Best Flooring Choices For The Physically Challenged

Those who are physically challenged should learn to be selective in the type of flooring they use in their homes. Ideally, the floor should be simple to clean, resistant to scratching and most important of all it should not be slippery. People who are new to flooring purchase may find the topic to be overwhelming as there are many materials available, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The pricing can range from delightfully cheap to exorbitantly expensive, so it is important to select an option which caters to your mobility needs.

Flooring Characteristics to Look For

There are specific characteristics that those who are physically challenged must look for in flooring material. The material should be highly durable. It should be capable of withstanding a lot of pressure from a wheelchair. Additionally, the material must make it easy for you to move around in the home. Carpet is not always a good material for this because it can be hard to push objects across it, while laminate or polished wood floors work much better. Stone tiles are another good material that allows for ease of movement.

The next factor to consider is the look of the floor. The two broadest options are matte or a floor surface which is shiny. The disadvantage to using shiny materials is that wheelchair tracks will appear on them, and are easy to detect, while matte is much better at preventing these marks from appearing. A flooring material which uses a darker color is harder to clean, so those who are physically challenged should opt for a lighter color or a material which is non-skid, as it will be easier to clean and reduce the chances of falling.

Pros and Cons of Various Flooring Types for the Physically Challenged

While carpet flooring is not the best option for those who use wheelchairs, it is a great option for anyone who suffers from pain in the joints. This is because carpet flooring is soft and relaxing to walk on. This type of flooring won’t exacerbate your joint pain like harder materials, and those who are susceptible to falling will sustain much less damage on a carpet floor than one made from wood, vinyl or stone.

Laminate floors are one of the best materials for wheelchairs, and are regularly used in both commercial and residential buildings. This type of flooring is very tough and can withstand a great amount of traffic without wear and tear. When purchasing laminate it is important to be sure the AC rating is higher than 3. Those who suffer from severe allergies will find hardwood floors to be one of the best options available on the market. They are also wheelchair friendly, particularly when smooth and polished, but the downside is that heavy wheelchair usage will cause wear over time.

Those who are on a budget but need a flooring material which is good for wheelchairs won’t go wrong with vinyl. This material is tough yet smooth, and can appear in designs which are very aesthetically pleasing. Some appear in replicas of wood or stone.

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