Carpet is an appealing floor choice
At some point most of us dream of updating or renovating the family home. If you are considering replacing your flooring you may wonder what's the most suitable flooring to withstand a family.
Whether you need more room for more children, or you're getting rid of the 70s kitchen, renovating your house will raise a lot of questions. If flooring is one thing on your list, this article is aimed to help with those choices.
For flooring carpet is an appealing floor choice for a number of reasons. It is soft underfoot, it creates warmth, and it is a comfortable place for your baby to spend a good part of their day! With that in mind we asked the experts what to look for when choosing a family-friendly carpet.
Which type of carpet is most suitable for babies and children?
The best fibre would be a nylon or solution dyed nylon carpet (when the color is added to the nylon while it is in a liquid state), given their high stain resistance and long lasting durability properties. Some nylon and solution dyed carpets have up to 15 year wear guarantee and stain resistance guarantees – so perfect for all the fun and spill of newborns through childhood. Carpet also is the softest flooring for babies to crawl around on and for kids to play/wrestle on.
Be sure to ask what the guarantees do and don't cover. Also ask for advice on removing stains.
If carpets are stain treated can I get a really light colour, or will it be high maintenance? With kids in mind, what should I look for when I choose a carpet?
Lighter colours always show up marks, so perhaps go for a neutral colour that has a pattern or what is referred to as a ‘textured’ carpet.
With patterned carpets, marks don’t tend to show up as much. The best carpet is probably an old fashioned ‘loop berber’ as the coloured flecks and the loops hide any trace of marks (depending on the severity of course!). Choose a carpet that has a high wear rating, so it can withstand the amount of ‘foot traffic’ of little and big feet!
What other flooring options are worth considering for a family?
Other flooring options available are in the hard flooring category and include products such as timber, laminate and vinyl. They are all low maintenance and can be cleaned easily. They are tougher (and colder) for babies to crawl on, so it might be worth getting them in non-living areas.
Will I get what I pay for if I buy an expensive carpet?
Yes, they are longer lasting and have higher wearing capabilities.
Still have more questions? Head to Essential Baby's Home, Garden & Renovating forum where you can discuss more options and decisions and look at pics of members' renovations.
