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Best Flooring Options For Allergies and Asthma Suffers - Tileswale

By Tileswale

Homeowners and home buyers usually think that a visually appealing flooring will be the best option for permanent use. But seldom do you know that visual appeal or durability are equally important as the allergen- free surface. People who suffer from allergies should search for the right flooring.

The best flooring for asthma sufferers can go a long way in improving the indoor air quality of the space. It will also reduce symptoms of allergies. Even if you are not suffering from asthma or allergies, you should appreciate the antimicrobial qualities of the premium quality flooring materials.

 

How Flooring Affects Allergies and Asthma

One of the top concerns of every homeowner since the pandemic is the daily exposure to the household bacteria. The tension is higher when you have got pets and children in the house. Bringing germs with you from outside is something different than allowing the germs to thrive inside the house.

When you think of the bacteria in your house, the first focus will be on the toilets or the dirty handle of the faucet. Although these spaces will certainly harbor some germs, you won’t realize that the actual colony of microorganisms is breeding right in front of you on the flooring.

The shoes bring in the germs to the floor. But if the flooring retains the bacteria, you and the children will get direct exposure to the microorganisms, which may include deadly infectious diseases. Carpets are the traditional culprits of harboring the germs. So you should look for the best flooring for allergy sufferers that won’t allow the germs to breed further.

 

Things To Keep In Mind When Choosing Flooring For Allergy Or Asthma Patients

There are a few things that you need to keep in mind if you are searching for the right flooring option that will be hypoallergic.

 

Factor #1: Ease of cleaning

One of the first things that you should check is whether it is easy to clean the floor. A wipe with wet mop or dusting should be able to get rid of the dust and dirt particles. But if the flooring allows the germs to seep inside, you cannot clean out the microorganisms.

 

Factor #2: Resistant to moisture

Moisture is the most harmful element in terms of helping the breeding of germs. If the flooring material is prone to water absorption and water damage, you can be certain that then flooring will support the growth of microbial colonies.

  • Look for floorings that are resistant to moisture accumulation or absorption.

  • Water resistance feature is common for all the best floor covering for allergies and asthma patients.
     

Do keep an eye on the moisture content and resistance of the material.

 

Factor #3: Ease of installation

Some flooring materials leave some spaces in between the sub floor and the surface layer owing to improper installation. Complex process of installation can often be the reason of such inaccurate installation.

But if the installation process is easy or you call the best professionals for the installation, you can eliminate the spaces that can become the nest of the microbes.

 

Factor #4: Spill resistant

Home parties and dinner gatherings can lead to spill of drinks on the floor. But if the material is not resistant to these spills and stain, it will become the source of growth of the allergens. Thus, do keep an eye on the spill resistance factor before buying.

 

Best Floorings For Allergy and Asthma Sufferers

If you are determined to buy the best flooring for someone with asthma and allergies, you must consider hardwood flooring as the prime option. The material is immensely popular as according to the National Wood Flooring Association, the material has the least potential of harboring the allergens and the harmful pesticides apart from other microorganisms.

Moreover, mold, dust ad the anima dander will fail to contaminate your indoor air with the wooden floors. So it can significantly improve the quality of indoor air. You cant deny that hardwood is easy to clean and maintain. Sweeping with the static dust mops can be effective for removing the dust particles.

Low presence of VOC is also necessary to ensure that there is minimum or no emission of toxic gases from the floor components that can trigger the asthma attacks. The finishings and additives must contain low amount of VOC to ensure that the flooring remains a healthy option.

 

    1. Hardwood flooring


hardwood flooring

Being the demand of majority, the hardwood floors are available in a wide range of options that include different types of wood, ways of cutting he wood, and ways of assembling the wood.

Typical selections for the hardwood floors include pine, maple, oak, cherry, birch, beech and bamboo. The manufacturers will cut the wood into strips with tongue-in-groove, or planks with tongue-in-groove or wood tile and lay them in geometric patterns.

Flooring experts recommend Hardwood Flooring For Asthma And Allergy Patients because there is minimum chances of mold growth on the surface. As it is easy to clean, dust particles and pet dander also adheres less, thus minimizing allergens.

Pros:

  • Classic appearance

  • Highly durable

  • Ease of cleaning

  • Versatility

  • Reduces allergens

  • Maximum ROI
     

Cons:

  • Very expensive although return is high too

  • Scratches and gouges are visible over the time

  • Moisture damage

  • Starts creaking as you walk around

  • Tough on the pets.
     

Hardwood flooring Pricing:

The hardwood flooring can cost between 650 INR to 5,000 INR per square feet depending on the nature of wood.

