What Kind of Flooring is Right for Allergy Sufferers? Tips for Choosing

The floor is a horizontal surface that forms the bottom of each floor in a house or building. The floor is where people directly walk and live and is the part that is affected by human weight, furniture and daily activities.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 40% of the world's population is affected by allergies, the main cause of which is an unsafe indoor environment.

Flooring can be linked to allergies such as respiratory allergies and skin allergies. Choosing the right flooring is essential to controlling allergens. Types of flooring suitable for allergy sufferers include laminate flooring, vinyl flooring, tile flooring, and natural stone flooring.

When choosing flooring for people with allergies, priority should be given to floors with smooth, non-porous surfaces, dust-proof, antibacterial, mold-proof, non-emitting toxic chemicals, etc. Let's go into the content of the article to grasp the specific information!

Types of Allergies Related to Flooring

Respiratory allergies and skin allergies are types of allergies that are associated with flooring.

Respiratory allergies

Respiratory allergies occur when you inhale allergens such as house dust, dust mites, pollen, mold spores, or pet dander. This is the most common type of allergy and is often associated with allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Typical symptoms include constant sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, itchy eyes, itchy throat, difficulty breathing, stuffy nose:

• Sneezing constantly: Usually appears in the morning or when exposed to dust, pollen, dust mites.
• Runny nose: Nasal discharge is usually clear and colorless, unlike nasal discharge caused by a cold.
• Itchy nose, itchy eyes, itchy throat: Irritates respiratory organs and causes itching and discomfort.
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing: For people with allergic asthma, this symptom can be more severe and requires immediate treatment.
• Stuffy nose: The nasal mucosa becomes inflamed, causing airway obstruction.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), up to 30% of adults and 40% of children suffer from allergic rhinitis, most of which is related to dust, pollen and dust mites.

Skin allergies

Direct contact with floors containing toxic chemicals, dirt, mold spores or pet hair can cause skin irritation, rashes or itching. Children who frequently crawl or play on the floor are at increased risk of skin allergies.

Typical symptoms include rash, redness, itching, edema, swelling, dry skin:

• Rash, red rash: Skin has red rash, may have tiny blisters.
• Itchy skin: Itching often appears on the hands, feet, face or neck.
  Edema, swelling: Skin swelling, especially around the eyes, lips and areas in contact with the allergen.
• Dry skin, peeling skin: Skin may become dry, cracked and flaky, commonly seen in cases of atopic dermatitis (eczema).
• Urticaria: The red rash appears in large patches and may disappear and reappear after a few hours.

According to the World Allergy Organization (WAO), about 20% of the world's population will experience hives at least once in their lifetime. Skin allergies can have many causes, including allergies to chemicals, insect venom, or foods.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Flooring for Allergy Sufferers

The floor is the surface with the largest contact area in the house and is where many allergens such as dust, mold, pollen, pet hair and cleaning chemical residues accumulate. These agents not only stick to the surface but also easily spread into the air, especially when there is wind, human movement or cleaning activities such as sweeping.

According to research from the American Lung Association, indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air, and floor surfaces are a major factor in dispersing and retaining fine dust particles – one of the main allergens.

Choosing the right flooring is an important step in controlling allergens. When allergens are no longer accumulating on the flooring, indoor air quality improves.

This reduces the risk of respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and chronic sinusitis. Reducing the presence of mold also prevents bacteria and viruses from growing, protecting the immune system of family members.

What Type of Flooring Is Ideal for Allergy Sufferers?

Ideal flooring types for allergy sufferers include laminate flooring, vinyl flooring, tile flooring, and natural stone flooring.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is ideal for allergy sufferers thanks to its antibacterial, anti-mold, health-safe and temporary water-resistant properties. However, the long-term water resistance of this flooring material is limited.

According to REACH standards - a regulation of the European Union (EU): industrial wood flooring products must meet E1 or E0 standards for formaldehyde content - a chemical that can cause respiratory irritation.

