Welcome to the PVC-Free Flooring Glossary—a practical reference for procurement managers, architects, installers, and ESG leaders.
This page explains the core concepts behind chlorine-free formulations, polyolefin and elastomer families, bio-based materials, multi-layer constructions, surface finishes, installation practices, and performance/air-quality standards.
Use it to align technical documentation, sustainability claims, and jobsite execution across your projects.
| Term | Definition |
| PVC‑Free Flooring | Resilient or composite flooring that contains no PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or chlorine‑containing additives. |
| Chlorine‑Free | Formulated without chlorine to avoid halogen‑related risks during fire and end‑of‑life. |
| Halogen‑Free | Contains no halogens (Cl, Br, I) including halogenated flame retardants. |
| Plasticizer‑Free | Achieves flexibility without phthalates or other plasticizers. |
| Bio‑Based Content | Portion of raw materials derived from renewable biomass (e.g., plant oils, natural resins). |
| Polyolefin (PO) | PVC‑free family based on PE/PP blends, often with mineral filler and elastomers. |
| TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) | PP/PE with rubber phase; flexible, weldable, and recyclable. |
| POE (Polyolefin Elastomer) | Ethylene‑octene and related copolymers used to boost flexibility and low‑temp toughness. |
| EVA | Ethylene‑vinyl acetate copolymer providing cushioning and bondability. |
| TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) | Very abrasion‑resistant, elastic, and cold‑flexible; used as wear layer or full construction. |
| TPE‑S (SEBS/SBS) | Styrenic block copolymer elastomers; soft touch and flexible surface layers. |
| EPDM Rubber | PVC‑free rubber base with excellent weathering and ozone resistance. |
| Linoleum | Bio‑based sheet made from linseed oil, rosin, wood flour, and limestone on jute backing. |
| Cork Flooring (PVC‑Free) | Cork granules bound with halogen‑free systems to form resilient flooring. |
| PET / Polyester Composite | Chlorine‑free cores or felts based on polyester/PET. |
| PLA / PHA | Bio‑polymers used in specific applications where compostability or bio‑content is desired. |
| Mineral Filler (CaCO3 / Talc) | Inorganic fillers improving stiffness, stability, and cost profile. |
| Reactive Hot‑Melt / PU Binder | Adhesive systems for layer bonding in PVC‑free constructions. |
| Wear Layer | Transparent protective layer improving scratch and abrasion resistance. |
| Decor Layer / Digital Print | Aesthetic layer using digital print or color chips for design. |
| Base / Foam Core | Foamed core (PO/TPU/EVA) delivering rebound and comfort. |
| Fiberglass Reinforcement | Glass scrim inserted to control dimensional change and curling. |
| Textile / Felt Backing | Polyester felt backing to aid installation and acoustics. |
| Uncoupling / Acoustic Pad | Pre‑attached pad to improve IIC/STC and footfall comfort. |
| Closed‑Cell Foam | Foam structure with sealed cells for low water uptake and better thermal response. |
| PU / PUR Coating | Polyurethane reinforcement enabling no‑wax maintenance. |
| UV‑Cured Topcoat | UV‑crosslinked finish for stain, scratch, and chemical resistance. |
| EIR Embossing | Embossed‑in‑register texture aligned with the printed visual. |
| Matte / Low‑Gloss Finish | Reduced glare finish improving appearance and slip perception. |
| Anti‑Microbial Additive | Surface technology that inhibits common bacterial growth. |
| Glue‑Down | Full‑spread installation using compatible chlorine‑free adhesive. |
| PSA (Pressure‑Sensitive Adhesive) | Tacky adhesive that forms a bond under pressure; common with PO/felt backs. |
| Loose‑Lay (High‑Grip Backing) | Room‑scale installation relying on backing friction and perimeter constraints. |
| Click‑Lock (PVC‑Free Core) | Mechanical interlock for floating installation in planks/tiles. |
| Heat Welding (Where Applicable) | Thermoplastic welding of seams using matching rod for hygiene. |
| Cold Seam Sealer | Chemical seam treatment to reduce dirt ingress and improve hygiene. |
