As the fall allergy season ramps up and many people start struggling with dry eyes, itchy noses, and sneezing, some begin to question if their home flooring might be causing problems. It depends on the type of flooring you have in your home. But the short answer is yes, some types of flooring do cause you more allergy problems. Below we’ll talk about different flooring types and their effect on allergies and address the question, “Is polished concrete flooring hypoallergenic?”

Carpet Allows Allergens Safe Haven in Your Home

The first thing to note is which type of flooring is the biggest offender for allergies. Carpet in your home allows space for allergens of various kinds to grow, and the carpeting material itself can even emit some allergens. What types of allergens can your carpet store? Here are some you should be aware of:

1. Mold
Mold can grow anywhere there is moisture and organic material. Carpets often harbor sources of moisture from spills or humidity and are themselves made of organic matter (i.e., wool). Together, these factors mean that your home’s carpet is often a playground for mold. Toxic species of mold are linked to headaches and respiratory illnesses.   

2. VOCs
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are vapors that are frequently emitted from materials made with petrochemicals. According to the EPA, VOCs are emitted from certain solids or liquids as gases. While home carpeting materials should fall within the legal limits for VOC emissions, people who are more sensitive to the substances may still experience ill effects from these noxious gasses.

3. Pet Dandruff
Pet dandruff is a top offender when it comes to allergens. Many people have pets in their homes, and with even a mild sensitivity to pet dandruff, allergies can become a major frustration. Carpet can make this struggle more difficult because it is a difficult surface to clean thoroughly. While various hard floors can be easily cleaned, carpet will allow dandruff a haven within its fibers.

Polished Concrete Floors Are Hypoallergenic  

Once a polished concrete floor has been installed and cured, it does not emit anything. That means that you won’t be dealing with any VOCs coming from your new floor. Additionally, the perfectly smooth and non-organic surface that polished concrete flooring provides does not lend itself to mold growth. The same smooth surface also means your floor will be easy to clean, so you can effectively prevent the build-up of dandruff from your pet. 

Polished Concrete Flooring Installation Joplin MO

Cunningham Coating Solutions is the four states’ most qualified polished concrete flooring installer. If you live in Joplin MO, or the surrounding area and are interested in having a new hypoallergenic, polished concrete floor installed, we’d love to talk with you about your options.