Advantage:

• Antibacterial and antifungal: Modern wood flooring lines have the ability to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. For example, Egger wood flooring has the ability to kill 99% of bacteria on the surface within 24 hours, as verified by international standard ISO 22196.
• Waterproof and durable: Some product lines such as Robina wooden floors apply VEP (Vacuum Edge Protection) technology, which helps the surface to be waterproof within 72 hours, limiting the risk of mold.
• Health safety: Products certified E1 or E0, ensuring safety in terms of formaldehyde content - a substance that can cause allergies or respiratory irritation.

Disadvantages: Limited water resistance. If water is allowed to soak into the surface of the wooden floor for a long time, it can blister, creating conditions for mold to grow.

Vinyl Flooring

Plastic flooring (also known as vinyl flooring) is one of the popular choices for allergy sufferers today because it is waterproof, easy to clean and dustproof. However, the quality of plastic flooring on the market is not consistent and this type of flooring needs to be installed on a flat surface.

Research from the Institute of Environmental Sciences shows that high-quality vinyl flooring can reduce airborne dust by up to 90% thanks to its smooth, non-porous surface.

Advantage:

• Waterproofing: Vinyl flooring is waterproof, helping to prevent mold and bacteria from growing, even in wet environments like kitchens and bathrooms.
• Easy to clean: The smooth floor surface makes cleaning simple, just wipe with a damp cloth or use a vacuum cleaner.
• Anti-dust: Thanks to its flat and non-porous surface, vinyl flooring does not retain dirt and fine particles like regular carpets or wood floors.

Disadvantages:

• Product quality is uneven: Some poor quality vinyl floors can emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are harmful to health. Therefore, it is necessary to choose vinyl flooring that has been certified for safety (such as Floorscore).
• Requires flat mounting surface: When constructing, glue-on vinyl flooring requires a smooth, flat surface to avoid peeling.

Tile floor

Ceramic tile floors are also the optimal choice for people with allergies thanks to their waterproof properties, easy cleaning and safety for health. However, the ceramic tile floor surface is hard and will be cold in winter, with a high possibility of slipping.

Advantage:

• Waterproofing: Tile floors are waterproof, helping to prevent mold and bacteria from growing, especially in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Easy to clean: Smooth surface helps users easily remove dirt, pet hair and pollen particles.
• Health safety: Tile floors do not emit formaldehyde and VOCs, safe for allergy sufferers.

Disadvantages:

• The surface is cold and hard:Tiled floors are often cold in winter, not suitable for the elderly and children.
• Slipperiness:Glossy ceramic tile surfaces can be slippery when wet.

Natural stone flooring

Natural stone floors are suitable for people with allergies because they are dust-proof, antibacterial, moisture-proof and safe for health. However, the cost of installing this type of floor is quite high and the construction process is also complicated.

Advantage:

• Dustproof, antibacterial: The hard, smooth surface of stone floors attracts less dust and is easy to clean.
• Moisture-proof, mold-proof: Stone floors are waterproof, not creating an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to grow.
• Safe and healthy: Because it does not contain chemicals, natural stone floors are suitable for families with small children or people with allergies.

Disadvantages:

• High cost: Natural stone floors are much more expensive than tile or plastic floors.
• Difficult to construct: Stone floor installation requires high skills and longer construction time.

What to Consider When Choosing Flooring for Allergy Sufferers?

When choosing flooring for people with allergies, priority should be given to floors with flat, non-porous surfaces, dust-proof, mold-proof, antibacterial, non-emitting toxic chemicals, anti-slip, easy to clean, affordable and from reputable brands.

Choose floors with flat, non-porous surfaces

The flat, non-porous surface helps limit the accumulation of dust, pollen, pet dander, and other small particles. Compared to carpets or other types of porous floors, flat floors are easier to clean and prevent the growth of mold.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), house dust contains up to 50-80% dust mites, which can trigger allergy and asthma attacks.

Choose dust-proof and easy-to-clean materials

Dust, pet hair and pollen often fall on the floor and can cause allergies. Therefore, the floor needs to be dust-proof and easy to clean.

Choose anti-mold and anti-bacterial materials

High humidity can promote the growth of mold and bacteria – two common allergens. Moisture-resistant and antibacterial flooring will help prevent these problems.

