What It Is and Why It Matters for Healthy, High-Performance Interior Design
When choosing flooring for a home or commercial space, it’s easy to focus solely on aesthetics, cost, and durability. But there’s another factor that often gets overlooked: indoor air quality (IAQ). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people spend roughly 90% of their time indoors. As buildings become more airtight and energy-efficient, the impact of material choices on indoor air quality becomes critical, directly affecting the air we breathe and our overall health.
That’s where FloorScore® certification comes in. It’s a powerful tool for architects, interior designers, and homeowners who want to create spaces that are healthy, sustainable, and comfortable.
What is FloorScore® Certified Flooring?
FloorScore® is one of the most trusted third-party certifications for indoor air quality in flooring. It covers flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments (the layer installed between your subfloor and finished floor).
Developed by SCS Global Services in partnership with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), FloorScore® tests and certifies products to make sure they meet strict limits for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. These include chemicals like formaldehyde that can affect indoor air quality and health.
Why Should Indoor Air Quality Be a Priority in Modern Design?
With people spending approximately 90% of their time indoors—at home, in offices, at schools—the air we breathe in these spaces has a real impact on our health and comfort. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to allergic reactions, respiratory problems, headaches, and fatigue. Over time, exposure to certain chemicals can even lead to more serious health issues.
That’s why choosing low-emission, healthier building materials isn’t just a nice-to-have—its essential for creating spaces where people can truly thrive.

What Does the FloorScore® Certification Evaluate?
FloorScore® certification puts products through a rigorous evaluation process at independent testing labs. Products are assessed for:
- Total VOC emissions – the overall amount of volatile organic compounds released
- Formaldehyde emissions – a specific chemical known to affect air quality, often associated with adhesives and resins used in engineered flooring products
- Compliance with California Section 01350 standards – one of the strictest air quality requirements in the U.S.
- Short-term and long-term IAQ performance – how the material behaves both right after installation and over time
Only materials that meet these strict thresholds earn the FloorScore® label.
Why FloorScore® Matters for Interior Designers, Architects, and Homeowners
1. Creates Healthier Living and Working Environments
FloorScore®-certified flooring supports better indoor air quality across all types of spaces, including:
- Single-family homes
- Multi-family residential projects
- Commercial offices
- Retail and hospitality environments
- Healthcare and education buildings
When opting for FloorScore®-certified materials, you’re prioritizing occupant health and creating more comfortable, high-performing interior spaces.
2. Aligns with Green Building Standards and Material Transparency
FloorScore®-certified flooring contributes to multiple sustainability and wellness frameworks, including:
- LEED® v4.1 (Low-Emitting Materials credit)
- WELL Building Standard (Air and Materials features)
- CHPS (Collaborative for High-Performance Schools)
Using certified low-emitting materials helps projects meet important performance and certification targets.
3. Supports Material Transparency and Selection
Today’s architects and designers are increasingly expected to evaluate the health and safety impacts of the materials they specify. FloorScore® certification makes this easier by providing clear, third-party verification that flooring products meet strict emission standards. This helps design teams make informed, responsible material choices that deliver strong design and performance without sacrificing indoor air quality.

FloorScore® vs. Other IAQ Certifications
As awareness around chemical emissions has grown, so has the number of certifications designed to help guide material selection, such as programs like GREENGUARD Gold and Declare. However, FloorScore® stands out because it is:
- Specifically tailored to flooring and flooring adhesives – Addresses the unique testing needs of these products
- Widely accepted in commercial and residential building programs – Recognized across the industry
- Backed by industry-recognized third-party testing – Provides credible, independent verification
When it comes to flooring products, FloorScore® remains one of the most trusted and widely specified IAQ certifications in the industry.
Choosing Flooring that Supports Healthier Spaces: reSAWN’s European White Oak & Black Walnut Lines
Certifications are only meaningful when they’re backed by quality products that designers and homeowners can rely on. reSAWN’s European White Oak and Black Walnut flooring both offer FloorScore® certified products, which means you get aesthetically pleasing, high-performing floors that also support healthy indoor air.

We are dedicated to helping you make thoughtful, informed material choices to create homes and buildings that look beautiful and support wellbeing for years to come. If you have questions about FloorScore® or need help with your flooring project, we’re here to support you.






























