Alterna 8" x 16" Luxury Vinyl Tile vs Ben Vorlich Tartan Axminster Carpet | Wool Plaid: which is safer?
Ben Vorlich Tartan Axminster Carpet | Wool Plaid is the clear pick. Armstrong Alterna 8" x 16" Luxury Vinyl Tile carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Armstrong
Alterna 8" x 16" Luxury Vinyl Tile
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePhthalates and other plasticizers
ReportedVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) during and after installation
PossibleCoating or surface degradation over time
Our pick
Axminster
Ben Vorlich Tartan Axminster Carpet | Wool Plaid
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFormaldehyde and VOC off-gassing
PossibleAzo dyes and heavy metals in colorants
ReportedDust and dust mite allergens
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Phthalates and other plasticizers, Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during and after installation, Coating or surface degradation over time and Installation adhesive hazards on the Armstrong and not on the Axminster.
- We flag Formaldehyde and VOC off-gassing, Azo dyes and heavy metals in colorants, Dust and dust mite allergens and Moth and insect infestation risk on the Axminster and not on the Armstrong.
- The Armstrong is Luxury vinyl tile (PVC-based) where the Axminster is wool plaid, Axminster weave, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- We are less certain about the Armstrong grade, at 35% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More carpets & rugs: see the full ranking