If you suffer from allergies, the problem might not be the mold or pollen counts in the air, it might be that those same allergens are stuck in your carpet! Hardwood flooring can help prevent these things from affecting you, and possibly relieve you from many of your symptoms. They will also look amazing in any room of your home. Here are 4 reasons why our hardwood is the best flooring for allergies.
1. Dust Mites Can’t Thrive
Dust mites are microscopic bugs that live in household dust and cannot be seen with the naked eye. A mite’s life only lasts a few months, but it’s the droppings they produce in the dust that people are allergic to. Dust mites can live deep within carpet flooring. So, chances are you won’t be able to get them out simply by vacuuming. When you choose hardwood flooring over carpet, there won’t be any place for the mites to hide and thrive. So, don’t be surprised if your allergies seem to randomly disappear!
2. Hardwood Doesn’t Trap Allergens and Irritants
Another reason why hardwood is the best flooring for allergies is that it doesn’t harbor allergens or irritants. The main difference between allergens and irritants is that allergens can cause an allergic reaction and irritants will only cause slight inflammation in the airways or other mild discomforts. Common allergens include dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold, and common irritants include pesticides, tobacco smoke, and paint fumes. All of these things can easily become trapped in carpet flooring.
3. Wood Flooring is Easier to Clean Effectively
The most effective way to clean carpet flooring to prevent allergies is to steam it and let’s be honest, steam cleaning can be a pain. This is especially true if you have carpet throughout your entire home. You can vacuum your carpet, but there’s just no way to be sure that you got every allergy-causing thing out of it. On the other hand, taking care of hardwood flooring is easy, and will look stunning with the proper maintenance.
4. Don’t Have to Replace Them as Often
Depending on the type of carpet, it’s recommended that you replace it every 5 to 15 years. Other than the type of carpet you have, there are tons of other factors that can lead to it having to be replaced sooner rather than later. Spilling things that will stain the carpet and possibly cause mold if they aren’t cleaned properly is a big one. Pets also contribute to the wear and tear of carpet in a big way when they track dirt and other things from outside through the house. Hardwood flooring only need to be refinished about every 15 years, not replaced. Hardwood flooring can last for decades with the proper maintenance, which is also probably why they are the preferred flooring option among homebuyers.
Is LVP the Best Flooring for Allergies?
Luxury vinyl plank is also a great option to consider. LVP is good for allergy sufferers as well as those with asthma not only because of its hard surface but also because of it's low emissions. There are several different types of rigid core flooring products including SPC (stone polymer core) and WPC (wood polymer core). While they each have different pros and cons regarding performance and price, any LVP choice would be friendly to one with allergies. The only option to be avoided would be a vinyl product that requires adhesives, as this might contain chemicals that are irritating. Rigid core flooring is available in many different choices, including tiles or planks, and any species or color that you could imagine. Who says that allergy friendly flooring can't be beautiful?
We have a blog that explains what exactly vinyl plank is and what you can expect from this waterproof floor. If you are looking for more cheap flooring options check out our blog on that as well.
Now that you know a little more about why hardwood is the best flooring option for allergies, be sure to check out all of our hardwood flooring products to find the perfect option for your home!
