Fantastic Floors
If you or your kids have allergies or asthma, selecting the best type of flooring can have a big impact on the air quality, as many allergens can collect and get trapped in the floors. Often, the flooring can be the biggest source of allergens.
Reasons to avoid carpets if you have allergies
Allergy sufferers should avoid the deep pile of most carpets as these tend to hold allergens from dust mites, mold, pollen, pet dander, as well as dirt. Carpeting can also retain moisture, which encourages the growth of mold and mildew.
Some dispute the negative relationship of carpeting to allergies, but there is no doubt that it holds more dust, dirt and moisture than any other kind of flooring, making it an ideal environment for dust mites.
If you have carpet, or area rugs (or are required to have carpet), low pile (including looped carpets) are better options and so are natural fiber carpets such as wool or sisal. And, if you do have carpet, vacuum frequently. There are also hypoallergenic and low VOC carpet padding which tend to be better for allergies or asthma. But, hardwood or cork (or other hard surfaces) are generally much better options.
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for those with asthma or allergies since it’s easy to clean and maintain. It’s the preferred flooring surface for homes in Westchester County and the East Coast. Unlike carpet, hardwood doesn’t trap allergens nor does it provide an environment for them to grow.
Cork flooring
Cork floors are a wonderful alternative to hardwood. They are inherently mold and mildew resistant due to the antimicrobial presence of suberin. This naturally occurring substance inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria and other allergens. Cork also helps insulate heat, so they are warm on your feet and they are cozy on your feet. The hard surface make cork flooring good for allergies it easy to clean with a dust mop (ideally a swiffer). Even though cork is porous, the finish prevents allergens from collecting and growing.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
Stone, porcelain and ceramic tiles are also great choices for allergy-free flooring, but the more rough the stone surface, the more dirt they will hold.
Linoleum
Linoleum is also a natural product that also is a good option for those with allergies or asthma. It’s easy to clean and holds up well to water. Unlike vinyl, which is petroleum based, linoleum is made with linseed oil and it’s eco-friendly.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring may or may not be a good choice for those with allergies – it can depend on the manufacturer and the grade of product. Laminate uses recycled hardwood and the product is manufactured by gluing together layers of wood composite. The adhesives used in the process may contain formaldehyde as well as other dangerous VOCs, and these can trigger other allergies – sometimes immediately, and other times over time. Always check the product to see the formaldehyde rating (E1 or E0 are the best choices). Nonetheless, laminate provides a hard surface that is easy to clean and like hardwood, it doesn’t harbor dust or dander.
Vinyl
Similar to cork flooring, some high-end vinyl floors (often called luxury vinyl) can offer the advantages of a hard surface – easy to clean, no pockets for moisture – and many have an antibacterial agent built into them. However, especially when it comes to vinyl, you “get what you pay for,” and lower end vinyl flooring is often manufactured with VOC’s which create emissions and hence an allergen risk or other breathing challenges.
Source: theflooringgirl
About Fantastic Floors, Inc. We are a successful company with more than 25 years of experience in the market, we have the infrastructure, high quality equipment, materials and supplies to achieve and exceed the expectations of our customers, allowing us to gain the confidence and loyalty for our services.
We have more than 500 residential, 300 properties and 25 commercial customers totally satisfied with our services.
Fantastic Floors.
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