With so many options and considerations it can feel daunting.
I’ve been there too, when my daughter was born in 2018 I thought I would know exactly what was needed but instead I had to weigh up the pros and cons of the various options in order to find the right choice for us.
Here, we share the key considerations and questions to ask, and hope that by the end of this article you will know which type of flooring is going to work best for you and your family.
Babies and Toddlers
Whether laying, crawling or taking those precious first steps, the flooring for a nursery or toddlers room needs to perform well on a range of points since they grow so fast!
The top 5 flooring considerations for nurseries are:
- Cleaning
- Harmful chemicals and VOCs
- Allergies
- Insulation
- Little hands and knees
Cleaning
In a nursery, the thought of easy-clean hard floor is certainly appealing. LVT and sheet vinyl can be wiped or mopped with ease (never use a steam cleaner) for spillages and little accidents. We wouldn’t recommend laminate or wood floors since they are susceptible to damage when in contact with moisture.
That said, there are now a range of carpets offering lifetime stain resistance and that, coupled with an antimicrobial underlay, should ensure that the carpet stays stain and smell free for anything life has to throw at it.
Harmful chemicals and VOCs
For understandable reasons this is fast becoming the biggest question we face over new flooring, especially when children are part of the household.
Natural products are our recommendation here. Wool carpets have the lowest VOC’s and little chemicals are added. Whilst some off gassing is inevitable on any product this offers the best option.
It should also be noted that a large number of LVT products are now classed as VOC free and if the right adhesives and preparation materials are selected this can make a great option too.
Flooring for allergies
Allergies can be tough and a floor that makes it worse is a nightmare, trust me I know from firsthand experience!
Hard floor can be a good choice but requires more frequent cleaning in order to prevent a build-up of dust.
Wool is classed as hypoallergenic, and the properties of wool can actually help clean the air in a room. As a bonus because carpet traps dust this can really help (as long as it is vacuumed out of the carpet regularly).
Insulation
If you are looking to add some additional room insulation, carpet is the clear winner. Thicker underlays have a higher TOG rating and, when used with a deep pile man-made carpet, this combination will trap far more heat. The flip side is that the room won’t feel as cool in the summer. If you want a balance, then wool is the best option as it will help maintain the temperature and humidity in a room.
Little hands and knees
Another win for carpet, as the practicalities of hard flooring are far outweighed by the cushioning and softness that can be achieved by a soft surface. Today we have access to a wider range of carpet fibres than ever before and some are super soft. Add in a good underlay and the carpet will be a dream to walk, crawl, play or sit on.
And the winner is…
Our pick would be a good quality, stain resistant/bleach cleanable man-made carpet on an antimicrobial underlay. Whilst there are some factors that would count against this choice (allergies), the combination of heat and sound insulation, softness and easy DIY cleaning make it our winner.
Older children and teenagers
Older children and teenagers come with a different set of challenges for flooring. Not only do we need to find something that works for the home as a whole, they often have their own, strong, views on what they want. Finding the balance can be tough, and I’m sorry, but you’re on your own with that discussion!
That said we can offer some practical advice on what to look for. As our children age their rooms become more akin to a studio flat than a simple bedroom, with them perhaps studying, socialising and hanging out in there, as well as sleeping.
Easy clean can still be high on the agenda as food and drink will be more likely taken to their rooms, shoes might not be taken off anymore and make-up might be in use (not to mention nail polish and hair dye)!
The top 3 flooring considerations for a teenager’s room are:
- Cleaning
- Sound insulation
- Durability
Cleaning
Ease of cleaning remains an important consideration. LVT and sheet vinyl are good choices for quickly-cleaned spills, but can become damaged with the use of harsh cleaning chemicals. A stain-resistant/bleach cleanable polypropylene carpet is another good choice here.
Sound Insulation
This is often high on the list of priorities for parents of teenagers. Deeper pile carpets and thicker underlays can certainly help to improve noise reduction, but unfortunately eliminating bass tones is not an easy task… sorry parents!
Durability
A hard floor is likely to be more durable than carpet, especially if your teenager might have an office chair/gaming chair in their room.
There are two ways to go here: opt for a more budget friendly option and be prepared to replace it more often or go for a higher quality product that can last for years. The decision here will often come down to your long-term plans for the home, as well as budgetary considerations. The same applies for hard floor or carpet.
Conclusion
For teenager’s rooms, practicality is the overriding consideration. LVT offers an easy clean, hard wearing and long term solution (and we have some sound insulation solutions for it too!). We like LVT because a single plank can be removed and replaced when needed, instead of a whole carpet (be sure to keep a few spare planks)!
For more personalised advice and to check out our extensive range of flooring in your own home, why not book a complimentary consultation today? Call us on 01323 335011 or fill in the form on our contact page.