BDU Laminate Flooring College™

Laminate flooring board:
A hypoallergenic flooring solution comin' "ach-OO"!

What you will learn: Limitations of carpet; laminate flooring board as an easily cleaned surface; the importance of laminate flooring board underlayment

One thing a homeowner knows is that keeping a clean house is a never-ending process, particularly for allergy sufferers. Apart from a constant vigil with a vacuum-cleaner, an easier way to make sure those allergy symptoms don’t ruin a living or working experience is to start with the right choice of flooring. For this, laminate flooring board can be a great option.

Carpeting can be an elegant flooring material when looking to create a welcoming atmosphere in a home, office, or even a school. There are drawbacks, however, which come built in to most carpeting due to its very nature. One major one is its tendency to trap various substances that can contribute to allergy symptoms. As these unwanted elements collect amongst the many fibers of the carpeting, such as dust mites, food crumbs, human and animal dander, the increasing severity of allergy symptoms are often a result. Dampness is also a potential problem, given that carpeting can more easily absorb moisture and hold it in, increasing the possibility of mold growth as well.

Laminate flooring board: A clean sweep

Laminate floors have recently become the ideal replacement floor for Do-It-Yourselfers at home, and for inexpensive yet elegant installations in offices. Thanks in large part to the ease of installation and magnificent wood-grain patterns, modern laminates have become extremely popular flooring options for many settings. In terms of general upkeep also, laminate flooring board is becoming more and more popular as a low maintenance flooring solution. While regular vacuuming of your current carpeting can help minimize the collection of allergens, the replacement of the carpet in favor of laminate flooring board can lead to a cleaner living area overall; there is considerably less potential for particles which cause allergies to become a danger. Due to the smooth, hard surface of laminate flooring board, common house dust, insects and animal hair particles are not as likely to find purchase on laminate flooring board as they would in the fibers of a carpet. Instead, dust simply sits on top where it is easily swept or vacuumed up.

First line of defense for laminate flooring board - underlayment

Underlayment padding with a moisture barrier is all you need to lay your laminate flooring board on a concrete surface. This underlayment padding will provide a barrier of moisture protection, which should always be a consideration for any flooring project. This will help ensure that the floor remains dry underneath the laminate flooring board itself which lessens the likelihood of mold growth. Not only will this address your concerns with allergies, but it will also protect your laminate flooring board from swelling and arching.

Dealing with your allergies can be uncomfortable. It’s a good idea to consult your local allergist or family doctor if you are seriously bothered by allergy symptoms. Of course, it’s always a healthy idea to move in a more hypoallergenic direction in your home or office environment, and a good way is to consider laminate flooring board as an alternative to traditional carpeting. Although carpeting can be a very suitable solution to complement décor and achieve a certain feel, laminate flooring board has the advantage of being less hospitable to airborne allergens and mites. It’s always worth considering the healthy alternative to potentially unhealthy situation. In the long run, your nose and sinuses may thank you.

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