5 Best Flooring Options for Your Kids Playrooms

Whether you have toddlers who love to crawl around or young kids running around in dirty sneakers, your floors have to put up with a lot of abuse. If you’re considering installing new flooring, you understandably want to choose the type that’s most compatible with kids. Here are some good options, from hardwood to carpet.

Carpet

If you want flooring that’s soft under the feet, carpet is a good choice. It’s relatively affordable, it’s a natural insulator, it absorbs sound, it can prevent slips, and it provides extra cushioning for falls.

You can choose from a variety of styles and colors to match any room. However, carpet collects and traps dirt and allergens that can aggravate asthma and allergies. These allergens get deep into the pile and can’t always be vacuumed up. Therefore, you need to give it a deep carpet cleaning every year or two.

Hardwood

Hardwood is able to withstand years of abuse from young children and is a lot easier to clean than carpeting. Over the years, you may decide to do some sanding to repair any scratches or marks, but that’s about all. Hardwood doesn’t harbor animal dander, pollen, mold, or dust like carpet does, so it’s ideal for kids who have allergies.

Of all the hardwoods, oak is the most common variety, either red or white oak. Both are certainly hard and durable, but red oak hides dents and scratches better than white oak, thanks to its stronger grain. When choosing which kind, remember that lighter colors hide scratches and dents better than darker ones do.

Or, you may opt for distressed flooring with natural lines and imperfections that can also hide any dents or scratches made by kids and pets. Just be sure to wipe up any spills immediately so your hardwood flooring does not warp or stain.

Laminate Flooring

If you like the look of hardwood but don’t have the money to invest in it, choose laminate. Laminate is basically compressed pieces of veneer featuring the image of the wood species pressed onto the top. It doesn’t require polishing or waxing, and can be easily cleaned by broom or damp mop.

Laminate, like hardwood, is also ideal for children who have allergies, because dirt, pollen, dust, dander, and animal hair can’t get through the tight seal. Accidental spills are OK, too, because you can just wipe them up.

Bamboo

Bamboo is kid-friendly and getting more and more popular. Bamboo is actually a grass and not a wood, but it’s grouped along with other species as hardwood flooring. That’s because bamboo is one of the strongest and most durable floor choices available. Plus, it’s stain-resistant, perfect for households with young kids. Finally, it’s environmentally friendly.

Cork

Cork is soft beneath your feet even though it looks like hardwood. It’s also antimicrobial, naturally repelling mold growth. When sealed properly, cork is impossible to stain. Cork is easy to keep clean, as it’s antistatic; this means dirt and dust will not stick to it like in carpet. Just be careful: because this material is soft, it’s easy to scratch and damage. The sharp edges of toys, for example, can cause tears, rips and gauges in the material.

Contact All Flooring Install

To inquire about our flooring options and get more advice on our kid-friendly materials, contact us at 972-679-3172.