Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Concrete flooring is one the best options for flooring when we think from our health perspective. They are highly durable, versatile, sustainable, weather proof and economical. They have been found to refine the air, making it more breathable by reducing toxins.
Generally speaking, floors with a nontoxic seal or finish have the lowest VOC levels. These include solid hardwood floors, polished concrete, and tile. Keep in mind that every flooring option comes with a lot of variety. Take the time to consider the different materials and finishes available to you.
Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber, which makes it a healthy flooring option.
Hard-surface flooring materials that are non-absorptive, chemical resistant, and monolithic, such as resinous flooring, are the most hygienic flooring options. Resinous flooring consists of a solid and impermeable surface.
Good choices are linoleum, ceramic tile–both very common–and wood. Linoleum is inexpensive and provides an easy-to-clean surface and comes in countless designs. Ceramic tiles are even better.
So, what flooring looks cleanest? Typically, lighter color woods show less dirt and dust. Dark floors can easily show dust, while lighter floors mask it. Similarly, matte floors show less smudges, foot and paw prints than high gloss flooring.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Laminate flooring is healthier than carpet in terms of being considered as being more hygienic and hypoallergenic than carpet. This means that if you are often prone to many sorts of allergens such as dust or pollen, laminate flooring would be the wiser choice.
Rubber Flooring Is Number One
The cushioning and installation that rubber flooring offers also make it a warmer surface, which helps keep seniors more comfortable.
When it comes to environmental impact, laminate has a slight edge over vinyl thanks to its recycled wood core. However, the melamine wear layer on the surface is still made of plastic, which may off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be harmful to people and pets.
While high concentrations of formaldehyde can be hazardous, the minimal amounts released by (high quality) bamboo floors are not present at levels that pose a toxic risk.
In recent years, vinyl flooring has become a popular and inexpensive way for homeowners and landlords to give their floors a fresh look. The problem, though, is that your vinyl floors could be giving off harmful chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
When you analyze and compare all living conditions in today's world, carpet actually makes a healthier home or facility. You don't have the dust load in the air as you do with hard floors – all things being equal, of course, and cleaned accordingly. Dust mites and pet dander are often blamed for allergic reactions.
To sum it up – carpet, engineered hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring are all great options to install over a concrete substrate that can last for years when properly maintained.
The good news is that you can find non-toxic laminate flooring by purchasing products that are GreenGuard Certified and that contain less than a certain amount of VOCs.
Off-gassing can also increase when relative humidity (RH) levels climb above 50 percent. Although levels of formaldehyde emissions from products like laminate flooring decrease over time, significant off-gassing may continue for months and even years.
For busy homes with kids and pets, laminate flooring will look good and remain damage-free for years. Because of its longevity and durability, laminate flooring is also more economical than carpet. You need to replace a carpet frequently to keep it looking good.
'Whether you opt for hardwood, tiles, or cork flooring to replace your carpet, rugs are a great way to go to offer comfort underfoot,' says Therese. 'Your floor is as much a canvas for creativity as your walls, and because rugs are so much more versatile than carpet, they give you a chance to be bold.
Some of the most common types of chemical-resistant flooring systems include vinyl, epoxy, and polyurethane.
Formaldehyde exposure may potentially cause a variety of symptoms and adverse health effects, such as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde has been associated with cancer in humans and laboratory animals.
Vinyl is inexpensive, long-lasting flooring. But it often contains phthalates, chemicals that have raised safety concerns for young children.
Finally, given the tone of light floors, they tend to appear cleaner longer. Light-colored flooring often shows less dust, debris than do dark floors and pesky, inevitable scratches and damage will be less obvious.
Hardwood Flooring
what's better than hardwood flooring? It's beautiful, it's durable, and it never goes out of style. Not to mention all of your friends, family, and neighbors aspire to have it, so you'll have your entire network envying your home's flooring design.