Kid-Friendly Flooring Options To Consider

When you have children, you need kid-friendly flooring. After all, your home shouldn’t just be welcome to the adult members of your family. It should be a place where your kids can feel safe and comfortable, too! Good news: there’s definitely not a lack of options regarding high quality flooring that look great and are durable and easy to clean.

 

Questions To Keep In Mind

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to kid-friendly flooring, ask yourself the following questions: How old are your children? How much stain resistance do you need? Will you need two different flooring types for high-traffic and low-traffic areas? Do you have pets, or do you plan on getting pets? How much time per week do you want to spend cleaning? If you come armed with that information, a flooring technician can give you a straightforward answer on what type of flooring will benefit your household.

Kid-Friendly Flooring Types

Here’s what you need to know about the kid-friendly options that we offer at Goshen Floor Mart:

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is a beautiful, natural option for a house with children. It’s non-toxic, meaning it creates great indoor air quality, which benefits children with asthma or allergies. These floors are easy to clean, and they do a great job of increasing your home’s resale value if you plan on selling in the future. Hardwood is a minimally porous option, meaning there’s not much of a chance for germs and bacteria to make a home in your floors. That’s a big reason why hardwood has the potential to last for many years. This long-lasting type of floor also never goes out of style, so it’s a win/win scenario. If you have toddler-age children, hardwood might not be your best bet. For one, hardwood can be scratched by hard toys, and toddlers always seem to have one toy or another in their grip. Secondly, hardwood floors don’t offer a very soft place to land for young ones who are still getting used to walking.

 

Laminate Floors

The first great thing about laminate flooring is the fact that it’s affordable. As parents, we know that parenting can sometimes mean dealing with surprise costs, and when you invest in laminate flooring, you won’t break the bank. But that doesn’t mean that it looks cheap or shoddy; in fact, the complete opposite is true. Laminate is known for its high-end looks, and can even imitate genuine hardwood. Another positive aspect of laminate is the fact that it has a scratch-resistant layer on the surface. That, along with the fact that it’s indentation resistant and stain resistant makes it one of the most perfect choices for busy families – especially those with children on the younger side. Something to keep in mind about laminate is the fact that it can get pretty slippery when it’s wet, which can be a hazard for little ones – but it’s actually slippery for a good reason. This material is water resistant, as liquid sits on top of it instead of sinking in. As long as you clean up spills ASAP, your kids should be just fine.

Vinyl Floors

Vinyl floors, much like laminate, are easy to maintain. They’re water-resistant, thanks to their nonporous surface, so no mold or bacteria will grow inside your vinyl flooring. One of vinyl’s great perks is that it offers a decently soft place to land. While these floors are by no means as plush as carpet, they’re the next best bet for babies who are learning to walk. If they take a tumble, it won’t do any damage on vinyl. When you pick out vinyl, it’s important that you choose one that is phthalate free. This is the best option for the environment and for kids living in your home. Our floor technicians can help you choose an option that’s best for you!

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Floors

While ceramic and porcelain tile are much harder than hardwood, laminate, or vinyl, they’re also the most difficult to stain. That is a major plus for families who have kids that are especially messy! Another perk of ceramic and porcelain tile is the fact that they stay cool no matter what. In the summer on those hot, hot days, these floors will offer a cool reprieve underneath everyone’s feet. And, much like vinyl, laminate, and hardwood, they are easy to clean and don’t harbor dander and dust – a big plus for your family’s sinuses. This type of flooring is best for households with older children. They don’t have to be teens, but they should probably be past the age where falls are a common occurrence.

Carpet Floors

Carpet flooring used to be very much in style, then it went out of favor with the masses – but now, it’s back on trend. After all, it’s the softest of the soft. Carpet flooring allows children of all ages not only to fall without worry, but to play freely and even roughhouse if they want to. While carpet is known for holding onto hair, dander, dirt, and dust (and this is something to keep in mind if your children are prone to allergies), there are some hypoallergenic options available. What’s more, if you’re simply looking for a way to cover up a hard surface while your kids are young, rugs made out of carpet remnants are the perfect temporary solution. As soon as the kids are old enough not to need that soft place to land, you can relocate that remnant to a different room and enjoy a whole new style.

Which Flooring is Best for Your Home?

If you're in the market for flooring feel free to contact Goshen Floor Mart. Remember, we are always happy to provide you with a free estimate. Call us today at 574.642.4770 or contact us here