In an age when homes are brimming with chemicals, toxic substances, and allergens, more than half of the U.S. population suffers from one or more allergies, a trend not kindled strictly by outside allergens but also allergens residing inside the home. Furthermore, studies show that people testing positive for allergies generally have some form of reaction to three to four allergens. So what is the best flooring for allergies?
When researching your flooring options, you might want to consider eliminating a major source of allergy problems — and, in turn, allowing your family to breathe easier in your home.
Common allergens
Some of the more common allergens and asthma triggers present inside most homes include mold, dust mites, and pet dander. Curbing the tendency for these allergens to settle and bury in your home will improve the air quality while alleviating symptoms like watery eyes, as well as sinus and respiratory problems.
- Dust mites: Microscopic insects that are present in any kind of fabric in the home, one of the most common places being carpet. They often feed on human skin flakes and generally thrive in rooms with temperatures above 70 degrees. While they don’t bite, they are a certainly a respiratory phenomenon.
- Pet dander: The dander shed by your furry little friends can elicit symptoms in susceptible individuals. Allergic reactions can be caused by a number of reasons, including pet urination, salivation, and the biological playthings outside pets bring into the yard.
- Mold: Indoor mold tends to gravitate towards damp and dark environments, and can be especially prevalent in flooring. Carpeting in the basement is a stomping ground for mold, so choosing hardwood or some other hard-surfaced floor could be imperative to your health and well-being.
Carpet in a household of allergy sufferers
For those suffering from allergies (however severe they may be), carpet can be a nightmare, as it is a magnet for dust mites, pet dander, and other common allergies. And when wet, mold will bury in the floor, which if bad enough can pose health concerns for individuals with or without allergies.
In fact, carpet can harbor 100 times more allergens than hard floors. Allergens trapped in carpet are particularly burdensome for families with children, as their immune systems are more susceptible to foreign substances like those found in carpet — not to mention, children spend a lot more time closer to the ground.
At the very least, if someone in your family suffers from allergies, and you prefer that soft feeling of carpet, you might consider using rugs over a hard-surfaced floor. While rugs can still harbor allergens, they are easier to clean and there will be less space to attract harmful irritants.
Allergy-friendly flooring
There are a number of options you can consider to maintain an allergy-friendly lifestyle, like installing flooring such as cork, bamboo, tile, and hardwood. Cork, for instance, is “antimicrobial” that has a naturally occurring substance which weakens the growth of mold, bacteria, and other potentially damaging allergens.
Tile is also an allergy-friendly flooring option, as it can be easily maintained and dust accumulation is easy to detect and cleanse. Tile flooring does not absorb moisture like carpet does, and therefore reduces the risk of mold infestation.
One of the most desired allergy-friendly flooring options is hardwood, and it is an excellent choice for allergy-sensitive families who want to maintain a gorgeous home décor. It’s hard surface is easy to clean, clearing the floor of dust mites and leaving a hair-free surface.
If anyone in your family suffers from allergies, or if you are looking for a floor that can be more easily maintained, we recommend that you consider one of these carpet-alternatives. Just Around the Corner offers a broad array of hard-surfaced floors and we would like to help meet your allergy-friendly needs.
Contact Just Around the Corner to learn more about our allergy-friendly flooring options. Download the coupon below and save!
