Carpet
People with aching joints may appreciate the soft surface of carpet. If you suffer from a
condition that causes you to fall or stumble, carpet can provide more protection than hardwood or laminate flooring.
Pros
- Is usually very comfortable underfoot
- Provides a non–slip surface
- Carpets with low volatile organic compounds
(VOCs)* are available (such as carpet that meets green standards)
- Quiet surface
- Stain–resistant carpet is available
- Small–loop, commercial–grade carpet is available for easier wheelchair travel (Berber)
*VOCs are toxic, carbon–based chemical compounds that can cause sneezing, headaches and nausea
and are even associated with
increased cancer risk.
Cons
- Carpet retains dirt and debris more readily than hard floor surfaces such as tile, wood and stone, which can make
cleaning a more difficult
process
- Allergens such as dust mites tend to cling to most carpet types, which can aggravate asthma and allergies (for more
information see our Allergy-Friendly flooring section)
- Deep pile carpet requires wheelchair users to use more energy to move around than they would on a hard surface floor
Disability–Friendly Floor Tips – Carpet
- Consider carpet tiles as they can be easily replaced or removed for cleaning
- Protect the subfloor with a moisture barrier or underlayment such as cork or foam rubber
- The lower the carpet pile, the easier it is for wheelchair travel
- Choose an allergy–resistant carpet to minimize the amount of allergens on your floor surface
- Select a carpet that's made with eco–friendly materials as they tend to contain fewer VOCs
- Reduce risk of carpet stains by choosing stain–resistant carpet.
Note: Stain–resistant
carpet is not stain–proof; staining
can still occur.
