Making choices for a growing family is often difficult, especially when there are children involved. One of the most important things that parents should plan carefully is the home where they will raise their kids. This includes flooring options. Often, concrete is not the first choice of parents. Concrete floors are thought to be hard and cold – not exactly the perfect combination for babies and kids.
For what seemed to be a long time, wood and carpeted floors were the top flooring choice. But things have changed. You may be wondering why more and more Aussie homes are opting for concrete flooring. In this article, we’ll explore why concrete is actually a child-friendly flooring material.
Concrete Floors are Hypoallergenic
As parents, we don’t want our kids to get sick. A lot of things around them can easily trigger an allergic reaction or even asthma. But concrete floors are not among them. You can easily avoid allergies and other problems when you choose concrete flooring.
Unlike carpets, concrete does not have fibres. Also, there are no crevices to worry about. You cannot say the same thing about wood floors, because they have gaps where allergens, such as dust mites, can hide and remain.
Concrete floors do not pose the same issues as above. They cannot trap allergens, making them a much safer option. If you have a child with respiratory problems, concrete is the best option. This material will help reduce the chances of triggering allergies and asthma.
Concrete Floors are Easy to Clean
Concrete is not only hypoallergenic but also hygienic. It has simple cleaning and maintenance requirements. When you have children in the house, you know what a challenge it is to run around and clean spilled juice after another. They could be walking with food, then they trip, which often means you have to do some scrubbing after.
With concrete, you can simply wipe the spill off the floor. You do not need to use any harsh chemical cleaner to sanitise the floor. Usually, merely mopping with water is enough. Of course, it will depend on the kind of spill you are dealing with. If it is food, you usually just have to use warm water and perhaps soap to get rid of the mess. It’s that easy!
Another reason why concrete is hygienic is due to the fact that it does not trap moisture. Think about it; if you spill anything on a carpeted floor or even on wood, that liquid will get trapped. Even if you wipe it off, you may not realise that mould and bacteria are growing in those carpet fibres. They could easily contaminate your kids’ toys and food, which you already know will harm your kids.
Because concrete does not keep moisture in and there’s also less need for chemical cleaners, your child is in a safer environment. Just make sure that you clean up any spill, dirt, or debris as soon as you notice to avoid any accidents.
Concrete Floors are More Cost-Efficient
Your growing family certainly requires money to sustain necessities every day. Concrete floors are more affordable over time. They are an investment worth every penny because they are made to be durable. They can last a lifetime, so you can forget about all the costs of maintenance and repair that you could face with other flooring options.
Another thing is that concrete floors are said to help you save on your energy consumption. Therefore, your utility bills will be much lower compared to carpets, tiles, and wood. Concrete has thermal qualities that make it ideal for keeping heat and cold air inside the house. During summer, the material can retain cooling from your air conditioner or fans. It also keeps heat inside the room during winter.
The money-saving capabilities do not end here. Concrete can also have light-reflective qualities that can add extra brightness into your space. It means that you do not have to keep turning on the lights, which also helps you save on electric charges.
How to Make Your Concrete Floor Even More Ideal for Kids
Perhaps one of the most significant issues that parents have with concrete is that it can be slippery. Slips and falls are common in children. Fortunately, these accidents are easy to address. A polishing treatment is among the most popular when it comes to making floors child-friendly.
Polished concrete floors are when the surface is ground down using abrasive pads that progressively become finer as the grinding continues. The result is an extremely high-gloss finish, almost mirror-like, although you can keep it less shiny, depending on the grit of pads. The final part of the process is for sealing, giving the floor a protective sheen.
Polished concrete does look shiny and slippery, but it is not at all. You can further improve this benefit by applying an anti-slip treatment. Falls are a huge concern for parents whose children are beginning to learn how to walk.
This type of flooring is safe and also puts less strain on the hands and knees of kids. That way, they can crawl, walk, and run freely without slipping. Of course, you still have to take some precautions as you would with other flooring options. Make sure that sharp items are out of the way, as well as fragile ones.
Polished concrete is also more scratch-resistant than standard concrete. While on its own, concrete can already fight off scratches and other damages, you can enhance its durability with a polishing treatment. Even without toddlers around the house, your floors are the surfaces that get the most constant beating.
Kids are not as heavy as adults, but they love to run and drag their toys around. It is why you need flooring that can resist scratches; otherwise, you will end up spending more money in repairing your floors. Polished concrete is highly durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic. It’s nearly impossible to scratch or chip the surface.
If you want an unpolished concrete floor, you can opt for a slightly textured surface which provides excellent grip.
Are you interested in concrete floors? We have just the answer! Contact CoastCrete to learn which type of concrete floor best fits your needs.
