Best floors for allergy sufferers
Published: March 12, 2015
If you suffer from common indoor allergies such as dust, mold and mildew, your choice of floor covering can make a difference in the quality of your life. You might think you have limited choices in floor coverings but that’s not true. Let’s look at some of the best floor options for people suffering with allergies.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends hardwood or tile as better choices than wall-to-wall carpet. Carpet traps dust, dirt and dust mites. To quote the foundation dust mites “are one of the worst enemies of people with allergies. Too small to be seen with the naked eye, they live inside carpeting, cushions and bedding. There they excrete waste products that cause allergic symptoms.” Even regularly cleaned, carpets can aggravate allergy symptoms.
Benefits of wood flooring for people with allergies
Many people agree that the strongest benefit of hardwood flooring is its beauty. We don’t disagree. Wood floors come in a wide range of colors and shades, they are comfortable underfoot and often increase the resale value of your home.
Benefits of tile flooring for people with allergies
Tile floor is another excellent option for people with indoor allergies. Made from natural materials, tile is a beautiful addition to any home and many people are surprised at the varieties now available in tile. From traditional ceramic to more modern slate – from edgy metal tile to unique terrazzo, there are tile floors to fit every home design.
Looks aside, if you suffer from allergies there are some other excellent reasons to look at wood and tile flooring:
- Easy to clean and keep dust-free. You’ll know if the floor needs dusting because you’ll be able to see the dust.
- No fibers to trap dust, dust mites, mold spores or other allergy triggers.
- Long-lasting so you won’t need to replace it as often as carpet. While carpet typically lasts 15 years or more, those with allergies often need to replace it more often.
Some people shy away from wood or tile flooring because they find it too hard, too cold or too noisy. People like the warm, soft, insulating qualities of carpet. Area rugs provide the perfect balance. There is no carpet padding so the trapping of allergens is minimal. And area rugs are easy to frequently clean to keep dust and dust mites away. Area rugs come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and are more affordable than you may realize. Kermans Flooring started out with area rugs and we remain one of the top area rug stores in Indianapolis. If you want to add an area rug to your wood or tile floor, Kermans is the spot to pull it all together.
If you stop by our showroom you might be surprised to find out just how many options you’ll have to choose from in looking at wood and tile floors. Feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our free design consultants. You can tell them you’re concerned about indoor allergies and they’ll have some recommendations ready and waiting when you arrive.