Kid Friendly Flooring

Kids flooring doesn't have to mean wall–to–wall, cartoon–print carpet. In fact, there are several types of flooring for kids that can make your living space both attractive and safer for your children. Whether your children are barely out of the crib or active high school students, selecting a family–friendly floor that can handle wear and tear may very well help save you money in the long run.

Kid Friendly Flooring Resources

Why Kid–Proof Your Floors?

Choosing a kid floor surface can help reduce accidents and allergies, minimizing the time you spend worrying over your child's safety. Look for flooring that is easy to maintain and can handle everything from dropped toys to unsteady toddlers who need the safest possible surface in case of a fall. The floor you select should also be up to the wear and tear of heavy traffic, spills and other kinds of messes. An example of kid friendly flooring would be foam and rubber flooring mats for the nursery, playroom or daycare center. These floors will see a lot of activity and unlike other types of flooring, foam and rubber mats can be a great kid friendly option.

Non Slip Flooring for Active Kids

Slip–resistant floors like foam, cork, carpet and rubber are great floors for active kids. In addition to reducing the chance of falls, non slip flooring provides a comfortable surface that the entire family can enjoy. You can install non–slip flooring just about anywhere in the house. It is particularly suitable for rooms where children spend most of their time, such as the bedrooms, playrooms and kitchen. Most floor types that are considered "slip resistant" come in a wide choice of designs and colors, allowing you to easily match them to your home's décor.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile organic compounds are carbon–based, chemical compounds that can be found in floor materials, adhesives and cleaners. Tests conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have proven that indoor air contains 2 to 5 times more VOCs than outdoor air.

Some symptoms of VOC exposure include headaches, increase in asthma attacks, eye irritation, pneumonia, coughing, and fatigue. Certain floors, such as vinyl, are made with chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that can bring on these symptoms. Many flooring manufacturers now make their products with fewer VOCs to help reduce the amount of toxins in your home. Ask your local flooring professional which products contain minimal amounts of VOCs.

Recommendation: If a product is marked E1 (the European regulation for low formaldehyde content), it meets or exceeds the acceptable standard for VOC emissions. If they are not marked E1, check with the vendor or manufacturer.

Kid–Friendly Green Flooring

Many eco–friendly floors are naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, resisting household allergens such as dust and mites in addition to discouraging mold growth. A number of green floor types are also made with fewer VOCs, which results in less harmful chemicals in the air you breathe. These characteristics make many eco–friendly floor types an ideal kid floor surface. By choosing green flooring such as recycled carpet, renewable bamboo and sustainable cork, you can make a positive contribution toward reducing global warming. Plus, you may even potentially minimize the amount of toxins in your home!