A home’s floor takes a lot of wear and tear, particularly in busy households with pets and children. This means choosing a flooring that looks great and can withstand the high amount of foot traffic and use is essential for families. Houses with young children also need their floors to be safe and comfortable as little ones find their feet and move around.
Parents’ budgets are also tight, meaning they need a floor which is affordable to buy and install, as well as offering good value for money over the long term. Weighing up all these different needs can be challenging, which is why we’ve outlined all the different types of family-friendly flooring available.
What Makes Flooring Family Friendly?
There are a few key features individuals need to look for when choosing flooring for their family home. These include:
- Durability: from moving back and to along hallways every day to children rolling around on their toy cars in the living room, floors in family homes need to be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear
- Water resistance: spills happen, particularly in kitchens and areas where children will be eating, and parents don’t want to be worrying about their floor warping when exposed to moisture
- Underfoot comfort: as little ones find their feet, having a cushioned subfloor is particularly important to support their sensitive soles and protect them as they fall
- Easy-to-clean: parents lead busy lives, meaning their floor needs to offer trouble-free cleaning and maintenance so they can keep it looking its best
- Affordability: to make the most of a household budget, new floors need to be low cost to buy and install as well as being hardwearing enough to last for years
By weighing up these different factors, families can narrow down the best flooring options available.
Best Type of Flooring for Kids
There are several floor types which households with children might consider installing. This offers them plenty of choice when finding an option that suits both their interior decor and lifestyle.
Real Wood
For households with slightly older children, real wood flooring is a stylish, premium option which is both practical and adds value to a home. When well-maintained and cared for, this floor type can also last for a long time. Opting for lacquered and engineered planks will offer greater resistance to scratches, water and wear and tear, making them more durable as well as looking great.
However, the hardness and slippiness of real wood floors mean they’re not as appropriate for households with young pets and children. To minimise the likelihood of warpage or damage, you might also opt to lay this flooring type in lower traffic areas such as bedrooms. It’s also not recommended for bathrooms due to the moisture present.
Laminate
Available with a range of effects and colours, laminate is also one of the most affordable flooring options. This makes it suitable for a range of household interiors and budgets. Highly durable and low maintenance, it can be laid across most areas of the home and easily cleaned with a hoover and lightly damp mop. Resistant to scratches, adults don’t need to worry about pets or children playing with toys.
By choosing thicker planks (between 10mm and 12mm) and using underlay, it can also be made more comfortable underfoot, ideal for younger children. Making sure you have water-resistant options is also a good idea for high traffic areas like hallways and kitchens.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
Easy to install with glue down or click vinyl options, waterproof and heavy duty LVT is also available making it suitable for use throughout family homes. You don’t need to worry about spills or cleaning, just hoover and mop with ease. With plenty of colours and effects available, you won’t be short of choices to enhance your interiors.
Although LVT is more expensive than other flooring types, its durability (when installed correctly) means it will offer a good return on investment. Its construction also includes a layer of padding, meaning it's comfortable underfoot and more suitable for younger children and pets.
Vinyl
Another affordable option, vinyl flooring also comes in many different colours and effects, meaning households can get a premium look without a huge bill. Laid in a single sheet, it's also easy for DIY enthusiasts to install. By preparing the subfloor correctly and using an underlay or acoustic and cushion vinyl, it will also offer good levels of comfort.
However, as it is a single sheet, if any rips or other damage happens, the whole floor may need replacing. If you’re laying it in kitchens, bathrooms or utility rooms, you can also find water-resistant options to protect against splashes and spills. Plus, if this does happen, you can simply brush and mop the dirt away.
Flooring Types to Avoid
Especially with young or school-age children, you want to avoid any floors that are hard and slippery. This makes tiles a no-no in many family households, as they have no cushioning and can cause a hard impact if a little one falls. Fallen items or toys can also cause cracks in these floors. Although many options are water-resistant, they become a hazard when wet, which makes them unsuitable for busy households.
Many families may be tempted to choose carpet for their home, as it’s soft, grippy and comfortable. However, dirt and spills cling to these materials and become difficult to clean. Alongside regular hoovering, they’ll also need deep cleaning to remove stubborn marks. In high traffic areas, fibres can also quickly become threadbare and lose their plush, luxurious appearance, meaning they won’t offer as good a return on investment as harder floors.
Extra Touches to Child-Proof Your Flooring
Choosing flooring of an appropriate colour will make dirt, debris and scratches less obvious and ensure it complements your interiors, even if you decide to redecorate. Neutral, slightly darker colours and effects are recommended for this reason, particularly if you decide to use the same type of flooring throughout your house.
To give a little extra cushioning and protection for both your little one and the floor, using rugs and play mats gives them a space to enjoy their toys safely. Usually made from rubber or fabric, they’re easy to clean, grippy underfoot and will cushion any falls or dropped items. This will help your child find their feet while stopping your floor from getting scratched or damaged.
Get Your Family-Friendly Flooring
Finding a floor that’s affordable, looks great and suitable for children can be a challenge. Factory Direct Flooring experts can help you talk through the different options and find the best options for your home. Contact the team today to get their advice.