Floors take a lot of work, especially when they are in the area of your typical toddling disaster zone. Choosing durable, kid-friendly flooring is always a smart idea, whether you’re planning a nursery or remodeling the family house.
Not sure where to begin? Power comes from knowledge! Before you hand over your credit card, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these five popular nursery-flooring alternatives.
Carpet
Carpeting, which is soft, comfy, and forgiving, may shield your shaky baby from bumps and bruises, making it appear to be the natural choice for your new nursery. But be cautious before you buy. Wall-to-wall carpeting is difficult to clean and may rapidly become a breeding ground for dust mites, mold and mildew, making it unsuitable for anyone with allergies or asthma. Furthermore, new carpets, particularly those made of synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester, can contain VOCs and other hazardous substances that might make your child unwell.
You’re not alone if you can’t envision your nursery without soft, comfortable carpeting. Carpeting is preferred by many individuals, and there is nothing wrong with it. To give your kid a healthy start, search for carpeting made of natural, VOC-free materials like wool, cotton, sisal or jute, which will protect your infant from most, if not all, of the pollutants found in cheaper, synthetic carpeting.
If natural-fiber carpeting is out of your price range, consider modern low-VOC synthetic carpeting, which is less expensive than natural fiber options. Whatever you decide, make sure to put your carpet well ahead of the arrival of your tiny rug-rollers, giving it plenty of time to air out.
Hardwood with Rug
If you reside in a milder environment, hardwood is the most popular form of flooring for your home. It’s fashionable, timeless, highly durable (it may last 100 years or more), exceedingly easy to clean and suitable for allergy sufferers. Furthermore, hardwood increases the value of your property. Indeed, hardwood flooring is commonly seen in many homes, particularly in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. So you may as well make use of that asset.
However, hardwood is not always the ideal option for a baby due to its hardness (as the name implies). Of course, if your home is older, the flooring may groan from time to time. (And trust me, you’ll notice it more during those late-night feedings.) So, while we adore hardwood floors, we would strongly advise you to get an area rug to go on top of them.
The area rug will keep you and your baby safer and more comfortable. Depending on the size and style of the space, you can buy a large or little one. Area rugs may enhance the look and feel of a room. But, more crucially, they provide a soft surface for sitting and walking (as well as keeping the space warmer and quieter). If you plan on installing wood floors but do not have anything picked out yet, we recommend checking out our product catalog.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is a low-cost, easy-to-install alternative to hardwood or tile flooring, ranging from $1 to $3 per square foot. Laminate is a good choice for a nursery or playroom since it is fairly robust, scratch-resistant and simple to clean, providing parents choose newly available low or zero-emission laminate alternatives.
Most laminate goods emit harmful fumes and should be avoided since they are made from pressed fiber or wood particles and are generally treated with formaldehyde and other chemical poisons. If you can’t locate low- or zero-emission laminate flooring, you may go with natural linoleum. Natural linoleum’s components are organic, renewable and biodegradable, as well as VOC-free. If you want to check out laminate options, download our product catalog.
Cork
Cork, which is naturally anti-allergenic and anti-microbial, is another fantastic alternative for children’s bedrooms. Cork flooring, which is warmer and softer than wood flooring, provides a comfortable, secure play surface for your child, cushioning their falls and eventually their footsteps—a quality you’ll love as your child develops.
Cork is an excellent alternative for parents seeking environmentally friendly flooring options. Cork is extracted from the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark, which is taken without causing harm to the tree, regenerates in 3 to 4 years, making the method very sustainable. Organic cork does not create dangerous VOCs and is also energy-efficient, making it a great house insulation material.
If you’ve never seen a cork floor before, you might be wondering how this soft, spongy substance could withstand a kid, but cork is far more resilient than you might expect. While cork is more prone to scuffing than harder materials such as bamboo, it is fairly durable, lasting up to 15 years. Expect to pay between $5 and $8 per square foot.
Bamboo
Bamboo, which is popular among eco-conscious people, is a robust, durable and significantly less expensive alternative to hardwood. In fact, at roughly $5 to $7 per square foot, bamboo may be one of the most affordable green flooring solutions available.
Bamboo is an excellent renewable resource, maturing in 5 to 7 years. It is naturally pest-resistant and requires no harmful pesticides, resulting in a 100% organic product. It is also quite adaptable. Bamboo fibers can be spun into the softest cloth, yet it is tougher, more scratch-resistant, and less prone to warping than hardwood as a flooring material. In other words, it can withstand everything your toddler can throw out. Furthermore, depending on how the material is treated, the appearance and color of bamboo flooring can vary greatly, making it a wonderful choice for any environment.
As you can see, there are various flooring alternatives for babies and toddlers that are safe, pleasant, and useful. Your decision will be influenced by where you reside, what you presently have on your flooring and your budget. If you choose a hard surface for your base, be sure to get a soft area rug and/or soft foam rubber tiles for softness, safety and to preserve your hardwood flooring. You do not have to find or install these flooring choices on your own. Instead, Valor Home Services is happy to help! We have been in the flooring industry for over 25 years and know all the ins and outs. If you’re ready to get your kiddo’s room ready, give us a call today.
