A patterned floor gives a room more visual interest than a wide expanse of uniform color. But if the pattern repeats too obviously, the effect quickly becomes cluttered and unprofessional. The wider the variety in the floor’s pattern, the better the overall look. Here’s what you need to know to lay patterned flooring for the most professional results.

Standard Pattern Repeat vs. Drop Pattern Repeat

Although vinyl flooring is generally supplied in tiles or planks, it’s actually manufactured in large sheets and cut to size before sale. You can watch a video of the manufacturing process here.

How often the pattern repeats in the final planks depends on both the size of the original pattern and the size the planks are cut to. Typically, planks have a pattern repeat frequency of around one in five, although premium products may repeat once every eight planks or even less often.

For residential flooring, there are two main ways in which the pattern repeats, known as standard and drop.

– What is a Standard Pattern Repeat?

With a standard pattern repeat, the repetition of the design is uniform. The larger pattern will be laid out in squares or rectangles, and will repeat perfectly when two cuts of the same size are placed side by side. A standard repeat matches from side to side as well as from top and bottom.

This makes it easier to fit repeating patterns which is good for tiles, but less so for planks where a more natural look is desirable.

– What is a Drop Pattern Repeat?

With a drop pattern repeat, the pattern doesn’t match exactly on each side of the initial roll. To get a perfect match, you’ll need to move one piece upward or downward until the pattern edges align. This makes it more difficult to align patterned tiles, for example, but the extra random element makes disguising repetitions in planks much easier.

How to Calculate Square Footage for Flooring

You might think that calculating the square footage of your room will tell you how much flooring you need to buy. Unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated than that, as there’s a subtle difference between ordering for standard and drop pattern repeat.

Ordering Flooring With a Standard Pattern Repeat

For a standard pattern repeat, first measure the length and width of your room. For an example, let’s say your room is 15′ long by 20′ wide. Flooring roll comes in fixed widths, so if the roll you want is supplied in widths of 12′, you’ll need two widths of roll each 15′ long to cover the whole area.

Ordering Flooring With a Drop Pattern Repeat

If you’re using a single roll of drop patterned repeat flooring, then you can simply calculate the length you’ll need. But if you need more than one roll’s width, then you’ll need to allow for the pattern length if you want the rolls to match up.

The first roll you order should be the length of the floor space. The second and further ones should be the floor length plus the whole length of the pattern, in order to ensure you can line the rolls up before cutting them to length.

A Technique for Creating a Stagger Pattern as You Go

A professional tip for creating a stagger pattern is to sort your planks or tiles by color before starting to lay them down. This means that the next plank in the pile is always a close match, giving a more even appearance.

Different LVT Installations

There are three main types of luxury vinyl flooring: tile, plank, and sheet. Sheet is the easiest to fit by lining up the pattern, while a little more care needs to be taken with planks and tiles to get a professional-looking arrangement.

Luxury Vinyl Layouts and Patterns

While vinyl planks and tiles can be laid in any pattern you choose, there are several standards which are often used by professionals.

– Diagonal Pattern: This pattern repeats at a 45-degree angle, giving a dramatic and upscale look.

– Offset Pattern: This is the most common pattern, where tiles or planks are offset by around half their width.

– Stagger Pattern: With this pattern, the vinyl pieces are arranged alternately around a central line, giving an essentially random look. A stagger pattern is particularly effective with two-tone planks, where the same pack contains both light and dark tones of vinyl.

– Grid Pattern: This common pattern sets out planks or tiles evenly and symmetrically for a clean and modern look.

– Corridor Pattern: A variation on the grid pattern, with horizontal rows contained within vertical columns.

– Herringbone Pattern: The planks are fitted at 90-degree angles to give a zigzag appearance.

– Random Pattern: As the name suggests, with a random pattern the aim is to have no obvious repetition or order to the planks.

– Mixed-Width Pattern: This pattern lays down planks of varying widths, for a varied and non-repeating appearance.

Realistic Designs

Today’s vinyl planks can have a highly realistic look thanks to a modern technique of embossing new textural features over the original pattern. With these planks, the pattern is more random and easier to fit without repetition.

Pattern Pride

But whichever design and layout you choose, working to avoid a clearly repeating pattern will give you results you’ll be proud to have achieved yourself, without calling in a professional installer.

