Specifying Sustainable Flooring for Commercial Projects: What Architects Need to Know

A Practical Guide to Balancing Sustainability Credentials with Commercial Performance

Impervia flooring offers architects and specifiers both sustainability and performance in commercial projects by selecting flooring that is VOC-free, certified by standards like FloorScore, and designed for durability and safety.

Flooring is Evolving: Are Your Specifications Keeping Up?

Architects today are under more pressure than ever. It’s no longer enough for commercial buildings to simply look good and function well. Now, they must also support hybrid working patterns, meet strict sustainability targets, and actively promote health and wellbeing.

Flooring plays a bigger role in this shift than many realise. It shapes how spaces perform, how people feel inside them, and how buildings impact the environment over time. Choosing the right flooring is no longer a background decision. It’s a key part of future-proofing your projects.

That’s where Impervia comes in. Designed specifically for the modern world, Impervia flooring is completely VOC-free, formaldehyde-free, and tough enough to handle the demands of busy commercial spaces. Most importantly, it delivers all of this without compromising on sustainability or style.

What “Sustainable Flooring” Really Means Today

Sustainability in commercial architecture isn’t a buzzword. It’s a huge responsibility. And when it comes to flooring, that means going beyond surface-level claims to materials that genuinely support both performance and wellbeing.

So, what should architects be looking for?

• Zero VOCs to protect indoor air quality
• Formaldehyde-free materials to avoid harmful emissions
• Durability that stands the test of time
• Recyclable or low-impact disposal options for reduced waste
• Trusted certifications like FloorScore to back it all up

We deliver on every one of these points. Impervia’s rigid SPC core is built for strength, its soft acoustic layer helps create quieter spaces and waterproofing options for high-traffic environments. Best of all, it achieves all of this without releasing any harmful chemicals into the air.

Smarter Specs: Flooring That Works With Your Building

Flooring is more than a finish. When specified with care, it plays a key role in a building’s overall performance. More architects are now choosing flooring that contributes to both environmental targets and occupant wellbeing.

Here’s what matters:

• Acoustic comfort, especially in open or hybrid work environments
• Low-emission materials that protect indoor air quality
• Transparent data and lifecycle information to support sustainability goals

Using low-slip risk products that meet indoor air quality standards also helps improve safety and accessibility. Some flooring systems now offer usage tracking through integrated sensors, supporting more informed maintenance and future specification decisions.

Impervia is designed to support these priorities from the start, with performance and long-term value built in.

Product Spotlight: What Makes Impervia Different

At Impervia, we design our flooring with one goal in mind: to help architects and specifiers meet the highest standards in commercial performance and sustainability. Our products are built to last, easy to install, and free from harmful chemicals.

Every plank features a rigid SPC core that provides strength under pressure, along with an integrated acoustic layer to support noise reduction in busy or shared environments. The surface is fully waterproof and simple to maintain, making it ideal for everything from office fit-outs to high-spec apartments.

Our 5G-i click installation system reduces the need for adhesives and underlay, cutting waste and speeding up the installation process. We’re proud to say our products are certified by FloorScore®, and support green building frameworks including BREEAM, WELL, and LEED.

Project Highlight: Chelsea Creek, Central London

View the full case study

Chelsea Creek by Berkeley Group is a standout example of how our flooring performs in high-end residential environments. The Cobble Grey Oak herringbone finish brought a clean, sophisticated look across the apartments, including kitchen areas where durability and waterproofing were essential. The acoustic comfort and low-maintenance surface gave the design team the flexibility to specify flooring that supported both form and function.

You can view more of our work and explore the full product range here.

What Your Clients Are Really Asking For

We understand that expectations are changing. Clients are asking more from the materials you specify, and flooring is playing a much bigger role in those conversations. Whether you’re working on a corporate office, a hospitality space or a residential development, the focus is shifting.

Here is what we’re hearing most often:

• Healthier interiors that improve air quality and support wellbeing
• Sustainable materials that contribute to ESG targets
• Products that are built to last without compromising on design
• Flooring that supports inclusive, accessible environments through safe and calming finishes

Impervia flooring is designed to meet these needs in real-world projects. You can specify with confidence, knowing our products perform across every key metric, including indoor air quality, safety, sustainability and style.

We also provide everything you need to support your specification process, from detailed technical data to third-party certifications and case studies.

No guesswork. No unnecessary complexity. Just flooring that works.

How to Make the Right Flooring Choice

Choosing flooring for commercial projects can be complex. Here’s a quick way to keep it simple:

• Zero VOCs
• Formaldehyde-free
• FloorScore® certified
• Durable, waterproof and fit for heavy use
• Recyclable or low-impact at end of life
• Backed by EPDs, test results and real case studies

At Impervia, we give you more than just claims. With full transparency and independently verified data, you can specify with confidence and respond clearly to client and compliance demands.

Ready to Specify Smarter?

Looking for sustainable flooring for commercial projects that meet every standard without cutting corners? Impervia gives you zero VOCs, high durability, and designs that work across sectors and styles.

Our products are trusted by architects, proven in real projects, and backed by the data you need. Explore our sustainable commercial flooring and see how you can specify with confidence.