A discussion regarding whether or not to install carpet in your children’s room
There are several pros and cons to having a carpet in the room. Carpet is soft and feels good underfoot and saves your precious feet from the hardness of the floor. On the other hand, it attracts dust and dust can easily get trapped in the carpets, along with pet dander and dirt. Carpets are an affordable option as compared to replacement of any flooring. The downside to carpets, however is that, they release dangerous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Despite the long debates whether or not it is wise to install carpets in your children’s rooms, it is still a very popular choice to be used. This article provides some excellent and detailed information on the pros and cons of installing carpets in your children’s bedroom. Now the important question is, are the carpets eco-friendly and safe to use, especially in the kids’ rooms? VOCs are basically chemicals that can be emitted from numerous things in the room, including upholstery, flooring, paint and carpets in the room. According to the experts, the VOC emissions from the new carpets will be high at the time of installation but will decline rapidly after 2 – 3 days of installations of carpets. There are some carpets which have very low level of VOC content and can be used as a flooring options for the children’s bedroom. In addition to release harmful and toxic VOCs, carpets also generate a lot of waste during production. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), every year more than 4 billion pounds of carpet enter the solid waste stream in the U.S.
Read the complete article to learn more about this!
Is Carpet Child-Friendly?
Now let’s ask a basic question: Is carpet a good option for kids? As it turns out, this question isn’t as easy to answer as you might think. Carpeting has many qualities that make it a great choice for children’s rooms. Obviously it’s a soft choice, and one that is ideal for little ones who take frequent tumbles when learning to walk. Also, carpet creates traction, which cuts down on slipping/falling incidents. Plus, carpet can be a super stylish option when combined with chic area rugs, as shown below.
In addition, carpet is a quiet option, as it cushions the space and cuts down on noise. A bonus for parents, as we all know that children’s play time can be loud! No wonder carpeting is used in so many playrooms!
But what about the potential of carpeting to trap dust, allergens and chemicals? This is a valid concern, as kids, particularly babies and toddlers, spend a large amount of time crawling/playing on the floor. There’s no denying that dirt, dust mites, pathogens, pet dander and even pesticides easily become trapped in carpet. Regular cleaning is essential, including deep cleaning.
Experts such as the U.S. Green Building Council recommend options such as eco-friendly wood, linoleum and cork over carpeting, but they also bring up the point that if carpeting is already installed, it’s likely safer to thoroughly clean it on a regular basis rather than rip it up. After all, ripping up carpet can release the substances you’re trying to keep out of the air.
Don’t assume that all carpeting is packed with VOCs and that all hardwood options are environmentally friendly. There are eco-friendly carpeting options that are actually less hazardous than cheap hardwood selections. Hardwood can contain concerning levels of formaldehyde. This is where researching flooring manufacturers and asking for Material Safety Data Sheets comes in handy. And even if you opt for a non-carpet flooring option, pay just as much attention to the area rugs you select, as these can have the same health concerns as wall-to-wall carpeting.
Author: Kate Simmons
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