 

    2. Tile Flooring


tiles flooring

The tiles can serve as the appropriate flooring material, if you do your little research before making the choice. you can use it in any environment and there is minimum worry about the stains, water, or design. The sturdy nature is ideal for many locations. But you must know the pros and cons.

The hard-fired surface of the ceramic tiles is completely free of allergens. The allergens like dirt, dust, and pollen cannot penetrate the tiles. Instead, you can easily wipe out the allergens from the surface of the tiles as they just adhere to the surface. The Tile Flooring For Asthma And Allergy Sufferers will never harbor the allergens.

Pros:

  • Ease of maintenance

  • Water resistant

  • Tough and highly durable

  • Resistant to cracks

  • Affordable
     

Cons:

  • The flooring does not absorb heat, and so, it can feel much cold during winter.

  • Heavy.Thus, not appropriate for installing in the upper stories.

  • Hard and slippery
     

Floor Tiles Pricing:

The price of the floor tiles will range between 28 INR to 327 INR per square feet.

 

    3. Cork flooring
 

cork flooring

Cork originates from the bark of the cork oak tree. It is a biodegradable and naturally occurring material that is now finding its way into the making of the flooring materials. The manufacturers grind up the cork, compress it, and form the sheets comprising of resin as bonding material to create the flooring material.

Cork flooring is resistant to mold, water, and fungus. As you start looking for the cork for your residential use, always prefer the chemical- free options that are devoid of all the volatile compounds. It minimizes the effect of dangerous and harmful gases that can cause asthma attack if you use the low-VOC glue for installation.

The Cork Flooring For Allergy And Asthma Sufferers has the low-VOC sealant. Suberin present in the cork offers anti-bacterial properties and natural resistance to mold and mildew. Cork will also insulate heat so that you feel warmth on touching the floor with your feet. Although cork is permeable, it prevents the allergens from accumulation or spreading if you do polishing.

Pros:

  • With correct installation and applying multiple layers of quality sealers, minimum maintenance will do.

  • Finishing offers protection from water damage.
     

Cons:

  • Prone to damages from pet scratches

  • Warping and discoloration are common in absence of sealers.

  • Heavy appliances can cause permanent divots.
     

Cork Floor Pricing:

Cork floor tiles or planks usually run from $2 to $12 per square feet. The average market price is 290 INR per sq. ft.

 

      4. Laminate flooring


laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is the ideal instance of composite, synthetic flooring. The base comprises of a fiberboard or plywood core layer. There can be a backing layer below the core layer as an added layer of protection and insulation. The next step is to glue the image of stone, real wood, or another material on top of the core layer.

Addition of a thin and transparent plastic layer competes the process. The flooring is a popular option to achieve the wooden or stone flooring appearance at a much lower cost. It can be cheap and artificial, but it is durable too.

Laminate flooring is available in a variety of textures and designs. You should get Laminate Flooring For Allergy And Asthma Patients as the flawless fitting will eliminate any space for the accumulation of allergens. Also, the upkeep requirements are minimum and the flooring is long- lasting.

Although there was a time when manufacturers used formaldehyde that triggered asthma, modern manufactures have minimized or completely stopped the use of this chemical. But you should always check the certifications regarding the formulation of the flooring material before investing in the same.

Pros:

  • Eco-friendly

  • Durable

  • Affordable
     

Cons:

  • Refinishing is not possible due to composite structure

  • Susceptible to liquid damage
     

Laminate Flooring Pricing:

The average cost to install this type of flooring ranges between $3 to $8 per square foot.

 

    5. Vinyl flooring
 

vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring represents a form of multi-layered synthetic flooring. The constituting materials include fiberglass, plastic, and PVC. The flooring material comes in tiles, planks, and sheets that the flooring professionals will assemble.

The bulk of the floor comprises of the core layer with underlay. Above this, will be the image layer mimicking materials like ceramic and wood. The top player has varying thickness and protects the sublayers from further damage.

In recent years, Vinyl is Best Allergy And Asthma Friendly Flooring Option. It has a tough surface which makes it easier to maintain a dust-free surface. The material never contributes to pollen entrapment.

But you should verify the VOC level as it has petroleum base, which can be a potent source for allergy- inducing fumes. Prefer the high- end models to maintain low or nil VOC content and higher longevity.

Pros:

  • comfortable

  • resilient

  • ease of installation

  • cost-effective
     

Cons:

  • owing to single wear layer, refinishing is not possible

  • replacement is necessary on minimum damages

  • low resale value

  • not eco-friendly
     

Vinyl Flooring Pricing:

Vinyl flooring cam cost from $0.50 per square foot to $5 per sq. ft. when you choose the luxury planks.

