shop FloorScore® Certified Flooring Online with Giant Commercial Flooring
Navigating product lines at big-box stores can leave you wandering down endless aisles of confusing specs and unverified claims. At Giant Commercial Flooring, we focus on personally helping you select flooring that is just right for your space and family.
Over the past 25+ years, our friendly, professional team—some of whom have been in the flooring industry for decades—takes the time to understand your goals, walk you through practical options, and stand behind every sale. As a family-rooted business, don’t be surprised to be served directly by the owners in our Ottawa showroom, over the phone, or online!
Because we invest in large inventory levels and buy in bulk, we pass those savings directly to you—offering name-brand, health-conscious flooring ready for immediate delivery.
Call or visit Giant Commercial Flooring (GC Flooring) .We service all of Canada’s 10 provinces, delivering quality you can stand behind.
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Prince Edward Island
- Nova Scotia
- Newfoundland and Labrador
About Giant Commercial Flooring
Since 1995, Giant Commercial Flooring has been enhancing Canadian homes and businesses with premium, high-value flooring backed by a family-founded commitment to honesty.
Based in Ottawa and servicing all 10 provinces, we offer unbeatable pricing on top-tier brands by buying in bulk and maintaining a massive, ready-to-ship inventory. Unlike the impersonal experience of big-box stores, our expert team—and often the owners themselves—personally guides you through our curated selection of hardwood, vinyl, and laminate to find the perfect fit for your durability needs and budget.
We don’t just sell floors; we stand behind them with a satisfaction guarantee, ensuring you get the highest quality products underfoot, delivered with the professional care you deserve.