Best Bets For Universal Design-Friendly Flooring

You've probably heard of the term universal design, especially as it's applied to helping people age within their homes. Yet universal design isn't an age-specific term; at its core, universal design is about enhancing accessibility, function and performance within a space, regardless of a person's age or physical condition.

One of the biggest things to consider when incorporating universal design is your flooring. Throw rugs are a no-no, as they can present a trip hazard. Soft carpets are a good choice, especially if they're not too thick so that the carpet is conducive to wheelchairs, walkers and/or crutches.

Earlier this year, I attended a universal design panel discussion here in Kansas City, and came away with a host of great tips, including top picks for flooring. Non-carpet surfaces are generally favored because they offer little resistance and are relatively easy to clean and maintain. The top three picks include:

1. Tile. Versatile and relatively inexpensive, tile is a top choice for universal design flooring because it comes in a variety of slip-resistant styles, making it a great choice for areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms. Tile is conducive to high mobility and is a budget-friendly option if you're looking to change your flooring, especially if you're needing to floor a large area in your home.

2. Hardwoods. Like tile, hardwood floors enhance mobility and, if sealed properly, can handle wear and tear and are easy to keep clean. Hardwood floors add a sophisticated look to any room, and their increasing popularity means hardwood is now available in a range of styles and colors that not only fit any decor scheme, but can also work with any budget.

3. Cork. This eco-friendly material offers high mobility but is also slightly softer than tile or hardwoods, making it an ideal choice if you're worried about someone falling on a hard surface. It also retains more heat than the aforementioned materials and would be great in a living room or kitchen. Maintain cork much like you would a hardwood floor to keep it in good condition.

Have you thought about universal design in your home? What changes would you like to make?

Photo courtesy of Real Cork Floors

Katy Ryan | Comments () |

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Flooring is a very important part to get a better look for one's home. Thanks for sharing this information on all types of flooring information with us.

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Very great bits of advice! You've maintained to shorten the description for the three kinds of floor covering. I think that by now, individuals with go through this would probably be organizing to remodel and select among those three already. Each has rewards, and individuals would get to know them better if they use them by then.

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Luella Castleberry

I would like to thanks for the time you've contributed in composing this article.

Marie Flanigan

You got a really useful blog I've been here reading for about half an hour. I am a newbie and your post is valuable for me.

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I never particularly used to like cork flooring but it seems to have had a makeover and now looks really stylish.

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Well post,and host of great tips, Its including three top picks for flooring. Non-carpet surfaces are generally favored because they offer little resistance and are relatively easy to clean and maintain.Really working.

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This is very well written information.The design of flooring is must in the decoration.These tips is very nice.It change the room completely.

Kathy Carbone

Some people prefer eco-friendly flooring because they want to practice green living! Well, it is nice that more and more people are getting aware of the benefits of using eco-friendly materials. But whatever flooring you choose, you have to maintain safety in your home. You can put carpets on the floor to help prevent accidents. Carpets can add beauty to your flooring as well.

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Excellent post.linoleum is a good collection.Nice design for the flooring.The color is so great,Its awesome.Keep sharing with us.

Ailith Blesington

Very good pieces of advice! You've managed to simplify the explanation for the three types of flooring. I think that by now, people who've read this would probably be planning to renovate and choose among those three already. Each has advantages, and people would get to know them better if they use them by then.

Gene

I'd add real linoleum (i.e., not vinyl, but the stuff made from linseed) to the list of universal design flooring. It's relatively eco-friendly, and has more give than hardwood or tile.

Katy Ryan

Great point, Gene - linoleum is also a good choice, especially if you want something with a bit more give than hardwoods or tile.