What It Really Means to Build Better Floors
At Metropolitan, Good Foundations isn’t a marketing slogan, it’s a philosophy that guides every decision we make. It means holding ourselves to the highest standards in quality, health, environmental responsibility, and human rights, across every step of the supply chain. From rigorous product testing to industry leadership in compliance and social responsibility, Good Foundations ensures that our flooring isn’t just beautiful, it’s trustworthy, traceable, and built to last.
Obsessed with Quality
Engineered for Performance, Verified for Peace of Mind
Every Metropolitan floor is backed by one of the most thorough quality assurance programs in the industry. Our hardwood flooring goes through dozens of documented quality control checks, from raw material selection to final inspection. At each manufacturing facility, dedicated QC staff monitor performance, durability, and appearance, while third-party laboratories independently validate results against internationally recognized benchmarks. The outcome: floors that meet or exceed expectations, every time.
Deep Expertise, Real Support
A Team with Decades of Experience
Metropolitan’s Technical Services team is made up of seasoned flooring specialists, many with decades of hands-on installation and product experience. Our Sales Representatives are also certified by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), so whether you're specifying, installing, or maintaining a product, you’re supported by people who know the details inside and out.
Leaders in Compliance
Setting the Standard, Not Just Meeting It
Good Foundations is driven by leadership, not just in our company, but in the industry at large. Headed by our full-time Environmental Compliance Officer (ECO) and her team, Metropolitan brings more than 25 years of global wood sourcing expertise to the development of better practices around the world. We work alongside government agencies, industry associations (including NWFA, IWPA, and others), and our own supply chain partners to advocate for smarter oversight, stronger regulations, and ongoing education.
Today, over 30% of our staff are directly involved in compliance and supply chain oversight, and training is continuous, for employees, suppliers, and partners alike. Whether it’s setting environmental goals or ensuring ethical sourcing, we don’t just comply, we help define what compliance should look like.
Indoor Air Quality: Going Beyond the Standard
Good Foundations demands that every Metropolitan floor supports healthier spaces, and we hold ourselves accountable through some of the strictest testing protocols in the world.
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All our flooring is tested to CA Section 01350, a comprehensive VOC emissions standard used by LEED and other green building programs.
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CA 01350 doesn’t just look at formaldehyde; it evaluates a wide range of potentially harmful VOCs across the full, finished product.
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We also certify the vast majority of our products to GREENGUARD Gold, a UL program that includes CA 01350 compliance, but with even stricter limits on total emissions and individual VOC thresholds.
Together, these standards go far beyond what’s required by CARB, TSCA Title VI, or CANFER, proving that Metropolitan products are held to a higher bar, regardless of their core material or where they’re sold.
Respect for People, Not Just Product
Social Responsibility Built Into the Supply Chain
Good Foundations also extends to how and where our products are made. We only work with facilities that meet our strict criteria for human rights, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices.
In line with the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, which took effect in Canada in January 2024, we’ve published a full transparency report outlining our approach and actions to prevent labor abuses in our operations and supplier networks.
We’ve always believed that better products come from better practices. With Good Foundations, we’re making sure that principle is true, in every dimension.