 

    6. Natural Stone flooring
 

natural stone flooring

Natural stone flooring is a kind of tile that the manufacturers will cut out directly from the stone blocks. You will find the presence of many mountain- born minerals like granite, marble, travertine, sandstone, and limestone, unlike the other stone products.

Stone flooring has served as an allergy- friendly option apart from being durable, stylish, and exquisite external appearance. The Natural Stone Is Best Asthma And Allergy Friendly Flooring Option owing to the smooth finishing that is hypoallergenic.

Pros:

  • High longevity

  • Good for exterior and interior use

  • Naturally cool

  • Energy-efficient

  • Controls allergens
     

Cons:

  • Can be quite slippery

  • Expensive

  • Lack of insulating properties

  • Susceptible to water damages

  • Requires skilled installation

  • Less cushioning
     

Natural Stone Flooring Pricing:

The average price range will start from 55 INR per sq. ft.

 

    7. Concrete Flooring
 

concrete flooring

No wonder the concrete flooring material offers incredibly hard and strong surface for the residential and commercial places. Neither can you scratch it, nor can you dent the floor. And it is exceptionally good as a fashion statement.

But it is obviously heavy and so, you will need to consult the structural engineers if you are planning to lay the floor in the subfloor instead of the grade. It is necessary for the sub layer to hold the weight.

The surge in the popularity of the concrete flooring material shows that Concrete Floor Is Best Option For Asthma And Allergy Issue. The flooring does not trap the dust mites, allergens and mold mildew that can cause allergies. Also, it won’t allow accumulation of moisture.

Although concrete can generate VOCs, the emission rate is lower than other construction components. Ease of cleaning and the thermal characteristics favor maintaining a clean floor.

Pros:

  • Excellent visual appearance

  • Low maintenance

  • Heated floors

  • Eco-friendly material as natural.
     

Cons:

  • Extremely hard underfoot

  • Moisture migration can happen

  • Cracks may appear with time.
     

Concrete Flooring Pricing:

The average price of the flooring is 48 INR per sq. ft.

 

Worst Allergy and Asthma Friendly Flooring Option

Among the huge range of options that you came to know about from the above discussion, almost all the flooring options are good for people suffering from asthma or allergies. But the bad news is, one flooring option is not a good flooring for someone with asthma and allergies. Any guess? Yes, the carpets.

That does not imply that the carpets are bad. These will be definitely a very cost- effective and beautiful flooring option for your home. However, if your prime focus is in finding the allergy- friendly flooring option, do eliminate the carpets from your list.

 

Carpet flooring

Carpet is as popular a flooring option as hardwood. Homebuyers and the builders of the custom house are opting for the flooring option due to the long list of reasons. If you are weighing your options, then here comes the pros and cons of the carpet flooring.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive

  • Very soft feel underfoot

  • Versatile with endless patterns, styles, designs, and materials

  • Conceals dirt

  • Easier and faster to install
     

Cons:

  • Carpets will undergo visible wear and tear that calls for replacement, sooner than other flooring options.

  • Demands for regular maintenance including professional cleaning and frequent vacuuming.

  • Not good option for kitchens or bathrooms.

  • Periodic replacement is essential.
     

Why Carpet Flooring Is the Worst Option For Asthma  And Allergy Patients?

It is absolutely true that Carpet is Worst Flooring Option For Asthma And Allergy Patients. Of course, you must be wondering why. Most of the microscopic allergens get trapped inside the fabric and stitches of the carpet. Dust, dirt, mites and moisture creates the ideal ambience for the growth of mold.

Superficial cleaning will never help in removing the allergens from the deeper layers of the carpet. The micro organisms can seep through the layers of the fabric and get attached to the fibers. If the padding beneath the carpet is hard, it will be difficult to remove the allergens ever.

Thus, carpets should not be there in your options for flooring if you or some of the family member has asthma and allergies.

 

Conclusion

A healthy flooring material is necessary to ensure maintaining good health of the people residing at your house. It is not enough to have a flooring that will be durable and cost- effective. In the zeal of finding an affordable option, you may end up ignoring the best flooring for asthma and allergies sufferers.

The above article will help you to learn how the right selection can not only improve the aesthetic appearance of the space but turns out to be the health-keeper of the house. Find any of the appropriate options of flooring and you can safeguard the health of the family members for a long time.


Article Updated - July 09, 2022


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