Not only are softer surfaces good for your body, they are warm and comforting. Soft floors usually involve a form of cushioning or insulation, trapping air in its materials, which makes them less affected by extreme weather.
With colder weather always being a factor to consider when upgrading your home?s flooring, why not consider some of the softest surfaces that will let you go barefoot all year long?
There are a few options for obtaining that soft floor your feet will love:
- Carpets
- Cork
- Vinyl
- Engineered Stone
Carpets
Carpet is usually the first material that comes to mind when we think of soft floors. Made of interwoven pile fibers of various patterns and materials, carpets make any room in your house warm and inviting. When you combine quality carpets with a layer of plush cushioning, you will have a surface that is unparalleled in softness.To maintain this feel, regular upkeep is vital. Also, not every carpet is of the same quality. Better carpets keep their form and resist stains, while poor quality carpets fade, lose their form, and fray more easily.
For this reason, we recommend two brands: Mohawk and Dream Weaver.
- Mohawk carpets: This brand is the only one that uses SmartStrand fibers which are coated with Nanoloc. This coating protects each fiber from stains, wear, and tear, making Mohawk carpets incredibly easy to maintain. Nanoloc also prevents any moisture absorption, protecting your carpet from mold and bacteria.
- Dream Weaver carpets: Their carpets are durable and equipped with patented PureColor fibers that are tough against stains. Their carpets? soil and stain shield can even resist damage from elements like red wine and chocolate!
Cork
Cork floors capture the best of both hardwood and carpet worlds by providing a porous, insulated flat surface that isn?t cold in winter and is not loud even under high heels.Cork flooring has been popular in theaters and upper floors of apartments, but they can really go anywhere in your house where you want a flat surface without the loud noises and coldness of stone tiles.
Vinyl
Another allergy-friendly soft flooring option is vinyl. Vinyl flooring?s softness is determined by its quality and make, so it is important to get expert advice while choosing your materials. For example, vinyl sheets with a felt backing are going to feel softer.Vinyl comes in a wide range of quality and price points and can mimic more expensive materials like hardwoods and stone for a fraction of the cost.
Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is a material typically made of a combination of crushed stone that is bound with a polymer resin adhesive.The engineered stone we have is the Alterna series from Armstrong Floors. These floors are made of a composite of limestone and resin. Added to that is a decorative covering that can mimic the look of just about any kind of floors.
Engineered stone is softer than conventional ceramic, porcelain or natural stones. This is because it is engineered using a composite product utilizing limestone and material used to make resilient floors.
Honorable mention: Rubber
Rubber flooring is definitely soft and warm all year round. It has a contemporary look to it and comes in various patterns and colors, but it not usually found in homes. You most likely will see rubber floors at your local gym and indoor playgrounds because their softness prevents painful impact.This material, however, can have a place in your home! Rubber is good for bathrooms and any area of the home that needs to resist water. It is also great for basements and garages.
For the homeowner who knows the sting of cold concrete on their bare feet on a winter night while grabbing that case of soda from the garage fridge, rubber flooring presents a solution.
By making a pathway to common destinations like the garage fridge or providing a warm, soft surface for basements, rubber flooring can make home living more comfortable.
About Shawn Farina: Flooring Expert at Diverse Flooring
Shawn Farina operates Diverse Flooring, a family-run business in Maple Ridge, with his younger brother, Todd. He has been in the flooring industry for 18 years. Shawn is passionate about design and feels flooring has been a great avenue to help others make the best decisions for their homes.Flooring is something we all will at one time or another have to purchase. It's really satisfying feeling to see when a client is truly happy with their choice in both the new flooring and our company.
Shawn Farina
The post Easy On Your Feet: Examining The Softest Floors Underfoot appeared first on Diverse Flooring.