FAQs About Avoiding Pattern Repeats in Flooring

– What do I have to do before installation?

To achieve the most random pattern, open your boxes of planks and sort them by color. This will help you pick the right plank quickly when laying them down.

– How do I determine the direction in which to install my laminate flooring?

As a rule of thumb, laminate flooring should be laid to point toward either the main light source or the most-used entrance. If these directions conflict, choose the one that involves less cutting of the laminate boards.

– Do I have to keep staggering the planks in my laminate flooring installation?

Yes. When the patterns line up in adjacent planks, the result is jarring and unsightly. What’s more, if the seams also line up, the strength of the floor can be compromised.

– Should wood floors be horizontal or vertical?

Real wood floors should usually be laid parallel to the longest wall, to maximize the sense of space.

– Which direction do I put down my vinyl plank flooring?

Vinyl plank flooring can be installed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally with good results. However, many professionals recommend putting the planks down in the direction of the main light source for the most attractive finish.

– Which way do you lay vinyl plank flooring in multiple rooms?

Ideally, all connecting rooms should have the planks running in the same direction to give a unified look. If this isn’t possible, laying a transition strip at the doorway can help smooth out the difference.

The post How to Avoid Repeat Patterns in Flooring appeared first on Learning Center.

There are DIY home projects you can tackle to revamp your space no matter what your skill level. Keep reading to learn more about the DIY home projects you can start and finish while in self-isolation.

DIY Home Projects to Take on While Sheltering in Place

Sort Out Your Storage Area

Getting motivated to maintain and even improve your home can be difficult when you’re stuck in self-isolation for any length of time. That’s why starting with a project that’s not overly involved is a great way to get moving. What better way to start than with a little old-fashioned organizing?

Whether it’s your garage or a downstairs utility closet that’s packed to the brim, we’ve all got those spaces that we just try to avoid because they’re so full of clutter. Here are some tips to help you get those spaces under control while you’ve got the time at home:

• Take everything out of your space! Removing items from the garage, closet, attic or basement can help you start from scratch. Moving items to the other side of your work area can also help if you’re working in a large, more open space like a garage.
• Put aside any items that you don’t want anymore. Create different sections for donations, garage sale items and goods that are best recycled or discarded.
• Sweep and clean the area thoroughly. Make sure you check for mold if you’re working in a damp, dark space like an attic, basement or garage.
• Re-sort belongings that you want to keep if needed. For example, you might not want to keep those Halloween decorations mixed in with old family photo albums.
• Apply labels to boxes and containers before you put them back. Make sure your labeling is clear and legible so you won’t be confused later.

Tackle Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows

Air leaks can bring unwanted hot and cold outside air into your home. That can mean higher heating and cooling bills year round. Keep outdoor air at bay by patching up often overlooked areas around your home.

Here’s how you can make tackling air leaks one of your DIY home projects this year:

• Caulk vents and ducts to create a tight seal. Do this indoors and out.
• Apply weather stripping to windows and doors. Filling loose frames can also help reduce air leakage.
• Check skylights and other access points around your home for leaks. These often get overlooked.
• Don’t skip the attached garage. Cold and hot air can easily come in from your garage and get in your home if it is attached. Use weather stripping and ensure all windows are properly fitted.

Update Your Kitchen Cabinets

You spend a ton of time in your kitchen. When you’re isolated at home, you’re probably in there even more. Updating your kitchen cabinets can modernize your home and make your space feel fresh and bright again.

Here are a few ways to update your kitchen cabinets:

• Add new hardware. Replacement hardware can transform your kitchen in minutes, and all you need is a screwdriver in most cases. Go for a more modern look, shop for vintage-inspired hardware or mix and match for a truly eclectic style that shows off your personality. Keep the old hardware in case you want to switch back in a month or year.
• Sand and refinish natural wood cabinets. Wood cabinets can be brought back to life several times through sanding and refinishing. While this can be a complex job, it’s also a great project when you have time on your hands at home. Practice the process on finished scrap wood before working on your kitchen cabinets if you’ve never taken a project like this on before.
• Prime and paint. A little easier than sanding and refinishing your kitchen cabinets, priming and painting can be a fun process. Learning to use a paint sprayer can also give you more professional results and a better texture, particularly for more modern spaces.
• Give kitchen cabinets a deep cleaning. Not every kitchen project needs to be a major renovation. If you love your look, a serious deep cleaning can help you get rid of grime and make your kitchen look new again. Focus on areas around the stove first. These tend to have the most stuck-on gunk.
• Replace old cabinet liners and inserts. Cabinet liners and inserts can get worn, dirty and damaged in a hurry. Pull out the old paper or replace soft liners with new ones. You can do this in a day or even an afternoon.

