About 65 million people in the world use a wheelchair. This assisted living device helps people with many different illnesses, diseases, disabilities and more. With millions of people using wheelchairs, they still come across some issues like the lack of wheelchair accessibility (ramps, elevators, etc.) and damages flooring can concur while someone wheels over it. In this article, we will be diving into the best types of flooring for wheelchairs, but as a heads up, we can build accessible ramps for any wheelchair-bound individuals’ homes or businesses.
Hardwood
First and foremost, wheelchairs need solid, durable surfaces. And, hardwood flooring is exactly that. People have been using hardwood flooring for hundreds of years, so it makes sense that it is one of the options that fall on our list. Hardwood gives wheelchairs enough traction for the wheels to easily move. However, always clean your wheels before entering your home. Dirt on wheels can cause scratches and wear on these floors. Another note to remember is that the harder the floors are, the more it can handle. That is why you should avoid softwood like pine or cork. Instead, stick to harder woods like cherry, maple or oak.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is a great option for homes or businesses that have wheelchairs. It is easy to clean and maintain and is durable. Unpolished ceramic with grout lines make the best ceramic flooring for wheelchairs because it gives the wheels extra grip and traction, so it moves easier. If you go with ceramic tile, it is important to know that you will want to stick with tile that is 2 inches square. Ceramic tile is prone to crack and break under high amounts of pressure the bigger the piece is. Smaller pieces can hold more weight and last longer amounts of time.
Laminate
Do you want a flooring that goes through multiple durability tests before being released? Then, you need to check out laminate flooring. The European Producers of Laminate Flooring created an Abrasion Rating System (AC Rating) that goes through rigorous tests to see how much this flooring can handle. Some of the tests included in the AC Rating are burn resistance, impact resistance, stain resistance and swelling under moist conditions. The higher the AC Rating is, the more durable the flooring is. While looking through your laminate options, check out this rating score. For wheelchair users, you want to go with a rating like AC3/31 Moderate Commercial or higher.
Luxury Vinyl
Have durability and water resistance all in one with luxury vinyl flooring. For slip resistance, we recommend going with inlaid vinyl sheets and tile over sheet vinyl flooring. This flooring type is also easy to replace, so you do not have to worry about replacing the floor in the entire room if only one section incurs damage. You also cannot forget about how easy it is to clean luxury vinyl. So anytime you make black scuff marks, you can easily clean them without having to add too much force or exertion.
We want everyone to feel comfortable in their home or workplace. That is why Valor Home Services is always ready to help you find the right types of floors for your needs. For more information, please shoot us a call or message today.
