As you age, your priorities and lifestyle needs will change as well. The type of flooring you needed when you first moved into your home may not be the same flooring that fits your current needs. When you step in to one of our nine showrooms, It’s important to evaluate your at-home needs and be prepared to ask the right questions to your local experts in flooring. At Carpet Weaver’s, we’re here to help you find the best flooring option for your home as you age.
Why Safe Flooring Is Important for Aging in Place
There are five main factors to prioritize when choosing the best flooring for you: slip-resistance, ease of travel, cleaning and maintenance, comfort, and cushion.
Each of these factors plays a vital role in creating a safe, functional, and comfortable environment.
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Slip-resistance ensures safety, particularly in high-traffic or moisture-prone areas
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Ease of travel accommodates smooth mobility for everyone, including those using mobility aids.
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Cleaning and maintenance should be straightforward to keep your flooring looking its best with minimal effort.
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Comfort enhances the overall experience, whether it’s underfoot softness or warmth
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Cushion provides much-needed support, reducing strain on joints and minimizing the impact of falls.
By carefully considering these elements, you can select flooring that perfectly suits your lifestyle and needs, and our team of flooring experts is here to help!
Best Flooring Options
There are many great flooring options that Carpet Weaver’s offers to not only fit important safety criteria for your needs as you age, but also fit the aesthetic for every living space in your home. Let’s explore our favorite options:
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
One of the best flooring options to consider while aging in place is luxury vinyl plank flooring, which has grown in popularity over the past few years due to advanced technology emerging in the flooring industry.
Luxury vinyl flooring is waterproof, slip-resistant, and easy to clean, while providing the look and feel of hardwood floors in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Types of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
There are two general types of luxury vinyl flooring when it comes to installation methodology: glue-down or floating (interlocking).
Generally speaking, if wheelchairs will be used on the floor, glue-down flooring is recommended as the planks are less likely to come apart due to the weight and torque of the wheels.
One of our top brands, COREtec Plus engineered vinyl plank flooring, is a great option for those aging in place. While it is more expensive than carpet, it is less expensive than other hard surface floorings like real hardwood floors, and can easily be installed on top of tile or concrete. This luxury vinyl flooring option has an attached cork pad and is softer and easier on joints than other types of hard surface, like stone or porcelain tile.
Wall to Wall Carpet
Another great and more affordable flooring option is wall-to-wall carpet, which is great for older generations who are more sensitive to cooler temperatures, while being softer on feet and joints. Quality carpet is less slippery and fall-preventative, but is more challenging to navigate with wheelchairs or walkers.
Although carpet is more difficult to keep clean and maintain as it may stain over time, keeping up with proper maintenance and cleaning of debris eliminates obstacles that can also cause falls.
The Best Aging in Place Flooring for Different Living Spaces
While you will want to minimize transitions between different flooring types, you may choose to install different types of flooring for different rooms to meet your lifestyle needs as you age. Here are some recommendations from our flooring experts:
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The best option for kitchens and bathrooms is luxury vinyl plank flooring. In addition, use rubber anti-fall mats in places that may get wet, such as near the kitchen sink and near bathtubs or showers.
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Carpet is a great option for your living room and bedrooms. We suggest avoiding the use of area rugs to minimize surface transitions in high-traffic areas.
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Ensure your stairs have carpet (or a runner) to eliminate potentially slippery surfaces.
Why Carpet Weaver’s Is the Best Flooring Team for Aging in Place Flooring
Our flooring experts are here to help you on all things senior-safe flooring and educate you with the right tools and information to protect you and your loved ones. Visit your nearest showroom today!
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