​Flooring Options For All Abilities (Part Two)

In part one, we expanded on the characteristics to look for when searching for flooring options for all abilities. Traits such as maneuverability, durability, and aesthetics all play into making the final decisions on flooring. In today’s post we’ll dive further into flooring types and options and which type is best for each room. Find out how hardwood, commercial, slip-resistant, and carpet make a difference in a universal home design.

At Floorguard, we’re here to serve customers of all abilities and help them find a flooring option crafted perfectly to there needs. Whether you’re in a wheelchair and need slip-resistant flooring in the bathroom or want a more modernized look in your living space, Floorguard has an epoxy floor coating for you. Follow along for an in-depth look at flooring design for accessible homes.

Flooring Design For Accessible Homes

Universal design that complements all abilities is the goal for every home, and the correct flooring can make life more maintenance-free, easier, and safer. We touched on some characteristics to look for and now we’ll point out specific flooring options that work well for all abilities.

Floors for durability - Any flooring that requires major upkeep and maintenance should be avoided — for anyone! No one wants to spend their free time cleaning the floors. The general consensus is that hardwood flooring is one of the best options for people in wheelchairs and those who use walkers. Not only is hardwood beautiful, it’s relatively maintenance-free. When selecting a hardwood floor, the harder the wood, the better.

Ceramic tiles are great for water absorption compared to hardwood, but can create a slippery surface if the tiles are too large. Larger tiles are also more prone to cracking and breaking under the weight of a wheelchair and smaller tiles are harder to clean because you have to get in-between the various grout spaces. If you’re thinking of ceramic in the kitchen, look for smaller tiles to avoid hazardous situations, but also consider the maintenance they bring.

Commercial flooring is also a great option, as it comes in various colors and its durability is unmatchable. Wear-and-tear from adaptive devices stand the test of time with this option. Laminate floors are another popular option, and they mimic natural materials for a beautiful look. Laminate flooring is a more cost-effective option to hardwood floors and are additionally stain-resistant and easier to maintain than hardwood.

If you’re looking for something a little different with more of a modern style, epoxy floor paint from Floorguard is a wonderful alternative to hardwood or commercial flooring. It was designed to withstand the traffic of vehicles, so it fares very well for adaptive devices.

Slip-resistant flooring - Having slip-resistant flooring in all rooms is a luxury, but they’re a necessity in the bathroom and kitchen spaces. Slip-resistant floorings come with a rating called the coefficient of friction, and the higher the number, the more slip-resistant the flooring is. Large tiles tend to be less slip-resistant, while smaller tiles — no larger than 2” X 2” — should be used in an accessible home.

Carpet in a universal home - Carpet is more difficult to move in and around and is less durable, but it isn’t necessarily out of the question. In a universal home with hard flooring, rugs are often added to bring warmth and relaxation. Rugs, however, for a person in a wheelchair or someone who has balance or vision issues, can become a tripping hazard. Avoid carpet in the bathroom and kitchen as they can cause issues such as molding because of the moisture exposure.

Walker and wheelchair friendly carpet is recommended to be low pile, less than a quarter of an inch. Keep it smooth and non-textured so the walker legs do not catch on any loops and for maximum wheelchair propulsion. Agani, commercial grade is much more durable and stain-resistant.

Finding a flooring that is both aesthetically pleasing and suitable for all abilities takes a little more research, but the options that are available marry the two beautifully.

For the best flooring in the industry that stands up to hardwood aesthetics, the slip-resistance of small tiles, the durability of commercial flooring, and the inviting feel of carpet, turn to Floorguard for epoxy floor paint and coatings to transform any room and provide alluring functionality.