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This article was generously contributed by: Green Building Blocks

I'm designing a family/play room for a family with four children, two of whom have severe allergies. What are my best options for flooring that's durable, comfortable, keeps noise to a minimum and won't contribute to allergy issues?
Submitted by: Beth H., Morristown, NJ

Answer
By Kindon Mills
Residential designer, writer, and speaker
Holbert and Associates Architects

Where allergies and kids are concerned, the most important question to ask is "How clean is the floor?" By clean I mean both free of dust, pet hair and other environmental allergens--and low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can attack an already weakened immune system and trigger immune reactions.

The best flooring for those with allergies or chemical sensitivities is a hard surface such as wood or tile, which can be washed with water and a mild cleaner. Don't use low pile carpets or carpet tiles--they absorb allergens that even the most powerful vacuum can’t eliminate. Three choices for clean (in the larger sense), low-VOC flooring are:

• Pre-finished hardwood such as bamboo, which is also a renewable material. Pre-finishing wood not only keeps the chemical finish process out of the home, it also provides a better, more durable finish. Keep in mind the material to be used under the wood as well. Standard flooring felt may contain chemical fungicides or urea formaldehyde. Some readily available alternatives are cork underlayment or wool flooring felt.
• Stone and ceramic tile which are virtually free of VOCs and are highly durable. Both are attractive, unexpected surfaces that are easily swept or mopped, and are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, designs and textures.
• Natural resilient flooring such as cork tile or natural linoleum (not vinyl tile). While these provide better sound reduction than wood or hard tile, they are not always appropriate. For example, because of dampness and the potential for mold, cork is not recommended for basement applications. And linoleum uses linseed oil--a common allergen to those with chemical allergies--as a binder.

For sound control, use natural wool or cotton area rugs, which also make playing on hard floors more comfortable, and can be removed and thoroughly cleaned.

Some online sources for natural materials and area rugs are:

The Green Building Blocks Product Guide: it has over 1500 clean, green, and independently-screened products, identified by local source, helping you reduce the environmental cost of long-haul shipping.

The Environmental Home Center

Greenmaker Building Supply

Green Building Supply

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