4 types of floors suitable for people with allergies

In the living space, the floor plays an important role in the health of people with allergies. Four types of floors that are highly rated for people with allergies include: laminate floors, plastic floors, tile floors and stone floors. These types of floors all minimize the risk of exposure to allergens for users.

According to statistics from the American Allergy and Asthma Society, about 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases, and living environment plays a decisive role in controlling symptoms.

The importance of choosing flooring materials for people with allergies

The floor, with its large contact area, becomes a place for many allergens to accumulate such as dust, mold, pollen, pet hair and cleaning chemical residue. These substances have the ability to trigger strong allergic reactions in sensitive people, leading to unpleasant symptoms such as continuous sneezing, runny nose, difficulty breathing, red rashes, itching and watery eyes.

Notably, a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that exposure to indoor dust containing mold increased the risk of asthma in children by 79%.

These numbers clearly demonstrate the importance of choosing the right flooring material in protecting the health of people with allergies.

3 Criteria for choosing flooring materials for people with allergies

When choosing flooring materials for people with allergies, there are three main criteria that should be carefully considered:

• Dust resistance: The surface needs to be covered with a dust-proof layer. This not only helps minimize the accumulation of allergens but also creates favorable conditions for daily cleaning and maintaining a clean living space.
• Resistance to mold and mildew: The floor must have good water resistance to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Humid environments are ideal conditions for the proliferation of harmful microorganisms, so choosing mold-resistant materials is extremely important in protecting the health of people with allergies.
• Contains no harmful chemicals: Flooring materials need to be produced from safe materials and do not emit toxic substances into the air. This ensures a fresh living space, minimizing the risk of irritation and allergic reactions for sensitive people.

4 Types of flooring ideal for people with allergies

People with allergies can look for laminate flooring, plastic flooring, tiles or stone for flooring.

 Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring Produced with strict standards on formaldehyde content (ensuring to meet E1 standards), does not affect the health of users. That is just one factor, for this type of flooring to be suitable for people with allergies, it must integrate antibacterial and moisture-proof capabilities, which are often found on high-end lines, for example:

• Egger Laminate Flooring Capable of killing 99% of bacteria after 24 hours of cleaning according to ISO 22196 (International standard for antibacterial activity on surfaces). In particular, floors with the Egger Aqua line can withstand 1.000 hours of flooding.
• Robina Laminate Flooring Applying advanced VEP (Vacuum Edge Protection) technology, allowing the lock to effectively repel moisture. At the same time, the floor locks surface water for 72 hours certified by Nalfa, minimizing mold and mildew.

Technical data sheet proving that Egger wood floors are antibacterial on the surface (sheet 1)

Technical data sheet proving that Egger wood floors are antibacterial on the surface (sheet 2)

Despite many outstanding advantages, high-end laminate floors are not completely waterproof. Users need to pay attention to drying immediately when water is spilled on the floor to avoid creating a favorable environment for bacteria and mold to grow.

 Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has absolute water resistance, while laminate flooring is only water resistant. This is an effective and economical solution for allergy sufferers, effectively preventing the growth of mold and bacteria. The floor surface is easy to clean with simple methods such as mopping or vacuuming.

Important note:

• It is necessary to ensure installation on a smooth, flat surface, especially for glued plastic floors.

• For plastic floors with locking seams, it is necessary to note the possibility of the seams breaking when subjected to strong force. Currently, there are some types of high-end plastic floors that have a locking warranty policy, so you need to carefully refer to the information when purchasing.

Tile floor

Tiles are a safe and durable flooring material for people with allergies thanks to their production process from natural materials and excellent water resistance.

However, tile floors can feel cold and hard upon direct contact, not providing warmth like some other types of floors. This needs to be carefully considered, especially for those who are sensitive to temperature.

Stone floor

Natural stone floors are a premium and absolutely safe choice for people with allergies, thanks to their natural properties and hard, smooth surface.

Granite is the best choice for people with allergies. It has high hardness (6-7 on the Mohs scale), low porosity (<1%), and is naturally antibacterial. Granite is also less susceptible to scratches and is easy to clean, helping to minimize the accumulation of allergens. Marble, although beautiful, has a higher porosity (3-5%) so is less suitable.

Questions of people with allergies about flooring materials

How does formaldehyde affect people with allergies?

Formaldehyde is a strong allergen that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin. In high concentrations, it can cause difficulty breathing and worsen asthma symptoms. The E1 standard limits formaldehyde emissions to ≤0.1 ppm, while E0 is even more stringent with a level close to 0.

What is the difference between porcelain tile floors and ceramic tile floors for people with allergies?

Porcelain tile floors have lower water absorption (<0.5%) than ceramic tiles (0.5-3%), helping to better limit mold growth. Porcelain is also harder and more durable, less susceptible to scratches, and reduces the possibility of dirt accumulation. However, both types are safe for allergic people because they do not emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

How to use wooden floors to minimize the impact on people with allergies?

How to use laminate flooring to minimize impact on people with allergies:

• Use a vacuum cleaner/sweeper and mop floors with a damp (not wet) cloth every day.
• Avoid leaving water on the floor for more than 60 minutes.
• Use doormats at entrances and exits.

In general, people with allergies need to choose flooring materials carefully, paying attention to the 3 important criteria when choosing the floor above. The article will also provide information about the advantages and disadvantages of 4 types of floors suitable for people with allergies: laminate floors, plastic floors, tile floors and stone floors. For further questions, please contact the number 0932.067.388.