OEM Flooring Sourcing From China: Laminate, SPC, LVT
2 resources tagged with "Flooring"
Flooring sourced from China splits into laminate (HDF core, AC3-AC5 wear ratings) and rigid vinyl (SPC/LVT, with a 0.3-0.5mm wear layer), both gated heavily by formaldehyde-emission compliance. For US-bound product the binding requirement is CARB Phase 2 (TSCA Title VI); for the EU it is E1 plus CE marking. The recurring trap is a factory that quotes AC5 or a thick wear layer on paper but ships a thinner, lower-rated product, so independent thickness and wear-layer verification on arrival matters.
When you source flooring you are buying a compliance document set as much as a product, because the emission certificate (CARB2/E1) and the verified wear layer determine whether it can legally sell and how long it lasts. A common pitfall is trusting the spec sheet without measuring actual wear-layer thickness, which factories sometimes shave to hit a price target.
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FAQ
What is the difference between AC3, AC4, and AC5 ratings?
AC ratings measure abrasion resistance: AC3 suits residential, AC4 light commercial, AC5 heavy commercial. Verify the rating with an independent Taber abrasion test rather than trusting the label, since factories sometimes overstate it.
What emission certification do I need for the US and EU?
The US requires CARB Phase 2 / TSCA Title VI compliance; the EU requires E1 (or stricter E0) formaldehyde class plus CE marking. Ask for current third-party test reports tied to the specific production batch.
How thick should the SPC/LVT wear layer be?
Residential SPC/LVT typically uses a 0.3mm wear layer; commercial use needs 0.5mm or more. Measure incoming goods, since a shaved wear layer is a common cost-cutting substitution that fails early.
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