The look you're most interested in achieving will really determine which option best suits your needs. As there are a variety of styles, we won't be able to cover them all, but we did want to highlight top trends and options for each room in your house. If you do not see a style you want to know more about, contact us, and we can help answer any questions.
Non-Slip Flooring for Bedrooms and Living Rooms:
Carpet and cork are both great options for these areas. Not only are they non-slip, but they have additional benefits which we cover below.
Carpeting is a classic choice for bedroom and living flooring for numerous reasons:
- Dampens sound
- Controls temperature
- Budget-friendly
- Tons of options in both pattern and texture
If you're concerned with falls, carpet is the way to go for these low-traffic areas especially since there is additional padding installed between the subfloor and carpet. However, if you have an elderly family member in your home, you might want to opt for low pile carpeting as it's easier to push a walker or wheelchair.
Cork flooring is becoming increasingly popular. While it's a bit more expensive than carpet, it does have its own set of benefits:
- Eco-friendly
- Looks similar to hardwood
- Soft under foot
- Naturally non-slip
The softness of cork depends on the thickness you select so it can be as soft or as firm as you like. One thing to be aware of, if you decide on cork, heavy furniture can leave an indentation.
Non-Slip Flooring for Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Mudrooms
For areas of the house with high-traffic and the possibility of water via a spill or being dragged in from the outdoors, there are two types of flooring that you'll want to consider, ceramic tile and vinyl. These options are best for protecting the subfloor from water damage. Your first thought might be, how can tile be non-slip? Well, it's not all tiles, there are a few specific options that work best.
Ceramic tiles are a popular choice for homes due to their easy maintenance and aesthetic. If going the tile route, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- More grout lines equal more traction. Because of this, you will want to opt for smaller tiles.
- Opt for a textured surface as opposed to a polished surface, especially if you are going to be using large tiles.
Vinyl flooring is durable and requires minimal maintenance. It also can be made to look like real wood, stone, or tile without needing to scrub tile grout lines. For rooms like the bathroom (or anywhere where there might be standing water), sheet vinyl might be the best option because:
- It can be cut to fit any measurements without joints or spaces,
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This keeps moisture and dirt from seeping into the subfloor.
- With vinyl planks or tile, there are seams, so there is a chance of water getting through.
Another factor to keep in mind, no matter the flooring, is cleanliness. Whether it's grease in the kitchen, dirt in the mudroom or the ability to spill fabric softener in the laundry room, dirt build-up will only add to the slipperiness of your floor.
Note, all floors can become less slippery with the use of rugs or carpet squares. Just something to consider if you have your heart set on a floor that doesn't provide the traction you need.
Do you still have questions? Our flooring specialists will help you choose the best fit that will meet both your functional and design needs. Schedule a free estimate today.
Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/home-garden/home-improvement/info-09-2010/choose_comfortable_kitchen_flooring.html
https://www.thespruce.com/the-best-flooring-for-senior-citizens-1314944
https://www.consumerreports.org/flooring/right-type-of-flooring-for-every-room/
