When choosing flooring for your home with children the most important factor to consider is the durability of the floor. Does the floor get damaged easily by moisture? is it scratch resistant? Is the floor too hard to hurt the kids or too fragile to break on impact?
Other factors to consider when choosing floors with young children are:
- Does the floor get too hot or too cold in extreme weather conditions?
- Does the floor need extra padding or underlayment?
- How comfortable is the floor?
- How easy is it to replace any damaged areas?
- How easy is it to install?
- Can it support a lot of foot traffic without getting damaged?
- How easy is it to clean?
- Does the floor get easily stained?
- Is the floor slippery when wet?
- What is the overall cost of purchase and installation?
Once you are able to figure out all the above factors, it is easy to choose from the wide variety of floors available in the market.
The most commonly used floors for homes with children are Vinyl planks, Laminate floors, Carpets, Cork flooring, Hardwood floors, Rubber flooring, and Bamboo floors.
Laminate Floors
Laminate floors are ideal for homes with both pets and kids in that, First, the floors can withstand high footrails with minimal or no damage at all. Second, Laminate floors do not scratch or discolor easily and are very easy to clean.
It is also much more affordable than hardwood flooring and comes in a variety of colors and styles to blend with any décor. Laminate flooring also won’t splinter or crack like wood floors can, making it a safer choice for kids and pets.
| Pros of Laminate flooring | Cons of Laminate flooring |
| Can withstand high foot traffic | It is prone to water/ Moisture damages |
| Do not get cold or hot in extreme weather conditions | |
| It is easy to clean and dirt or any spillage | |
| laminate floors are very comfortable to walk on | |
| It is easy to install | |
| Has a high-end look for a relatively cheaper price | |
| Laminate floors are very durable and easy to maintain |
Rubber Floors
Rubber floors offer resilient and shock-absorbing properties for children especially when they are crawling and learning to walk.
They are slip-resistant, shock-absorbent, and resistant to wear and tear. Rubber floors are also easy to clean, as most dirt and spills can be wiped away with a damp cloth. Additionally, rubber floors are hypoallergenic and do not absorb moisture, making them an ideal choice for those with allergies or asthma.
| Pros of Rubber Floors | Cons of Rubber Floors |
| Rubber floors are slip resistant which makes them great for reducing accidents. | They are unattractive |
| They are shock absorbent | They are expensive |
| It is easy to clean and maintain rubber floors | |
| They are non-toxic | |
| Rubber floors are durable | |
| They are waterproof and thus not prone to water and moisture damage | |
| They are soundproof | |
| Do not get cold or hot in extreme weather conditions |
Area Rugs and Carpets
In cases where there are existing floors that are not suitable / a danger to kids such as ceramic tiles, Area rugs, and carpets can be overlayed to provide extra padding and cushion on the floor. Carpets also provide insulation and noise reduction, which can help create a comfortable and peaceful environment for children.
| Pros | Cons |
| They insulate the room | They are difficult to install and uninstall |
| Carpets are relatively inexpensive compared to rubber and vinyl floors | They are easily damaged by moisture |
| They are available in a wide variety of colors and textures, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your home. | They are hard to repair and often require replacement when damaged |