According to research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold spores are the cause of 21% of allergies in young children.

Choose flooring that does not emit toxic chemicals

Some flooring materials, especially poor quality laminate and vinyl flooring, can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or formaldehyde, which cause respiratory irritation and allergies.

Choose a floor that is slip resistant

Slippery floor surfaces can be dangerous, especially for the elderly and young children. Additionally, slippery surfaces when wet can create conditions for bacteria and mold to grow.

Choose floors with rough, anti-slip surfaces such as rough ceramic tile floors, rough natural stone floors or plastic floors with friction surfaces. Avoid glossy tile floors or floors with very smooth surfaces because they are slippery when wet.

Choose flooring that is easy to maintain and clean

Regular cleaning of floors is an effective way to prevent allergens such as dust, pet dander and mold. Choosing floors that are easy to clean will save you time and effort in cleaning your home.

Note on installation costs and long-term maintenance

The cost of installing and maintaining flooring can affect your family's budget. Choosing a durable, easy-to-maintain floor will save you money in the long run.

Choose a reputable brand with safety certification

Choosing flooring from reputable brands will ensure quality and safety products. Major brands often have international certifications for chemical safety and product quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring

Is natural wood flooring suitable for people with allergies?

Not very suitable. Hardwood floors are specially treated to minimize the amount of resins and other allergens that can cause irritation. However, hardwood floors can still contain small amounts of these substances and require regular cleaning.

Besides floors, what other elements in the home can cause allergies?

In addition to floors, other elements such as carpets, curtains, upholstered furniture, pillows, and blankets can also harbor dust, dust mites, and other allergens.
Should you choose tiled floors or wooden floors, beautiful and safe for people with allergies?

You should choose tile flooring if:

• Prioritize durability: Hard tile floors, good load-bearing capacity, scratch-resistant, suitable for areas with frequent traffic or children and pets.
• Wet space: Tile floors are waterproof, easy to clean, suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, or humid climates.
• Limited budget: Tile floors are usually cheaper than wooden floors.
• Modern, minimalist style: Tile floors bring a luxurious, modern beauty and are easy to combine with many different interior styles.

Refer to beautiful floor models through the article: Beautiful Floor Tile Models & Full Construction Price

You should choose wooden floors if:

• Prioritize natural, cozy beautyWooden floors create a warm, luxurious feeling, bringing a living space close to nature.
• Less contact with water: Wooden floors are suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, places with little water-related activities.
• Health: Certain types of hardwood flooring can help improve indoor air quality.
• Classic, elegant style: Wooden floors bring classic, luxurious beauty, suitable for sophisticated interior spaces.

Refer to beautiful floor models through the article: Popular Beautiful Wooden Floor Models & Full Construction Quotes

Which type of laminate flooring is good and safe for people with allergies?

Currently, reputable laminate flooring brands on the market include Thaixin, Galamax, Glomax, Kosmos, Vario, Robina, Kronotex, Egger Aqua, Tiger, EcoFloor and Kapan. References Price list of industrial wood flooring trusted today.

If you want to use industrial wood for furniture, you can refer to the article Comparison of industrial wood types in interior construction.

Which unit designs and constructs prestigious interior floors in Ho Chi Minh City?

SmartDecor is proud to be a reputable and experienced unit in designing and constructing beautiful interior floors in Ho Chi Minh City. With over 10 years of experience and over 1.000+ successful projects, SmartDecor provides durable, waterproof, scratch-resistant flooring solutions and optimizes living space.

Reasons to choose SmartDecor

• Extensive experience: Diverse construction from townhouses, villas to showrooms.
• Service Package: Consulting, design, construction, installation and full maintenance.
• Own factory: Proactive production, optimizing costs by 20-30% for customers.
• Commitment to quality: Using durable, beautiful, safe materials and having a warranty policy of up to 1 year, maintenance policy of 3 years.
• Personalized design: Meets modern, classic style and optimizes feng shui for homeowners.

Contact SmartDecor now for detailed consultation and receive up to 50% discount on design fees!