Why it’s Crucial to Buy Closet Materials from a Reputable Manufacturer

In March 2015, an episode of 60 Minutes hosted by Anderson Cooper uncovered excessive formaldehyde levels in laminate flooring from popular manufacture Lumber Liquidators. The particle board used for the laminate flooring failed to meet U.S. industry standards. Although Lumber Liquidators is a U.S. company, its particle boards and laminate flooring are made in China, where it did not uphold the industry and safety standards that we expect in the U.S and by California Air Resource Board (CARB) for formaldehyde levels.

The result? Thousands of customers were exposed to potentially dangerous materials in their homes --- putting themselves and their children at risk.

Watch a follow up to the 60 Minutes episode here:

Formaldehyde in Flooring

Formaldehyde is traditionally used as an embalming chemical to preserve human tissue cells in the funeral industry. But it's also widely inserted into materials for furniture and flooring. Formaldehyde is combined with other chemicals and used as a polymer to create permanent adhesives for flooring, plywood and carpeting.

After extensive testing of the already sold and installed flooring, Lumber Liquidators lost the class action lawsuit and was forced to replace flooring in homes around the nation.

Health Effects from Formaldehyde

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Flooring and Furniture Connection

The particle boards in laminate flooring are the same particle boards widely used in household furniture, including closets and cabinets.

Companies We Trust

Closet Butler is dedicated to using safe and sustainable particle boards in all cabinetry that we build. We do this by using companies we trust for our particle boards and decorative panels.

For Decorative Panels, Particle Boards, and High-Pressure Laminates that go into all of our closets and your home, Closet Butler uses the widely awarded company, Tafisa Canada. Tafisa is a particle board manufacturer dedicated to sustainability and health standards.

We encourage you to buy with care and take it upon yourself to do research when choosing your furniture and material manufacturers. We are more than happy to share our knowledge with you to ensure you and your family are getting safe and environmentally-friendly materials installed in your home.