Replacing The Carpet With Hardwood
Last week we finally replaced the carpet in the bedrooms with wood flooring.
I have never been a fan of wall to wall carpet and when you have allergies and animals I think you tend to like them even less.
So after a few days of ripping out flooring and underlay ourselves (and attempting to find temporary places for everything in the mean time) we finally have the new floors in.
I did learn a few interesting things this time around (yes you guessed it I've done this before).
Carpet underlay contains latex and if you are allergic to latex this can be a problem especially as the underlay ages and becomes worn the latex breaks down and forms a fine dust. Thankfully there are non-latex underlay options available.
Most carpets also contain VOC's (aka volatile organic compounds) like formaldehyde and stain repellents. Carpet also tends to act as a magnet, trapping all kinds of allergens like dust, dust mites, mold spores, dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other pollutants. So every time you walk on it or sit on it you disturb these allergens and they are released into the air.
The wood flooring on the other hand will allow for easier and more complete cleaning. As dust and other pollutants remain on the surface they are more easily removed.
As a side note I looked into the differences between Vinyl and Linoleum flooring. (We have had the wood look Linoleum flooring in the past.)
Linoleum is made from natural sources such as wood flour, pine resin, linseed oil and stands up very well and has been known to last for up to 40 years (according to "This Old House" article).
Vinyl can last up to 20 years but it's a synthetic petrolium based product that contain among other things additives and toxic phthalates. I had heard over the years that anyone with Chemical Sensitivites should stay away from Vinyl and now I understand why.
The good news is that some are beginning to remove these phthaltes from Vinyl flooring.
The best thing as always is to do a bit of research. There are more and more safe, nontoxic options becoming available in the marketplace. So no mater if you have allergies, sensitivities or you know someone who does our home environments can continue to become a little healthier. A good thing no matter how you look at it.
Sources: allergy-details.com
home.howstuffworks.com
momscleanairforce.org
I have never been a fan of wall to wall carpet and when you have allergies and animals I think you tend to like them even less.
I did learn a few interesting things this time around (yes you guessed it I've done this before).
Carpet underlay contains latex and if you are allergic to latex this can be a problem especially as the underlay ages and becomes worn the latex breaks down and forms a fine dust. Thankfully there are non-latex underlay options available.
Most carpets also contain VOC's (aka volatile organic compounds) like formaldehyde and stain repellents. Carpet also tends to act as a magnet, trapping all kinds of allergens like dust, dust mites, mold spores, dirt, pollen, pet dander, and other pollutants. So every time you walk on it or sit on it you disturb these allergens and they are released into the air.
The wood flooring on the other hand will allow for easier and more complete cleaning. As dust and other pollutants remain on the surface they are more easily removed.
As a side note I looked into the differences between Vinyl and Linoleum flooring. (We have had the wood look Linoleum flooring in the past.)
Linoleum is made from natural sources such as wood flour, pine resin, linseed oil and stands up very well and has been known to last for up to 40 years (according to "This Old House" article).
Vinyl can last up to 20 years but it's a synthetic petrolium based product that contain among other things additives and toxic phthalates. I had heard over the years that anyone with Chemical Sensitivites should stay away from Vinyl and now I understand why.
The good news is that some are beginning to remove these phthaltes from Vinyl flooring.
The best thing as always is to do a bit of research. There are more and more safe, nontoxic options becoming available in the marketplace. So no mater if you have allergies, sensitivities or you know someone who does our home environments can continue to become a little healthier. A good thing no matter how you look at it.
Sources: allergy-details.com
home.howstuffworks.com
momscleanairforce.org
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