GREENGUARD vs GREENGUARD Gold | What’s the Difference?

Lexi Westingate | Blinds Chalet Design Team

Updated: May 22 2026

GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold are indoor air quality certifications designed to identify products with low chemical emissions. Many homeowners researching healthier home products want to understand the difference between these two certifications and what they mean for indoor environments.

Both certifications focus on reducing exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but GREENGUARD Gold uses stricter testing standards and lower allowable emission levels.

Learn more about our GREENGUARD Certified Window Treatments.

What Is GREENGUARD Certification?

GREENGUARD certification is a third-party testing program that evaluates products for low chemical emissions and indoor air quality performance. Products that earn GREENGUARD certification are tested for VOC emissions and other airborne chemicals.

The goal of GREENGUARD certification is to help support healthier indoor environments by identifying products with reduced emissions.

What Is GREENGUARD Gold Certification?

GREENGUARD Gold certification uses more stringent emission standards than standard GREENGUARD certification. GREENGUARD Gold was developed for environments where children, older adults, and sensitive individuals may spend significant time.

GREENGUARD Gold certified products are commonly used in schools, healthcare facilities, nurseries, bedrooms, and homes focused on healthier indoor air quality.

Key Differences Between GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold

Feature	GREENGUARD	GREENGUARD Gold
VOC Emission Testing	Yes	Yes
Emission Standards	Strict	More Strict
Sensitive Environment Focus	General indoor spaces	Schools, healthcare, homes
Chemical Exposure Limits	Lower emissions	Even lower emissions
Third-Party Certification	Yes	Yes

Why GREENGUARD Gold Matters

GREENGUARD Gold certification is often preferred for spaces where indoor air quality is especially important. This includes bedrooms, nurseries, living spaces, and environments where children or sensitive individuals may be present.

The stricter standards help limit exposure to a wider range of chemical emissions.

What Are VOCs?

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are airborne chemicals that may be released from certain manufactured materials, finishes, adhesives, and fabrics. VOC emissions can contribute to indoor air pollution.

Products tested under GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold certification programs are evaluated for these emissions.

Products That May Carry GREENGUARD Certifications

GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold certifications are commonly used for products such as:

Window blinds and shades

Furniture

Flooring

Paints and coatings

Building materials

GREENGUARD Certifications and Window Treatments

Many homeowners choose GREENGUARD certified window treatments to help support healthier indoor air quality. Some blinds and shades are available with GREENGUARD or GREENGUARD Gold certified materials and fabrics.

Explore: Best GREENGUARD Certified Window Shades

Explore: Best GREENGUARD Certified Window Blinds

Should You Choose GREENGUARD Gold?

GREENGUARD Gold may be a good choice for homeowners who prioritize:

Healthier indoor air quality

Low VOC environments

Nurseries and bedrooms

Homes with children or sensitive individuals

Healthy-home design goals

Explore More Healthy Home Window Treatment Guides

GREENGUARD Certified Window Coverings

Window Shades witht the lowest Low VOCs

Non Toxic Window Coverings

Best Window Treatments Against Allergies

Final Thoughts

GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold certifications both focus on reducing indoor chemical emissions and supporting healthier indoor air quality. GREENGUARD Gold uses stricter testing standards and lower emission limits, making it a popular choice for homes and spaces where indoor air quality is especially important.

Understanding the difference between these certifications can help homeowners make more informed decisions when selecting products for healthier living environments.

GREENGUARD vs GREENGUARD Gold FAQs

What is the difference between GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold?

GREENGUARD Gold uses stricter chemical emission standards and lower VOC limits than standard GREENGUARD certification.

Is GREENGUARD Gold better than GREENGUARD?

GREENGUARD Gold uses more stringent testing standards, making it especially suitable for sensitive environments such as bedrooms, schools, and healthcare spaces.

What does GREENGUARD Gold certified mean?

GREENGUARD Gold certified products meet stricter low-emission standards designed to support healthier indoor air quality.

Are GREENGUARD certified window treatments low VOC?

Many GREENGUARD certified window treatments are tested for low VOC emissions and healthier indoor air quality performance.

