Over recent years, the realisation that your home is more than just a place to rest your head at night has become more apparent. Your home is a haven. It’s a sanctuary of comfort and peace, which is why it’s important to make it a healthy place.
When it comes to thinking about healthy environments, it’s easy to forget about flooring in place of furniture, decoration, lighting, etc. But as the foundation of any home, flooring plays a crucial role.
Sustainability
Sustainable materials are usually the first step to a healthy environment and a healthy self. When it comes to floors, there’s a good variety of environmentally friendly flooring to choose from.
Materials such as bamboo, cork and reclaimed wood are great options with minimal impact on the environment. Bamboo and cork are renewable raw materials; bamboo takes about 5 years to grow, while cork can be harvested from the same tree every decade or so without harming the tree. Reclaimed wood is an effective way to repurpose old wood, which lessens waste and environmental harm.
Indoor Air Quality
When it comes to floors, you’ll want to keep an eye out for products that may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These are harmful chemicals that can cause health problems. Due to the hazardous nature of VOCs, most manufacturers are required to keep their VOC levels as low as possible.
Most floors will contain VOCs too due to the use of adhesives and finishes, so it can be difficult to avoid. But some have more than others. For example, carpets and vinyl flooring are prone to emitting more VOCs than wood flooring due to the manufacturing process.
Choosing low-emission materials like wood, bamboo or stone will help minimise the release of harmful chemicals, ensuring cleaner and healthier indoor air.
Allergens
Another way to create a healthy home is by avoiding floors that capture dust, pet hair and other allergens. Floors with hard surfaces such as wood and laminate are better options as they don’t trap allergens. This makes them great for your respiratory health, especially if you have allergies.
Carpet, on the other hand, isn’t ideal as the fibres can hold onto allergens and bacteria even after a deep clean.
Cleaning and Hygiene
Flooring that’s easy to clean is always ideal, but it’s also a healthier choice. Take carpet, for example, you’re unlikely to get it completely clean as bacteria clings to the fibres. Whereas, wood flooring is easy to clean and you’ll be able to get rid of all the dirt and germs on it.
A cleaner floor can also contribute to better indoor air quality!
Healthier Homes
With more people understanding the connection between well-being and environment, creating a healthy home is becoming more popular. Floors are an underestimated foundation of every home. By choosing sustainable floors with non-toxic finishes and adhesives that are easy to clean, you can contribute to a healthier, happier home.