Got kids? Flooring solutions for families with children
If you are thinking about changing your flooring, then there are a number of aspects you need to think about. One of them is the type of flooring you need if you have children.
When it comes to babies and toddlers, you may think that the best flooring solution would be wall-to-wall cotton wool. Toddlers are called ‘toddlers’ for a reason, and hard floors are perhaps not the best solution for them, as they will ended up with bumps and grazes every time they fall over.
Expensive hardwood flooring is not the best option when it comes to children for another reason – your children view your home as a play location. If your hardwood flooring is susceptible to scratching then don’t be deluded – it will get scratched.
If you have very young children, then your best policy might be to wait a handful of years before replacing your tired old flooring. If you cannot wait, or if you have children whom have advanced beyond the toddling stage, then you need to consider what type of flooring might best serve your needs.
If you are insistent on wooden flooring, then go for oak. This provides as decent a level of protection from excessive foot traffic as vinyl and laminate. If oak flooring is too expensive for you to consider, then you might think about a cheaper wooden flooring that will be inexpensive to replace when your children are close to the teenage stage.
If you do have young children, then think about the damage that dropped or dragged toys will do. Also think about the staining potential of drink and food spillages. To this end, laminate or vinyl flooring might be the most appropriate solution for your flooring needs.
Vinyl also scores highly when it come to anti-slippage. Vinyl is resistant to general wear and tear, dents, scratches, staining and discolouration. It is also easy to install, and is available in a range of colours and sizes. Top quality vinyl that mimics wooden or laminate flooring can be expensive, but there are many cost-effective solutions.
Vinyl also scores highly when it comes to health issues. Carpeting can harbour plenty of nasty bugs, especially if you don’t have the time to hoover on a regular basis. These bugs are officially known as ‘volatile organic compounds’ (VOCs) and are linked to many kinds of childhood ailments, including respiratory illnesses, headaches and dizziness. Vinyl is resistant to the harbouring of VOCs.
There is one thing, however, that you need to be careful of if you plump for vinyl – be aware that some types of vinyl flooring have high levels of lead and phthalate – exposure to these elements can cause adverse effects to your children’s health. Make sure that any vinyl flooring has been passed as being child-freindly.
If you desire to have beautiful flooring within your home, then don’t think your choices are hugely limited just because you have children. If you understand all that you need to consider, then you’ll be able to bless your home with flooring that is both attractive and practical.
If you are considering new flooring for your home or commercial space then please call us on 020 8249 9726 or click here to complete the contact form and we will be in contact within 24 hours.