Indoor Air Quality: The Air You Breathe at Home Begins with the Right Flooring
Wicanders flooring helps improve indoor air quality
BlogIndoor air quality has become an increasing concern for consumers, architects and designers due to growing awareness of the impact of indoor spaces on overall health and well-being. While factors such as ventilation and natural light are often considered when creating healthier living environments, one element is frequently overlooked: flooring.
Present throughout the home, flooring plays a vital role in indoor environments. Choosing low-emission, responsibly sourced materials can contribute to spaces that are more comfortable, balanced and aligned with the expectations of those seeking healthier homes.
Wicanders — the Amorim Cork Solutions brand that specialises in sustainable flooring solutions — is reinforcing its commitment to indoor air quality through a portfolio of cork flooring solutions that are entirely PVC-free. Developed to meet the demands of increasingly informed consumers, the brand's products combine technical performance, design and a people-centred approach to well-being.
Made from cork, a natural, renewable, and responsibly sourced raw material, Wicanders flooring delivers benefits that extend beyond indoor air quality. Cork's natural properties help create more comfortable, quieter and balanced spaces by reducing in-room walking noise by up to 67%* and lowering sound transmission to the floor below by up to 16 dB / 21 ΔIIC**, thereby enhancing overall home comfort.
The brand's commitment to healthier indoor environments is recognised through some of the most demanding international certifications related to Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. These include Blue Angel (DE UZ 176), French VOC Label A+, Finnish M1, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, GREENGUARD, Declare, and Health Product Declaration (HPD), all of which validate the environmental performance of Wicanders products against rigorous independent standards.
This approach is integrated within Amorim Cork Solutions' broader strategy to develop solutions that combine innovation, sustainability and well-being. Through Wicanders, the company continues to invest in flooring solutions that meet the demands of contemporary living, where increasing importance is placed on comfort, environmental performance and the quality of indoor spaces.
*Reduction of in-room walking noise compared to the EPLF (European Producers of Laminate Flooring Association) requirement for RWS (radiated walking sound) of ≤110 sone.
**Maximum sound transmission reduction to the floor below, depending on the selected Wicanders flooring solution.
About Wicanders
Wicanders has a legacy dating back to 1868. It is part of Amorim Cork Solutions, the world’s leading brand for cork-based flooring solutions. With respect for nature as one of its core values, Wicanders has been developing durable and sustainable flooring and wall covering solutions that offer the unique comfort of cork. By combining cutting-edge technology with this unique raw material, we achieve the highest standards of quality in flooring. Available in Cork, Wood, Stone, and Chevron designs, Wicanders cork floors are very comfortable to walk on, providing a naturally quieter and more pleasant environment.