You might not think of it immediately but it could be the flooring in your home that is causing the allergies that you and your family suffer from. Flooring type is one of the main causes of in house allergies across the country and the choice of flooring materials can have a major impact on both the health of people using them and the wider environment.
Fitted carpets hang onto dust which leads to a build up of dust mites in the substrate. The dust mite feeds on dead skin cells and is one of the major causes of allergies which can lead to asthma and other breathing disorders. Even if they are regularly vacuumed carpets still hang onto a great deal of dust which absorbs toxic pollutants from the indoor and outdoor environments. Smooth floorings such as vinyl floorings or wooden flooring are an alternative and if maintained properly they can be a great way to stave off the advances of the dust mites.
Vinyl floorings are probably the cheapest alternative to carpeting. However vinyl floorings are made of PVC, which is a major source of toxic substances in the environment, some of which are volatile organic pollutants. So it is probably a better investment to take advantage of some of the more healthier alternatives. These include wooden floors, linoleum, cork and laminate floors. Combined with a mat or rug a wooden floor can be just as comfortable as carpeted floors. Also rugs or mats can be washed to remove the dust from their fibres ensuring that the build up of dust is minimised.
In Britain we have a particular love for the carpet, this however started to diminish over the years as people visit different countries and realise that there are alternative solutions. Wooden floors are now becoming more popular and are also on the increase as many people believe that they add value to their home. In the past carpets were thought of as a selling point by estate agents but now a wooden floor is seen as much more desirable.
Fitting a wooden floor may be not the best thing to do if you or your family suffer from allergies but once it is in place it is definitely a better alternative to the carpet. It can be cleaned regularly and this prevents a build up of dust. It will also last a long time and not have to be renewed. the best way to have a wooden floor fitted is to contact a professional company who will come into your home and do the whole job for you [including the tidying up] ensuring that you don’t have to suffer disruption for longer than expected. For information on wooden floors go to TimberLand.
Fiona Muller has been writing for over 20 years. She is a qualified journalist and has worked with many different clients from fine artists to tractor manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.timberlandflooring.co.uk.
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