Tile is fired at very high temperatures, usually in excess of 2,000°F. At such high temperatures, any organics that might be present in clays or binders are completely burned away. As a result, the final product is inert and has no VOCs that can be emitted.

Due to its VOC-free nature, ceramic and porcelain tile products are exempt from all testing criteria outlined in LEED® IEQ Credit 4.3 (1 point).

On April 14, 2010, USGBC issued an addendum to LEED® IEQ Credit 4.3. It states, "Mineral-based finished flooring products such as tile, masonry, terrazzo, and cut stone without integral organic-based coatings and sealants … qualify for credit without any IAQ testing requirements."

Select tile as your hard surface floor covering, and rest assured that you will have a VOC-free floor eligible for contribution to this LEED® credit.

For a complete copy of the addenda, click here.

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