Ah, su
mmer vacation. A treat for all, and definitely a strong sign the wee ones are going to start picking up after themselves, right? I mean, they’ve nothing better to do with their time! Further, their love for the floor is just as potent as yours!
Yikes. Well, if a new floor is on the horizon for you, are happy to give you some solid (or spongy!) ideas to keep your floors in great shape with the kids traipsing in and out!
Honey Oak
This one will feel like an oldie, but let me assure you – it’s a goodie. Durable to a fault and warm as a summer day is long, this is the Mario of warm-toned flooring – it has a hardness level that will withstand the test of time, and it matches well with rustic pieces of furniture. While wood isn’t exactly scratch-resistant, areas that see heavy play can be easily covered with an area rug. Further, it’s not difficult to have your honey oak refinished if it’s taken a beating in recent years. Good as new!
Bamboo
If you thought honey oak was a hard choice, wait ’til you see what bamboo can do for you! At the first thought, one might think bamboo wouldn’t be a good fit for a lot of homes. We’re ever so glad to correct that sentiment. Twice as hard as your standard hardwoods and often a suitable less expensive alternative!
Cork
Ah, cork. At the start, I made a reference to “spongy” flooring. Here we go! Not only is it often just as warm as wood flooring, it’s a very safe playing surface for its softness, and is durable against scratches and dents with its capacity to reform. Granted, you can run into issues using this in a bathroom or kitchen, as it doesn’t handle water damage as well as its alternatives.
Oh, and we saved the absolute best for last – honey oak can be included in this as well, but with regards to cork and especially bamboo: these materials are extremely eco-friendly. If you’re environmentally conscious, selecting an easily-renewable material for your new flooring is something you can feel good about. So, thanks for reading, be sure to check out our many other blog posts, and if we can parent you as you’ll parent the kids allll summer long: make good choices!
Until next time!
