Which Type Of Flooring Is The Healthiest?

Choosing the right flooring can not only ensure that your home looks stunning, but can also guarantee it is healthy and safe for your family as well. Choosing a healthy flooring type relies on balancing many different factors and weighing up a number of different flooring qualities while also considering the unique needs of your family. Depending on your choice, your flooring can help you keep your home free of allergies, disease, and injuries, whereas the wrong flooring choice can detract from the health, safety and appearance of your environment. Here we look at the pros and cons of several different flooring types, to help you decide which type of flooring is the healthiest.

Carpet

Carpet has long been a favourite flooring for homes, bringing a warm, cozy and soft feel to any space. Carpet can be made in a range of natural fibers that are gentle on your skin and better for you.

Pros: Carpet is soft and easy on the joints; Carpet can reduce injury from falls for kids and the elderly; Carpet can stay relatively free of dust, dirt, and pathogens if regularly cleaned with professional carpet cleaning. Whether you are looking for a Pleasanton Carpet Cleaner, Dublin Carpet Cleaner, Danville Carpet Cleaner, Livermore Carpet Cleaner, or Walnut Creek Carpet Cleaner, there are numerous high quality professionals in the business.

Cons: Carpet quickly and easily absorbs dirt, dust, mildew, bacteria and germs when not regularly professionally cleaned; Particles released from carpet can reduce air quality in a home.

Tiles, Concrete, and Stone

These hard flooring options are easy to keep clean and hygienic, and in many cases, are from natural sources. Choosing the right material and sealing can reduce toxicity and environmental impact.

Pros: Easy to clean with professional tile and grout cleaning; Low dust, dirt and pathogen retention means better indoor air quality.

Cons: Extremely hard on the joints, and no cushioning for falls; Some sealing agents can be toxic or contain VOC’s (volatile organic compounds - which contribute to a number of health issues); Concrete productions releases large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are timelessly elegant and easy to clean and maintain. While more expensive to install initially, hardwood floors are highly desired for their aesthetic and practical properties.

Pros: Oiled floors are healthier than polyurethane; Dust, dirt and pathogen retention is minimal; Professional hardwood floor cleaning can reach deep into cracks to remove old dirt and dust.

Cons: Dirt and dust can build up in cracks and cause allergies without occasional professional hardwood cleaning; Some finishes contain health damaging VOC’s.

Engineered Hardwood Floors / Luxury Vinyl Tiles

These modern flooring varieties provide a cost-effective alternative to hardwood or stone floors. Designed to help preserve natural resources, these flooring varieties can help you access stunning flooring more economically.

Pros: Easy to clean and softer than tile or stone; Finishes can contain natural, anti-allergenic and anti-bacterial properties to keep your home hygienic.

Cons: Some of the layers of this flooring or the finishes can contain VOC’s which contribute to health issues.

Finding the healthiest flooring for your home depends on a number of different factors, and requires you to consider your needs, lifestyle, budget and current health status. By seeing the pros and cons and understanding the maintenance needs of each flooring type, you are better equipped to choose the most healthy flooring for you.