Pro Tip:

Need another kitchen project after updating your cabinetry? Replacing old backsplash tile can have a dramatic impact in an aging kitchen. It’s one of the best DIY home projects for moderately experienced homeowners too.

Add an Accent Wall

Touching up your kitchen cabinets or going for an entirely new color scheme can breathe new life into your kitchen. It will also keep you busy for days, which is a major plus when you’re isolated at home. If you’re feeling handy with a paint brush, adding an accent wall next can help you spruce up your home even more.

Here are a few ways to create a lively accent wall in any room:

• Go for a bold, bright paint color that really makes a statement. Look to pick up other colors already in your home décor items like rugs, window treatments and art. Your existing flooring can also help you choose the right wall color for your room.
• Opt for a uniquely textured wall. A herringbone wood wall can add excitement and depth to your room. Tile and other hard materials can also add color and texture to spaces throughout your house.
• Include a new piece of art on your accent wall. Adding shelving can also help make a family space more functional.
• Create a chalkboard wall so your kids can add some color. You can go for a full chalkboard wall or just a section for drawing and writing messages.

Say Goodbye to Squeaky Floors

Everybody has a floor board or two that they step over because they know it squeaks. That stops today! Here are some tips to help you banish squeaky floor boards for good:

• Take note of where you are within your home. First floor squeaks are best addressed from below if you have access.
• Have somebody walk on the floor while you are below the floor boards. This can help you pinpoint the squeak so you can address it with minimal effort.
• Use a shim if there’s a gap between the subfloor and joist that is causing squeaking. Wood shims work well and can be put in place quickly and easily.
• Use a short wood screw to secure the squeaky wood plank to the subfloor. Ensure that the screw won’t go through the wood or cause a split at the top.
• Get rid of squeaks under carpet by cutting through the webbing and padding to access the subfloor. Use a screw to secure the subfloor to the joist below.

Get Your Outdoor Spaces Ready for Summer

You’ve been trapped inside a lot, but summer is on the horizon. Here are a few tips to help you get your deck, patio or backyard ready for summer weather that can’t come soon enough:

• Inspect your outdoor spaces for damaged wood boards or tile that needs to be replaced. Order materials to tackle repairs now.
• Clean off mold, moss and weeds around decks, patio and outdoor dining areas.
• Check for sunken patio pavers and walkway steps. Repair these in dry weather.
• Condition furniture made from materials like wood. Now is a great time to refinish older pieces that need a little TLC as well.
• Locate all of your outdoor cushions and furniture pieces. Give them a thorough cleaning so you’re ready to spend time outside as soon as it is warm.

The Perfect Time for DIY Home Projects

Self-isolation doesn’t have to be boring. With the right DIY home projects, staying at home with your family can actually be quite productive.

Need a little help with your DIY home projects? Reach out to the trained professionals at BuildDirect today. We can help you track down all of the materials you need and answer any questions about how to complete your project.

There’s no time like the present to dive in and get started! After all, you’re already at home, right?

The post Doable DIY Home Projects for Self-Isolation appeared first on Learning Center.

Why APA Rating is Important

Plywood is crafted of thin layers of wood veneer from offcuts of wood veneer boards. The glued and pressed construction of this material can make it extremely durable. The construction process, however, can cause a lot of variation between boards.

APA ratings are provided to certain plywood and OSB sheathing used for flooring, walls, and roof applications. In order to receive an APA rating, plywood needs to meet a certain quality standard. When the plywood comes from a wood mill that has become an APA member by undergoing audits and verification processes to ensure the quality of the sheathing they produce. The APA rating alone does not help you find the correct material for the job. Plywood comes in more than a dozen different thicknesses and more than twenty different grades, each with a specific purpose.

The Difference Between APA Underlayment Grades

The APA makes it easy to identify the quality of the underlayment panel using their grading system. The grading letters include A, B, C, and D. A is the most flawless of all the grades, featuring the fewest blemishes and the smoothest surface. From there, it progressively goes down with each letter, making D the grade with the most blemishes.

