Is Wood Flooring Better For People With Asthma and Allergies?

We’ve had many customers who have asthma and/or environmental allergies who claim that after we replaced their carpets with hardwood floors, their asthma and allergy symptoms dramatically decreased. I wanted to do some research about why this happened, so that I can better inform our customers that may have these conditions.
I looked on the Mayo Clinic website, and their asthma and allergy specialist, James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D. states that “Reducing exposure to asthma triggers is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent asthma flare-ups. Carpeting can be a reservoir for allergy-causing substances (allergens) that trigger asthma. Carpeting in the bedroom can be especially problematic because it exposes you to carpet dust throughout the night. Hard-surface flooring such as vinyl, tile or wood is much easier to keep free of dust mites, pollen, pet dander and other allergens.”1
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) also says that hard surfaces are better for people with asthma and allergies: “If you are putting in new floors, consider using hardwood, vinyl, linoleum tile, or slate instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. The carpet is an ideal home for dust mites. These tiny insects are one of the worst enemies of people with allergies. Too small to be seen with the naked eye, they live inside carpeting, cushions and bedding. There they excrete waste products that cause allergic symptoms. Bare floors with small, washable area rugs are much easier to keep free of dust mites than carpeting.”2
Because of the way we sand and finish floors, our process is better for people with asthma and allergies as well. We are completely dustless. Wood dust can be very aggravating to your respiratory system. With our system, the wood dust that is created through the sanding process is immediately evacuated from your house through our vacuum system that is attached to all our sanding equipment. That means the dust does not get into your HVAC system, on your walls, on light fixtures, etc. Also, the finishes we use are water-based finishes that have very low VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Since the average person spends 12-15 hours in their home a day, it’s important that if you are an allergy and/or asthma sufferer that those hours spent in your home aren’t increasing your symptoms. That’s why I, and the experts, would recommend hardwood floors if you or a family member has these issues.
Give us a call! We’ll give you a free estimate so you know what the investment will be. Not only will new wood floors make you feel better, but it will also increase the value of your home! More on that next time.

Sources:
1: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-triggers/AN01948
2: http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=231