Details	Standard	Guaranteed to Last	Guaranteed to Love
Pricing	FREE	$	$$
Warranty Duration
3 year limited warranty	✓	✓	✓
5 year limited warranty		✓	✓
Warranty Coverage
Defects	✓	✓	✓
Parts	✓	✓	✓
30 Day Returns(in-store credit)			✓

Details

Standard

Guaranteed to Last

Guaranteed to Love

Pricing

FREE

Warranty Duration

3 year limited warranty

✓

5 year limited warranty

✓

Warranty Coverage

Defects

✓

Parts

✓

30 Day Returns(in-store credit)

✓

Guarantee
What Is Covered Our window coverings are covered against manufacturing defects in materials or craftsmanship when used as intended, provided that: The product has been correctly measured, installed, and operated. All Blinds Chalet guidelines regarding product limitations, maintenance, and care have been followed. Who Is Eligible This warranty applies solely to the original purchaser of the product and is non-transferable. Blinds Chalet’s Responsibility If a covered defect is confirmed, Blinds Chalet will, at its discretion, repair the product, replace affected parts, or provide a comparable replacement. Costs not included: The customer is responsible for expenses related to shipping as well as any measuring, installation, removal, or reinstallation services. Labor charges, service visits, and similar costs are not covered by this warranty. What Is Not Covered Damage resulting from accidents, alterations, misuse, abuse, or neglect. Improper measurement, installation, cleaning, or maintenance. Normal wear and tear, including fading, discoloration, or deterioration from sunlight or moisture. Frayed cords, cord breakage, or reduced cord performance due to age or heavy use. Fading and normal aging of materials are expected characteristics and are not considered defects. Warranty Limitations This warranty is exclusive and replaces any other expressed or implied warranties. No Blinds Chalet employee or representative is authorized to modify or extend these terms. Blinds Chalet will not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from product use or failure. How to Request Service Blinds Chalet Customer Care [email protected] (480) 470-1127 Please include: Original proof of purchase, which can be your order number or purchase confirmation email A brief description of the issue The location of the window covering and clear photos or video of the issue Resolution on Warranties and Guarantees BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective. Limit 1 remake per covered product. If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired. In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade. Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer. If a product or component has been discontinued, Blinds Chalet will repair or replace the affected part with the closest available match in design and color.

Guarantee

What Is Covered

Our window coverings are covered against manufacturing defects in materials or craftsmanship when used as intended, provided that:

The product has been correctly measured, installed, and operated.
All Blinds Chalet guidelines regarding product limitations, maintenance, and care have been followed.

Who Is Eligible

This warranty applies solely to the original purchaser of the product and is non-transferable.

Blinds Chalet’s Responsibility

If a covered defect is confirmed, Blinds Chalet will, at its discretion, repair the product, replace affected parts, or provide a comparable replacement.

Costs not included: The customer is responsible for expenses related to shipping as well as any measuring, installation, removal, or reinstallation services. Labor charges, service visits, and similar costs are not covered by this warranty.

What Is Not Covered

Damage resulting from accidents, alterations, misuse, abuse, or neglect.
Improper measurement, installation, cleaning, or maintenance.
Normal wear and tear, including fading, discoloration, or deterioration from sunlight or moisture.
Frayed cords, cord breakage, or reduced cord performance due to age or heavy use.

Fading and normal aging of materials are expected characteristics and are not considered defects.

Warranty Limitations

This warranty is exclusive and replaces any other expressed or implied warranties. No Blinds Chalet employee or representative is authorized to modify or extend these terms.

Blinds Chalet will not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from product use or failure.

How to Request Service

Blinds Chalet Customer Care
[email protected]
(480) 470-1127

Please include:

Original proof of purchase, which can be your order number or purchase confirmation email
A brief description of the issue
The location of the window covering and clear photos or video of the issue

Resolution on Warranties and Guarantees

BlindsChalet.com reserves, at its discretion, the right to repair, replace or refund any blinds found defective. Limit 1 remake per covered product.
If there are multiple blinds/shades in the same room, only the defective product will be replaced/repaired.
In the event that a product, color or product feature has been discontinued and it is no longer available we will provide a substitute product as similar as possible to the original blind or shade.
Shipping for warranty issues is the responsibility of the customer to and from the repair facility. Packaging on return shipments is the responsibility of the customer.
If a product or component has been discontinued, Blinds Chalet will repair or replace the affected part with the closest available match in design and color.

5 Year Guaranteed to Last
Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years.

5 Year Guaranteed to Last

Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years.

5 Year Guaranteed to Love
Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years. 30 Day Returns If for any reason you are not satisfied with the window coverings and wish to return them for store credit, please notify us within 30 days of receiving the order. Our customer care department will provide a Return Goods Authorization number (RGA) and shipping address for the return. Please note, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer and shipping labels are not provided. Returns are for store credit only and store credit will be available immediately after the items are received (Guaranteed to Love fee is not credited).

5 Year Guaranteed to Love

Standard limited warranty extended from 3 to 5 years.
30 Day Returns
If for any reason you are not satisfied with the window coverings and wish to return them for store credit, please notify us within 30 days of receiving the order. Our customer care department will provide a Return Goods Authorization number (RGA) and shipping address for the return. Please note, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer and shipping labels are not provided. Returns are for store credit only and store credit will be available immediately after the items are received (Guaranteed to Love fee is not credited).