Trying to choose the best type of flooring for your family home? When it comes to selecting the best flooring for the home, there are a lot of different factors to consider. When you have children, you need to pay particular attention to the durability and practicality of the floor.
To help you make the right choice, below you’ll discover some of the best child-friendly flooring options currently available.
Luxury vinyl
One of the best types of child-friendly flooring is undoubtedly luxury vinyl. While traditional vinyl flooring is often quite thin, luxury vinyl is made up from layers. Over the years, advancement in production techniques has meant that luxury vinyl floors now feature breath-taking realistic finishes. You’ll find an extraordinary collection of designs from companies like Lifestyle Flooring UK.
So, what makes these floors great for family homes? As well as being affordable, these floors are designed with practicality in mind. They are extraordinarily durable, easy to clean and they’re much softer than wooden and stone flooring. Many also come with slip resistance built in, making them safer for family homes.
A lot of luxury vinyl floors are water resistant too. So, any spills can be easily wiped up without fear of stains or water damage. You’ll also find these floors are a more hygienic option too. If your child suffers with allergies, luxury vinyl floors are ideal due to their natural allergen resistance.
As an additional bonus, luxury vinyl floors are exceptionally easy to install. Even if you don’t have any previous experience fitting floors, you should find these easy to fit. Most come with a click system, making the installation process fast as well as easy. This can save you a lot of money as you won’t need to hire the help of professional installation experts.
The only thing to keep in mind when buying a luxury vinyl floor for your family home, is phthalates. Make sure the floor you invest in is phthalates free as these can be toxic to humans. The good news, the majority of vinyl floors are now made completely phthalate free.
Laminate flooring
Another option available to you that’s great at withstanding the wear and tear of family homes, is laminate flooring. Like luxury vinyl, this type of flooring has come a long way over the years. Today, you can easily find waterproof style laminate, alongside highly wear resistant laminate products.
Most tend to come with a protective layer which makes them very easy to keep clean. They are also scratch and wear resistant, though obviously each laminate floor will differ. You’ll get the real wood look and feel at a fraction of the cost. This makes it a great choice for those on a budget.
You’ll also find laminate is just as easy as luxury vinyl to install. It is slightly harder than vinyl, but softer than real wood. So, slips and falls shouldn’t pose much concern. One thing you should look out for however is slip resistance. Laminate floors can become very slippery, particularly when wet. So, be sure to look out for slip resistant variations.
Are engineered and solid wood viable options?
While luxury vinyl and laminate flooring can provide a realistic wood effect, there is no denying you can’t beat the real thing. However, are engineered and real wood floors suitable for family homes?
The simple answer is potentially yes. Even solid wood floors can be used in family homes. You’ll just need to pay attention to the type of finish you’re choosing. For example, a textured finish will hide scratches much better than smooth finishes. You can also enhance their safety by adding area rugs into the room. This will minimise the risk of scratches and spills too.
Engineered wood floors are typically more practical than real wood. They have a very sturdy design and will typically last for many years before they need to be sanded down and refinished. While they still pose the same risk of scratches, again choosing a textured surface can help. You’ll also find lighter coloured wood flooring hides scratches more effectively than darker wood.
One of the great benefits of installing wooden floors in family homes, is that they don’t contain any harmful toxins. As they are a natural material, they are much safer for children and they will also repel dirt and allergens.
Generally speaking, wooden flooring isn’t suitable for toddlers and very young children. However, it could be used in areas such as the dining room. Consider maintenance too as wooden floors are typically more difficult to maintain than laminate and luxury vinyl flooring.
When choosing a floor for your family home, you’ll want to think about the age of your kids and your budget. Some experts recommend using different flooring types in different rooms too. Think about how your kids use the room. Will they play on the floor? If so, luxury vinyl for example, would be a great option.
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