While you are considering many types of materials for your home renovation, one thing to consider is how different flooring options affect indoor air quality. Your choices could have a significant impact on the health of everyone who spends time in your home. This is above and beyond anyone who is immunocompromised or already has respiratory problems. Here are some things to consider when choosing flooring options for your home.
Carpeting
One issue with carpeting, depending on the type, is that it can trap dust, allergens, crumbs, and other particles that can cause breathing issues for those who use the room. There are hypoallergenic options for your carpeting. One such material for carpeting is wool. Wool carpeting can absorb various things such as cooking odors, cleaning agents, and deodorants. The wool material is also resistant to mold, mildew, and bacteria, along with being a great material to ward off dust mites. Some other carpeting is polyester and nylon. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic option, check with your carpeting supplier to hear about your choices.
VOC
VOC or Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals in your flooring material that are released in vapor form and go into the air. These can be released due to sunlight and can cause a host of ailments to your skin and eyes, along with causing headaches. Not all flooring has a high VOC amount. It is best to understand the flooring that you are considering from all aspects beyond just how it looks. Some vinyl and nylon flooring can have higher VOC due to the amount of processing that needs to be done to make that material into flooring. Some materials that is low in VOC are more natural materials, such as hardwood. With hardwood, though, you want to check to see if and how it has been treated. Other material that depends on how it has been treated is ceramic tile or stone tile. If there are certain types of sealants or finishes added to the material, it can change the VOC level.
Laminate
Laminate flooring has many positive aspects to it. The flooring is relatively easy to install; it is resistant to scratches and dents, and does not absorb particles and allergens, so it can be seen as a good choice for flooring. The exact type of laminate will need to be known because there have been instances of laminate emitting formaldehyde. The type of laminate you want will need to be checked to make sure it does not have this issue.
It is important to research your flooring material choices to see how they affect the room above and beyond just aesthetically. You want to know if your air quality will change, and what the best options are for your space.
