Get matched with top flooring contractors in Greenwich, NY

You’ll find many of the options we listed at big-box home improvement retailers and department stores, as well as smaller independent floor specialists in your area. Many of these stores offer full-service installation of the products they sell, and others may offer to refer you to a trusted partner for installation.

You can also shop for these products online. We recommend shopping around to compare prices, service offerings, and reviews from previous customers to help make a more informed final decision.

The flooring that is the least toxic is solid wood. Natural linoleum, tile, stone, bamboo, and cork flooring also make the list of least-toxic flooring types. These flooring materials are safer and healthier for your home because they are natural materials that aren’t manufactured with chemicals, unlike laminate flooring. While some laminate flooring brands are made with less formaldehyde, many contain high levels of toxic chemicals that can off-gas in your home for months and years after installation.

Choosing natural flooring materials that are easy to clean without chemical cleansers can also help keep your home safer.

Moso bamboo, Phyllostachys edulis, is the most commonly used species for bamboo flooring. Moso bamboo is native to China and Taiwan, and it was later introduced to Japan and then the United States. In addition to flooring, Moso bamboo is used in textile production, and the shoots are edible. Moso is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, which is why it’s an affordable and sustainable option compared to traditional hardwood.

Whether you install flooring before or after kitchen cabinets depends primarily on the type of flooring you are using. For materials like hardwood, tile, and sheet flooring, the best practice is to install the flooring first. This ensures the cabinets are installed at the correct height and on a stable surface. However, you should not install cabinets on top of floating floors, such as laminate or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These types of flooring need room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Placing heavy cabinets on top can restrict this movement, potentially causing the floor to buckle and making the cabinets unstable. For floating floors, install the cabinets first and then lay the flooring up to them. Other reasons to consider installing cabinets before the flooring include saving money on materials (since you won't need flooring under the cabinets) and avoiding potential damage to your new floor during cabinet installation. Additionally, installing cabinets directly on the subfloor might prevent voiding your flooring's warranty.