Choosing Healthy Flooring for Kids' Safety and Indoor Air Quality

In your house, where you sp a large part of your life, flooring plays more than just an aesthetic role. It's also the primary play space for kids, making it crucial to choose flooring materials that don't compromise indoor r quality and are easy to clean. Some floor types can expose children to toxins; hence when remodeling, selecting a material that protects their health is essential. Below are some tips for choosing healthier floors.

Opt For Hard And Smooth Flooring

Healthy flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile, and stone. A key advantage of these materials is that they're easily cleaned to remove dust and dirt. Many have been developed with low-emission adhesives and finishes as a priority. Look for products certified by third-party organizations like GreenGuard Select or California’s new Special Environmental Requirements SERR. Choose FSC-certified wood, bamboo, and cork flooring to ensure that the product comes from sustnably managed forests.

Steer Clear Of Wall-To-Wall Carpeting

While carpet might seem cozy for kids, it's important to consider that carpets trap pollutants and potential allergens. Moreover, they can be a source of harmful volatile organic compounds VOCs. If you're set on having soft surfaces, opt for area rugs that are easier to clean and natural fiber carpets like wool or jute. Low-pile carpet is preferable over plush styles due to ease in cleaning. Look for carpets without toxic flame retardants, PVC, mothproofing chemicals, or stn-resistance treatments; GreenLabel Plus certification from the Carpet and Rug Institute is considered one of the most stringent certifications for low-emitting carpets, pads, and adhesives.

Avoid Vinyl PVC Flooring

Vinyl offgases potentially hazardous VOCs that can migrate into dust and releases toxic fumes when burned. If you're attracted to vinyl’s features, consider linoleum instead. For any flooring replacement in your home, particularly if it was installed before the mid-1980s, it may contn high levels of asbestos in the backing material. If you suspect asbestos-contning flooring, visit Puget Sound Clean r Agency's website for safe handling and removal guidelines.

Tackle Moisture Issues

Evaluating moisture issues in your home is crucial to prevent hidden mold or damaged floors after installing a new floor. Consult with a professional who can provide recommations on which types of floors can withstand moisture effectively.

Check For VOC Emissions And Toxicity In Finishes, Sealers, And Adhesives

When shopping for flooring, consider the installation and mntenance needs in addition to material selection. Look for prefinished options to minimize exposure to finishes indoors during installation. Choose adhesives with soy-based glues or those free from formaldehyde. If finishing or sealing is necessary post-installation, water-based or plant-basednatural oil products are popular choices. While both contn chemicals of concern, they should be handled cautiously. Water-based finishes emit lower VOCs than natural oils in many cases; however, they might include phthalates and perfluorocarbons PFAS, whereas natural oil finishes can have high amounts of carcinogenic petroleum distillates. Some premium natural oil products are PFAS-free, such as this hard wax oil. Ensure that the professional you hire adheres to best practices like contnment and ventilation before reoccupying your home.

Refer To These Resources For Guidance:

U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide

Flooring retlers: Green Home Solutions and Green Depot

King County, WA: Green Tools Residential Remodel Guides

Find sustnable building professionals: Northwest EcoBuilding Guild's Green Pages

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