| Subfloor Flatness | Acceptable flatness tolerance for the substrate before install. |
| Moisture Testing (RH / MVER) | Jobsite moisture evaluation using in‑situ RH or MVER methods. |
| Self‑Leveling Underlayment | Cementitious or gypsum‑based compounds used to correct flatness. |
| Dimensional Stability | Change in size/shape after heat or humidity cycles. |
| Residual Indentation | Depth of indentation remaining after a static load is removed. |
| Castor Chair Resistance | Ability to resist wear and indentation from rolling loads. |
| Scratch / Abrasion Resistance | Resistance to surface scratching and wear over time. |
| Thermal Conductivity | Heat transfer characteristic relevant to underfloor heating comfort. |
| Sound Insulation (IIC / STC) | Impact and airborne sound ratings for floor/ceiling systems. |
| Slip Resistance (PTV / R‑Class) | Friction evaluation via pendulum (PTV) or DIN 51130 R9–R13. |
| Fire Performance (EN 13501‑1) | Reaction‑to‑fire rating such as Bfl‑s1 or Cfl‑s1 depending on build‑up. |
| Chemical Resistance (ISO 26987) | Resistance of the surface to common chemicals and stains. |
| Light Fastness | Resistance to color change under light exposure. |
| TVOC Emissions | Total volatile organic compound emissions affecting indoor air quality. |
| Phthalate‑Free Claim | Declaration that no phthalate plasticizers are used. |
| REACH / SVHC | EU regulation limiting substances of very high concern. |
| RoHS (Where Relevant) | Restriction of hazardous substances for electronic/trim components. |
| FloorScore / Indoor Air | Indoor air‑quality certification for low emissions. |
| M1 (Finland) | Finnish low‑emitting building material classification. |
| Blue Angel (DE‑UZ 120) | German ecolabel focusing on low emissions and recyclability. |
| EPD (ISO 14025) | Third‑party verified Environmental Product Declaration. |
| LCA / Carbon Footprint | Life‑cycle assessment and product carbon accounting. |
| Recyclability / Mono‑Material | Designed with a single polymer family to enable recycling. |
| Post‑Consumer Recycled (PCR) | Content sourced from consumer‑post recycling streams. |
| Take‑Back Program | Manufacturer program to collect and recycle used flooring. |
| Heterogeneous vs PVC‑Free | PVC‑free floors can be single‑ or multi‑layer and are distinct from traditional PVC heterogenous types. |
| Sheet / Roll | Large‑format rolls for healthcare, education, and commercial spaces. |
| Tile / Plank | Modular tiles/planks for ease of replacement and phased maintenance. |
| Sports / Multipurpose | PVC‑free sports surfacing with cushioning and durability. |
| Healthcare / Cleanroom | Seam‑welded, coved, and low‑emission solutions for infection control. |
| Education / Retail | High‑traffic wear and easy maintenance for public interiors. |
| Extrusion / Calendering | Primary forming methods for sheets and films. |
| Foaming (Physical / Chemical) | Foam processes to tune density, rebound, and comfort. |
| Inline Embossing | Texture pressed during continuous production. |
| Lamination | Layer bonding under heat and pressure. |
| Quality Control (QC) | Incoming, in‑process, and final inspection for consistency. |
| Tolerance (Gauge / Width) | Permissible variation in thickness and width. |
| Shade Control | Color consistency management across batches and areas. |
| Peel Strength | Interlayer adhesion metric to prevent delamination. |
| VOC / Emission Testing | Analytical testing for TVOC and specific substances by standard methods. |
| SKU / Colorway | Coding for inventory tracking and color identification. |
| MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) | Minimum order per color/design or project. |
| Lead Time | Time from purchase order to shipment readiness. |
| Palletization | Pallet stacking pattern and protection for transport and storage. |
| 20GP / 40HQ | Common ocean freight container sizes used for shipments. |
Choosing the right PVC-free system hinges on understanding materials, compliance, and lifecycle impacts.
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