As a part of the foundation and the most used surface of your home, you’d only want the best materials for your flooring. Especially if you have kids that are going to run around the house, you don’t want them slipping and causing accidents. Installing an expensive type of material is also not a good idea since kids can get a little messy and might ruin your precious flooring. What you want should be both kid-friendly and kid-proof. We have listed down top flooring options you can choose from, that will surely pass your parental standards.
Concrete Flooring
If we’re talking about cost-efficiency and durability, then concrete flooring such as the epoxy floor can be a top contender. With its smooth surface, babies won’t be having a hard time crawling on it. Concrete epoxy flooring is also effortless to clean, so you do not have to worry with spilled milk and baby food Although it gets slippery when wet, slip-resistance treatment can be done on it to make it safer for all the kids running around. As always, whatever flooring you have, proper precautions are needed to create a secure and safe home for your family.
Carpeting
Out of all the flooring choices available in the market, carpet flooring is the safest choice for your family. It provides maximum comfort under the feet, especially to babies who have just started crawling and at the same time, it prevents them from slipping. If your kids still have scheduled naps, placing carpets in their room is a good option. Walking on carpeted floors doesn’t create any noise, so you do not have to worry about accidentally waking them up. This type of flooring also acts as an insulator which helps in keeping the room warm. If properly maintained, carpet flooring can last long.
Even though it seems like carpeting is the perfect child-friendly choice, it has its downsides. First of all, it’s quite hard to clean. It also requires constant cleaning since it quickly accumulates dust and dirt. Moreover, most carpets contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be dangerous to your child’s health. If you’re set in getting carpet flooring, make sure that you’ll find those with low levels of VOCs.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is best for families who are in a tight budget but still wants to have that clean and sleek finish. This type of flooring is also comfortable and safe for kids. Furthermore, laminated floors are so convenient to clean. If your child accidentally spilt on some juice or paint, you can easily wipe it off with a mop or rag. However, you should know that they can get a bit slippery when wet and also contains VOC emissions just like the carpets.
Hardwood Flooring
Because of its durability, hardwood flooring can last a lifetime. Unlike carpet and laminate, wood doesn’t contain VOCs and is non-toxic, which means it is safer in regards to your family’s health. It is also the easiest to clean out of all the flooring materials. However, the surface of wood flooring can get easily scratched, and because it is a harder material, without a carpet, kids can get hurt when they accidentally fall.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, has a softer surface than hardwood - making it a bit safer. It can also withstand any stress or pressure because of its durability and can be easily maintained. However, vinyl is a processed material which means it may contain and release toxins in the atmosphere.
Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is best for the indoor play area because it probably has all the qualities that you need to ensure your kid’s safety. It is made up of soft but durable material that is why it’s highly recommended for kid’s use. The downside of rubber flooring is if it’s not correctly maintained, it may not last long since it’s always subjected to a high amount of stress and pressure with all the running around and playing. Rubber, as a natural material, isn’t toxic; however, it has a particular odor that some kids are sensitive to.
