Allergy Sufferers: Ways to Avoid Carpet Yet Have Soft, Comfortable Flooring

Allergy and asthma sufferers are keenly aware of indoor (and outdoor) air quality. General advice regarding reducing exposure to indoor allergens abounds. Indeed, over the years, many commonplace home furnishings have become tainted, whether deserved or not, by a perception that they contribute to allergy problems. General advice regarding reducing exposure abounds. Among them are mattresses and indoor carpeting, each often portrayed as dust, dust mite , or other allergen magnets.

Homeowners desiring to eliminate carpeting, either for aesthetic or health-related concerns, often face a quandary. While options such as hardwood, laminate, or ceramic tile offered maintenance advantages, these hard surface flooring solutions also carry certain "baggage"--namely their "hardness" and, especially in the case of ceramic/porcelain/stone, a "coldness" as compared to carpeting. What is an allergy or asthma sufferer (or anyone else for that matter) who wants to eliminate carpeting yet maintain that soft, cushion-like feel to do?

One relatively recent solution available in the U.S. market are various lines of fiberglass-backed resilient flooring. Products such as Armstrong Cushion Step or Tarkett's FiberFloor, afford consumers what is almost a hard surface-soft surface hybrid floor that offers advantages of both. The products generally offer a urethane wear layer, meaning they are a snap to maintain and clean. Visually, the printing technology available today means that these products can offer design-minded folks an enormous palette of color and pattern. Further, unlike some of their hard surface siblings, these fiberglass-backed products are extremely soft underfoot. Thus, they address consumer concerns over "hardness" and "coldness" that often arise with other hard surfacing options.

The fiberglass-backed flooring products also offer installation flexibility. Unlike many felt-backed resilient products, the fiberglass offerings generally do not require a full-spread adhesive-based installation. (Certainly, that method typically is available as an option and likely will result in the best overall performance of the finished product; however, do-it-yourselfers are not necessarily obligated to adopt this methodology). Rather, fiberglass products typically also may be installed via (a) a loose-lay method; or (b) a modified loose-lay that involves strategic use of double-sided tape in specific areas. Of course, these are only general parameters--consumers and installers need to consult the specific installation instructions from each manufacturer to be sure they follow proper procedures. The nature of the installation may dictate that only certain of the otherwise generally permissible methodologies are available (e.g., often, if more than one seam is required, the fiberglass product must be full-spread adhered).

Given the options of loose-lay or modified loose-lay, fiberglass flooring provides yet another advantage to consumers---relative ease of change as compared to most alternatives. Because the flooring essentially is floating above the subfloor or is taped down, it can more easily be removed as the homeowner's design tastes change. This means that, years down the road, there will be far less time and expense required to change products or design as compared to most alternatives. Moreover, the relative ease of removal means that these products at times can "be saved" from in-home disasters that might sink alternative surfacing, hard or soft. Their are anecdotes, for example, of cases where a refrigerator/ice maker/basement floods a fiberglass-backed floor and the owner has merely pulled up the product, hung it outside/otherwise dried it, and then reinstalled it. Obviously, such an option would be unavailable with carpeting, most other resilient, and hardwood. Also, while some laminates promote their ability to be "disengaged" that attribute likely is of little relevance in cases of small to mild flooding as the water is likely to damage the underlying product.

Thus, fiberglass flooring offers an exciting option for people seeking an allergenic, soft flooring alternative. Keep in mind that the products are not without their potential drawbacks, however. Perhaps the most common issue that leads to consumer frustration involves a tendency of these products to buckle as the ambient environment's temperature and moisture levels change with the seasons. Keep in mind that not all such floors will buckle and that the issue's propensity may vary depending upon not only the region where it is installed but also based on manufacturer and installation methodology. Consumers concerned about this possibility should consider giving up some of the "ease of removal" flexibility associated with the loose-lay/modified loose-lay installation options (if available) and instead opt for a full spread. Consumers and/or owners ultimately should consult their local flooring professional for specific advice regarding the recommended installation methods and product use most suited for their particular needs and application.