Two Letter System

Because these letters apply to the quality of a single side of the plywood, a two-letter combination is often used to let you know the grade of both sides of the wood. A panel can feature an A-grade on one side and a C on the reverse.

Exposure

In addition to offering a letter grading, the APA plywood underlayment also features an exposure rating. Exposure 1 plywood is graded for indoor use only and should experience minimal water exposure at most. Plywood with an Exterior rating is suitable for outside use with repeated water exposure. This rating doesn’t mean it has to be used outside. The Exterior rating makes it a great option for use in bathrooms and kitchens, as well.

Thickness

The final mark on the APA rating is the thickness of the plywood. When you’re using the plywood as an underlayment, look for one that is at least 11/32 inches thick.

Selecting & Handling APA Underlayment Plywood

The worst thing for plywood is moisture. As such, make sure to protect your APA plywood underlayment from moisture prior to installation. Bring them into the space where they will be installed and allow them to become acclimated with the temperature and humidity of the room for several days before installation. This will help to prevent any expansion or contraction that could cause issues down the road.

Our Top APA Underlayment Installation Tips

• Check the subfloor for squeaks before installing the final flooring. Installing the boards properly reduces squeaking and ensures a more soundproof installation of your flooring.
• Ensure the subfloor is even and installed with the correct fasteners and spacing.
• Install the underlayment grain perpendicular to the direction of the floor joists.

When to Use an APA Plywood Underlayment

With Certain Types of Flooring

Vinyl flooring and adhered carpet require plywood underlayment. This is because these materials can be unforgiving of any defects in the subfloor.

Condition of the Subfloor

The underlayment ensures a smooth and even surface for the flooring. If you have a well-installed subfloor or concrete subfloor free of dips or cracks, an additional plywood underlayment may not be necessary.

When Warranty Requires It

Some flooring types require a plywood underlayment to be in place in order for the requirements of the warranty to be met.

When You Anticipate Changing Out Flooring

Using an underlayment also helps to provide a layer of protection between the final flooring and the subfloor, making it easier to change out the floors in the future.

By choosing APA plywood underlayment for your flooring project, you’re ensuring that you start your project off with the right surface. The specific grading method used by APA makes it easy to find the right sheathing for under a living room floor or a master bathroom retreat. If you are unsure if you need underlayment for your flooring, speak with a BuildDirect expert.

The post Why APA Underlayment Plywood May Be Crucial to Your Project appeared first on Learning Center.

When building a new home or remodeling an existing home, flooring choices are everything. With pets in the home, this becomes even more important, because pets are just as hard, if not harder, than people on flooring surfaces. What are the best flooring for pets in the home? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of several types of flooring to help in the decision-making process.

Finding the Purrfect Flooring for Pets

Laminate Flooring

Due to the hardness of laminate flooring, pet owners may turn to it instead of traditional hardwood. While this may work to provide the décor people want, it can be difficult for pets, especially dogs, because they will slip and slide as they walk or run through the home. This will cause their hips to move in unnatural ways, which may cause damage to their bodies. This is pronounced in smooth, high gloss laminate floors and can be mitigated somewhat by choosing a laminate floor with an embossed or textured finish. Laminate won’t show scratches as easily as some other surfaces, but because they are slippery and uncomfortable to lie on it is not a great flooring for pets. Rugs are recommended throughout the home to help the pet if you choose laminate.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is an excellent flooring for pets for many different reasons. It’s harder than the hardest hardwoods, meaning it will stand up to more traffic. It won’t wear out, and it’s completely renewable. This makes it a good choice for those who are trying to be green. Bamboo is stain resistant, so people don’t have to worry about accidents or spills. Bamboo’s hardness will help save money when compared to flooring that will require repairs from scratches. For those who are trying to decide between using wood and vinyl flooring, choosing bamboo floors is a great compromise. If you choose bamboo snap lock flooring, the installation will be easy too.

Stone Tile Flooring

Stone is an amazing flooring for pets because it does not scratch easily, and scratches don’t show as they do in other types of flooring. When pets have accidents on the stone tile floor, there is much less reason to worry about how it will impact the flooring. With these two factors considered, this is a good choice for pet owners, but the floors are hard and cold so they are not very comfortable to lie on. However, you can use radiant heat to make it warmer. Consider using area rugs and pet beds to alleviate this problem.

