A frustrating problem with floors is how slippery they can get. It’s annoying to most, but the inherent slipperiness of most flooring materials is something that can keep parents up at night. Of course not every floor is a sheet of ice waiting to happen. Many of them are in fact slip-resistant, and there are many options for parents to choose from.
What Floors Should You Get for Your Children
Residential Carpeting
Residential carpeting is one of the best flooring materials out there, because there are so many options. In terms of slip resistant flooring, generally speaking residential carpeting is at the top of the list. Part of the reason is that carpeting has a much greater surface area than any other flooring option, due to the individual threads and looms. It gives your foot, sock, or the bottom of your shoe something to grab onto while walking. Even the close-cut types of carpeting still offer more protection against slipping than pretty much any other kind of flooring, except for ADA-approved materials specifically used in construction. An additional benefit is that residential carpeting is the softest flooring material. Kids are always on the move, sometimes faster than their feet can carry them. It’s not a bad idea to have a floor that won’t hurt to fall on.
Vinyl Flooring
While carpeting is great, it’s not the best option in every situation. If you are looking for flooring material versatile enough to cover every room in your home, look no further than vinyl flooring. Vinyl Flooring is one of the cheapest flooring materials on the market, which is why you find it in so many homes and apartment buildings around Nashville. It is also one of the most slip-resistant materials available. Most flooring manufacturers are not required to make public their slip-resistant ratings, but the vinyl flooring numbers that have been released are very comparable to the standards the ADA holds building companies to. Vinyl flooring is also a pretty soft material, so there won’t be any additional injuries from falling. And unlike carpeting, you don’t have to worry about rug burn.
Organic Flooring Options
If you’re looking for a flooring option that’s also good for the environment, Bamboo flooring and Cork flooring are both green-friendly options. Both are harvested in ways that reduce their carbon footprint. They both tend to be pretty absorbent materials– which is why they are slip resistant– but it does mean they are more susceptible to the dangers moisture provides. Cork flooring in particular is a great flooring option for a kids playroom, as long as you keep an eye out for any leaks or spills that may occur. With Bamboo flooring, you don’t have to be as concerned about the moisture, but it is the firmer of the two options.
Just as there are many flooring options, there are many flooring options that are great if you’re concerned about your children slipping. And if you can’t make up your mind between residential carpeting, vinyl flooring, or cork or bamboo flooring, the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey are only a phone call away to lend their expertise.
