Some types of flooring may breed unhealthy conditions for asthma sufferers. Carpeting with long fibers, for example, traps dust and dirt. If pets share the space, pet hair and dander may stay in the carpet even after high-powered vacuuming. Flooring options which are easy to keep clean, such as hardwood floors, are ideal for asthmatics because possible asthma triggers could be removed with ease.
Healthy Hardwood Flooring
Wood flooring is ideal for an asthma sufferer prone to allergies. Its smooth surface does not trap dust mites or pet dander exactly the manner carpet can, and common dusting using a static dust rubbed eliminates dust in a hurry. If you install wood floors, allow somebody else to handle the work so that you won’t inhale dust particles during sawing and sanding. Select a low volatile organic compound or “low VOC” sealer — this choice emits almost no fumes in comparison to different types of sealers. Wood laminate flooring is also an option, but only as long as the laminate materials are bound together with low- or even no-VOC content. Some laminate flooring off-gases formaldehyde and other possible asthma triggers. If unclear, ask a flooring merchant; any business that manufactures low- and also no-VOC flooring marks its own goods as such.
Comfortable Cork
Cork flooring, created in the bark of the cork oak tree, which supplies a soft, warm feel under foot in comparison to hardwood flooring. It also resists water, mildew and mould. When choosing cork for your home, seek out formaldehyde-free options created without volatile organic chemicals. Some cork flooring isn’t made completely of cork, so seek from the versions which don’t contain vinyl or PVC. Choose a low-VOC glue to glue the flooring in place, as well as a low-VOC substrate, in the event the cork hasn’t been pre-sealed, to prevent off-gassing of dangerous fumes that will trigger asthma symptoms.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile gives a durable, asthma-friendly flooring option for areas prone to high traffic such as entryways, bathrooms and kitchens. Much like other non-carpeted surfaces, tile requires regular washing and dusting to reduce allergens and asthma triggers. Residents with asthma should stay out of the area when the tile is applied, as powder-based grout mixes may aggravate symptoms. Select low-VOC tile adhesive to set up the tiles.
Other Natural Floor Choices
Linoleum might appear similar to some types of artificial flooring, but it is constructed from natural materials — primarily olive oil, pine resin and powdered wood using a jute fiber backing. It offers a durable option for practically any room in the house and is relatively easy to clean because it is smooth. Bamboo flooring, like look to hardwood floors and wood laminate flooring, is just another natural choice for an asthma-friendly floor. When installing either linoleum or bamboo floors, use low-VOC adhesives. Otherwise toxic chemicals may off-gas for some time, making the room dangerous for asthma sufferers.