Granite is the hardest of natural stones and is the best choice for scratch resistance. Softer stones such as marble, slate, and travertine may require somewhat more maintenance than granite, especially if they feature a polished finish.

Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Flooring

Similar to stone, porcelain or ceramic tile floors are is a good choice in terms of wear and tear for pets. It won’t scratch easily. If pets don’t manage to make it outside before relieving themselves, the urine won’t damage the condition of the floor as it would with hardwood. However, much like stone, the surface is hard and uncomfortable for pets to lie on, but rugs will help.

Vinyl Flooring

While many people wouldn’t think of vinyl flooring for pets, the new luxury vinyl flooring is an excellent choice. It’s great for small children, too! The flooring is scratch and stain resistant, low in allergens, easy to clean and maintain. It’s even quiet to walk on.

Carpet

When it comes to flooring for pets, carpet is likely the worst choice one can make. This is because it is easily damaged by pets. Even normal wear and tear on carpet in a pet-free home happens faster than with other flooring options. If carpet is the only choice because it is the most cost-effective option for home flooring, the best thing to do is choose a carpet without loops as pet nails can snag on the loops and cause the carpet to wear faster.

While budget and ease of installation will be factors impacting the flooring decisions of a home, taking time to consider the best flooring options for pets beforehand may save money in repairs and frustration in the long run. Cutting corners on flooring to save money is not a good choice if the flooring needs to be replaced in a few months or even a year due to the wear and tear from the pets.

The post What is the Best Type of Flooring for Pets? appeared first on Learning Center.

Before your installer starts working, they should document site conditions and share any potential new challenges with you. For example, a good wood flooring installer will confirm the condition, relative humidity, and moisture content of the floor. Documenting the acclimatization procedure of your new floor material is important information for any warranty.

Clear and open communication with your contractor will help you keep on top of your renovation project with no surprises.

Once your project is in progress, set up daily updates and communicate with your contractor consistently to find out if they’re progressing according to plan. Quality installers review their team’s work with you to address any concerns before accepting milestones or final payments. If everything meets or exceeds your expectations, it’s a great idea to rate your contractor’s work on review sites like TopInstallers.com to help others find a similar experience.

If you run into any problems with your installation, your main points of contact should be your installer and the product supplier. You should be able to resolve most issues in 3 steps:

1. Work with your installer to determine the root cause of the problem

Common causes may include: site preparation missteps, installation errors, product defects, accessory defects, environmental challenges, product acclimatization issues, inappropriate product for installation conditions, and excessive wear under normal use.

2. Contact those involved with the installation

Work through potential causes of defects with your installer first. Even if the root case is a product defect, it’s better to have the installer made aware that you’re having issues.

Contact the product retailer / distributor / manufacturer (escalate in that order) to share details of the problems you are having. Keep your description short, on point, and include quality images (use a good camera and ensure lighting conditions are suitable) so they can see what you’re concerned about and help you efficiently. Most businesses have policies and departments that handle these types of issues.

3. Bring in a third party inspector

An independent, third party inspector (from a nationally recognised association) can help confirm the source of the problem and is commonly required for warranty claims. Standard practice is for the homeowner to pay up front for the inspection and then seek reimbursement from the installer or product retailer once the cause of the defect has been confirmed.

Litigation

Legal action is beyond the scope of this article as most installation issues should be resolved through the steps above. Consult a lawyer if you believe that:

• The installation issue was caused by negligence or gross misrepresentation
• The installation issue directly caused significant damage elsewhere in your home
• There was personal injury involved in your claims
• You don’t think you will be able to reach a negotiated agreement on your own

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A bit of research will help ensure you pick the right contractor for your renovation.

 Step 1: Search for installers in your area

You can find certified installers by using local search tools, or searching national or state association directories. Here are some great resources:

• National Directories and Review Sites:
  • buildzoom has profiles on most licensed contractors in the USA
  • The Blue Book focuses on general contractors and builders
  • Yelp focuses on restaurants and spas but has renovation categories too
  • Angie’s list and HomeAdvisor have profiles on a range of local service providers

Step 2: Shortlist and get estimates from 3 different contractors

The best installers will address your key priorities. Price, availability, state licenses, certification, insurance and strong references tend to be the most important factors in finding a quality installer. To hire the best candidate, request bids (in writing) from at least 3 installers and use this as an opportunity to review their communication, timing and professionalism. This is also a great time to ask questions to ensure you both understand the scope of your project.

