Children
If you are a parent and homeowner, you probably understand how everything ends up on the floor eventually. Kids and spills go together like peanut butter and jelly. And, yes, those also would end up on the floor. So, how do you keep your home looking great when you have children? Consider laminate flooring instead of carpets.
What Are the Benefits of Laminate Flooring?
- It’s cheaper than hardwood flooring. Although many homeowners like the look and feel of hardwood floors, they are expensive to put into new or renovated construction. If you buy a home that doesn’t already have hardwood floors, you probably won’t want to put in hardwood floors. However, you can add laminate and give the appearance of hardwood flooring.
- It’s more durable. Hardwood flooring will wear out eventually. Laminate flooring is made from pressed wood that can resist scratches, moisture, and wear and tear from children who run all over the floor.
- It resists fading. Because of its natural fibers, hardwood flooring fades in direct sunlight. If you like a sunny house and have lots of windows and face the south, you will want laminate flooring. Laminate can resist sun damage and looks great.
- It’s great for high traffic areas. Toddlers are on the go all the time. They aren’t just on feet. They have toys with wheels, and they crawl or run or skid. As the children get older, they throw their backpacks on the floor by the front door or track mud from the outside into the house. If you have durable laminate flooring for these areas, you will not have as many problems as you have if you choose carpet or hardwoods.
- It’s easier to clean than carpeting. As stated earlier, children spill everything. They track in mud, grass, leaves, etc. from the outside, and they are hard on carpets in general. While you can rent a steam machine to clean your carpet, it won’t be the same as when the carpet is first laid on your floor. The over-the-counter spot removers don’t work all that well. Most families don’t have enough money to pay for carpet cleaning done by professionals. However, laminate floors just need a quick mopping to resolve all these issues with children.
- You don’t have to worry about toys. With children, toys are played on the floors. They have dirty wheels. They have edges that can scratch. They have plastics that can be harsh to hardwood floors. Toys also can be heavy on a floor that can cause problems. Yet, with laminate flooring, you don’t have these issues because it won’t get ruined by toys.
- You get convenient packaging and versatility. Laminate flooring is great because it comes in boxes that are easy to use. You also can be creative in how you put the flooring together.
- It’s healthier. Laminate resists bacteria, mold and mildew, which cuts things causing allergies and illnesses.This is especially great for children with or without allergies.
What Are the Concerns?
- Laminate flooring is colder. If you live in northern states, you might want to keep the carpeting because otherwise the laminate flooring is colder. Just realize that home decorating magazines suggests that you will have to replace the carpeting regularly if you have children.
- It’s harder to repair. If the laminate does get damaged, you can’t sand away the imperfections like you can with hardwood floors. You might be able to replace individual boards, but most likely, you’ll have to pay for it.
- It can look less expensive. Like with all manufactured products that have a low price point, laminate flooring can look less expensive. With children, this isn’t a hindrance because it will look better longer than carpeting.
- Children are loud. The flooring produces a hollow sound. Add that to the fact that children are loud when they talk or play, your house could be quite noisy.
If you talk with experts on laminate flooring, you will understand if it is right for you and your family.