Impact of Hardwood Floor on Indoor Air Quality

03/17/2021

Most of us pay a lot of attention to safety while deciding on our food choices. However, we often tend to ignore the fact that the flooring surfaces in our homes have a serious impact on our health. Latest studies indicate that the indoor air quality of our homes have a direct correlation with the materials present in our floors.

We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors. This is why it is important for us to be selective about the furnishings and other materials we bring home. It has been found that our indoor environments can be improved significantly by installing hardwood flooring. They don’t harbor allergens, microorganisms, and pesticides from external sources. Also, they improve air quality by minimising the accumulation of mold, dust, and animal dander.

Flooring Materials and their Impact:

Indoor air quality may be defined as the quality of air within an indoor space. It has a significant and direct impact on our well being, comfort levels, as well as general health. The quality of indoor air tends to change because of several factors such as outdoor pollution, gases, humidity, temperature, ventilation, etc. Let us now take a look at how indoor air quality is impacted by our flooring preferences.

• Presence of contaminants can cause serious damage to our indoor environments. Pet dander, dust, and other allergens are very easily trapped within floorings such as carpet. These allergens may exist indoors or may be brought in from the outdoors. If there is build-up of these allergens, the occupants of the indoor space may suffer from asthma attacks and allergy symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended that we opt for floorings that are easier to keep clean.
• Also, certain types of floorings contain extremely high levels of VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. These harmful chemicals are found in abundance in floor coverings, furnishings, paint, and drywall.  Compared to others, some materials have relatively lower VOC content. Flooring materials with low-VOC certifications make use of non-toxic underlayment and adhesives to prevent mold growth.  

Some Healthy Flooring Options:

If you are really serious about maintaining good indoor air quality, here are some great options for you.

• Hardwood floorings are extremely durable, beautiful, and timeless. In terms of indoor air quality management, these floors are great because they do not trap contaminants. Also, hardwood floors bring a natural element to your house. In a less tangible way, hardwood floor improves indoor air quality simply because it is a carbon-neutral product.
• Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is another option because these water resistant floors are extremely easy to clean. Therefore, there is no need to worry about trapped pollutants impacting your indoor air quality.
• Laminate floors can also be used for this purpose because these floors are easier to maintain and don’t harbor bacteria.

Considering all these options, it is clear that hardwood flooring is the only option that offers excellent durability, value, and unique aesthetic appeal, while protecting us from harmful contaminants.

At Enoak, we offer an exquisite range of authentic hardwood flooring options for you. To suit your personality and preferences, we have a wide spectrum of styles and finishes. Book a tour of our showroom today to find out more.