Step 3: Rank, choose, confirm availability, and hire your top pick

Professional installers should provide you with a quote/estimate in a timely manner, and clearly communicate their plan, key challenges, and all costs associated with the project. Quotes should include comparable specifications, labor, any installation materials or supplies provided by the installer, and clear project timing.

It is also important to create clear payment terms with agreed-upon milestones. Your contract or quote should include these terms and any penalties for missing deadlines.

A note on price: The best installers won’t necessarily offer the lowest bid, and installation prices will vary by region, product, and experience/ reputation. Price is also influenced by how easily an installer can schedule your project with their team. Find out more information on the factors that influence the cost of an installation here: https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/how-much-does-flooring-installation-cost/

Following these three steps will set you on right path to finding the best professional installer for your project.

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While many homeowners opt to complete their own renovation projects, not everyone has the time, skills, strength or patience to install their own building materials. If you’re on the fence wondering if a DIY or professional installation is right for you, it’s best to weigh out the pros and cons of both options.

Who Can Install Faster?

Since professional installers should be masters at their trade, they usually work much faster than DIYers. Knowing the necessary steps they need to take to complete a renovation project, professional installers will hit the ground running with no procrastination or hesitation. Also, they often work in teams to complete projects by a specific deadline.

This doesn’t mean that hiring a professional installer is the only option for completing a home improvement project on time. Although DIYers often start out slow, many can end up increasing their speed as they work through their project. Fast learners may even get up to “pro” speed by the end of their renovation and be able to use their new skills on their next project.

How About the Cost?

One of the biggest objections many people have to hiring a professional installer is the added cost of labor. To stay on budget, many homeowners choose to install themselves. Although this is a great option for many, hiring an installer (especially if you have little renovation experience) can actually save you money in the long run.

Professionals will recognize complications and mistakes earlier on, and will take measures to correct problems before they become more expensive and time consuming. They will also arrive with the proper tools to complete the job and waste less product because they know how to make accurate cuts and floor plans. When setting a project’s budget, many homeowners acknowledge that hiring a professional installer is a smart, long-term investment for their property.

Looking for Quality Craftsmanship?

Since professional installers are trained to complete their work to meet high industry standards, they won’t leave a job until everything is complete and problem free. Their experience means that they’ll catch more quality concerns than less seasoned DIYers, and complete your remodel to a level that matches the rest of your home. When hiring a professional installer, it’s a good idea to look for one that will warrant their work for 1-2 years, and will help you if any problems arise after installation.

What Challenges Come with DIY Installations?

While many DIY projects run smoothly with few hiccups, unforeseen complications have the potential to derail your project if you don’t have enough experience to deal with them. If you’re unsure how to approach things like odd shaped rooms, stairs, room junctions, and environmental concerns, getting help from a trained professional will save you headaches later on.

It’s worth noting that some installations are more labor intensive and challenging than others. Projects that require a lot of surface preparation, heavy lifting, nailing, leveling, sealing, and finishing are all physically demanding tasks that some homeowners might not be prepared for. For example, certain types of flooring are better suited for DIY installations than others – click-lock laminate floor is much faster and easier to install than nail down hardwood.

How Do You Find a Reliable Installer?

These days, there are more search and rating tools than ever to help you find the right professional installer. Just a few years ago, your local Yellow pages or a Google search would have been the most popular options. Now, rating communities like Houzz, and HomeAdvisor are set up to help you find and connect with quality, local professionals. You can also consult professional associations, which typically have directories of their membership; state and province specific Contractor Boards are also great resources as they mandate licenses, permits, insurance and bonds for home renovation professionals.

Whether you choose to hire a professional installer or not, it’s a smart idea to do your homework so that your renovation project turns out for the best.

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Common Allergens

Common allergens and asthma triggers found inside almost any home include dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Reducing the places where allergens can settle and hide improves the air quality in your home and can reduce symptoms like watery, itchy eyes and many respiratory and sinus ailments.

