When dealing with children, there are no fool-proof ways to maintain the pristine condition of various household investments. We’ve all heard the phrase “kids will be kids”, and this certainly stands to be true. With children around there’s always opportunity for something unexpected to take place. Whether intentional or accidental it’s always better to be prepared for such incidents. While there’s no sure way to “child-proof” your house, there are certain precautionary actions which, if utilized can help to decrease the chances of household wear and tear.
One concern of home owners with children is always related to flooring. When installing flooring it is always important to take into consideration what type of activities are going to be taking place within the home. Throw kids and their antics into the mix and you create the need to find a durable and multipurpose flooring solution. Cork flooring offers a wide variety of characteristics, making it a great investment, especially in areas where there are kids traveling through.
One of the main characteristics which makes cork an intelligent investment is the fact that it posses a variety of natural defenses, making it a “family-friendly” building material. Cork naturally contains a waxy substance known as Suberin. This substance possesses many different qualities, adding to the corks versatility. Suberin is highly moisture resistant, which is one of the reasons cork flooring, maintains an excellent tolerance of moisture. So, when that cup of apple juice spills chaotically all over the floor, fret not as there is extra protection to help prevent warping and other damages caused by moisture.
The hygiene of a child’s living area is also of importance when exploring appropriate flooring options. While carpets can be a nuisance to clean due to excessive amounts of dust, mites, and other allergens, hardwood flooring does not have the ability to cling to these harmful intruders. The Suberin found in cork also allows these surfaces to resist mold and mildew growth, as well as possible insect infestations. It has been thought that by switching from a carpet to a hardwood floor, a child suffering from any number of household allergens could potentially show improvements, helping to save money on prescription allergy medications.
Still, we have yet to address one of the most common concerns associated with children and hardwood flooring - Maintaining the aesthetics of the actual floor. No one wants to make an investment into a hardwood floor only to have it damaged through encounters with pets, cleats, toys, and any number of other potentially harmful enemies. When cork floor boards are produced they are compressed into sheets. These sheets contain air pockets which, in a sense, act as a sort of shock absorber. While this does not mean scratches and dents will not occur, it does assist in maintaining a desirable appearance. Also, cork flooring is known to be highly sound resistant, providing insulation in areas where echoes can occur, or in areas where children will play, laugh, cry, etc.
Overall, it is not difficult to see that there are no real downsides to installing cork floors into your child’s room. If anything, it would be beneficial for you and your child alike. Combining versatility and functionality, cork flooring is an intelligent investment for a family to make.
I can honestly think of few better child friendly floors besides cork.