• Dust mites droppings, body parts, and husks can be found in any kind of fabric in the home, including carpet. Dust mites are microscopic insects too small to be seen by the naked eye, but they are unavoidable…and everywhere.
• Mold can grow on any surface where there is moisture, including flooring in areas that are frequently damp, like bathrooms and kitchens.
• Warm-blooded pets shed animal dander (skin flakes and hair) and otherwise contribute to allergies by salivating, urinating, defecating, and carry things in from the yard, like sticks and grass.

In addition to natural allergies like dust and mold, some flooring contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can also trigger allergies in some people. Exposure to VOCs can trigger asthma attacks and is associated with symptoms including headaches, eye irritation, coughing, unexplained fatigue, and respiratory distress. When choosing any kind of flooring for your home, look for low VOC or VOC-free products and discuss the use of VOC-free adhesives with your flooring contractor.

Below we have compiled all of the best flooring for allergies, and how they can reduce allergens in your home.

The Best Flooring for Allergies

Cork Floors

Cork flooring is an excellent choice on several levels. Cork is antimicrobial due to the presence of suberin, a naturally occurring substance that reduces growth of mold, mildew, bacteria, and other allergens. The hard surface makes it easy to clean with a dust mop, and even though it is a porous material, the finish prevents pockets where allergens can collect.

Hardwood Floors

One of the most beautiful and desirable types of flooring, hardwood is a great choice for people sensitive to allergens. The hard surface leaves no room to hide for dust mites, and it cleans easily, leaving a dust and hair-free surface. Be sure to choose one with a non-toxic hardwood finish.

Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring is typically manufactured by gluing together layers of wood composite. Adhesives used during the manufacturing process may contain VOCs that can trigger allergies.

Always check product documentation or ask a salesperson for the emissions rating of the product. Laminate floors that are CARB Phase 2 compliant or have a European formaldehyde emission standard of E1 or E0 are generally the best choices. However, the hard surface, much like hardwood, is easy to clean and does not harbor or hide dust and dander.

Bamboo Floors

Bamboo is an excellent flooring choice for people with allergies for several reasons. It offers all the surface properties of hard flooring and won’t provide a cozy home for dust mites or dander. It’s water-resistant, and is less likely to retain moisture than traditional hardwood. But like laminates, manufacturing is important. Make sure you check to be sure the manufacturing process is low VOC before purchasing bamboo flooring and verify that any installation adhesives are free of VOCs.

Stone Tile

Not all stone flooring is allergy friendly. As a rule, smooth stone will be much less likely to harbor allergens than a stone that is porous in nature and has a rougher edge silhouette. Highly polished marble and granite are excellent choices, but natural-looking stone with a rough finish and uneven surface can provide pockets for mold and other allergens. Using an underlayment moisture barrier like cork or foam rubber will help stop mold from developing.

Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are some of the best choices for allergy prevention. They’re easy to care for and dust accumulation is easy to spot and clean. For most effective allergy reduction, make sure it is installed with VOC-fee adhesives. When using any tile, make sure the grouting is in good repair to prevent moisture from seeping beneath the floor into the subfloor where mold can flourish.

Vinyl Flooring

Much like cork flooring, luxury vinyl flooring offers all the benefits of a hard surface; easy cleaning and easy care and no pockets to collect moisture, mold, or mites and an antibacterial agent built into the manufacturing process. However, in the case of vinyl, you always get what you pay for. Lower end vinyl flooring is often manufactured with VOCs, making emissions from the material itself an allergen risk. Be sure to invest in luxury vinyl if you go this route.

Carpet

Carpeting can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers. It is the ultimate environment for dust mites and dander, and tends to retain a high level of moisture, making it a perfect situation to aid in the growth of mold and mildew in the carpet, padding, or adjacent walls. If you want carpet, clean frequently with a good quality HEPA filtered vacuum, and choose a carpeting manufactured to be mold and mildew resistant and VOC-free. Look for similar qualities in the carpet padding. If carpeting gets wet, extract the water immediately and keep the temperature cold until the carpet and pad are dry to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.

Every floor covering has pros and cons when it comes to minimizing allergens in the home. Underlayment and padding should be considered along with the flooring itself, but the best way to inhibit the growth of allergens in hard flooring is to ensure that the floor is sealed against moisture by grouting or glue, and all floors should be kept clean and dust-free.

Do you and your family suffer from allergies? What do you do to help reduce issues?

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