Building materials for Elderly Home
With our 20 years of decoration experience, when designing a home that the elderly or seniors like, the materials used will be different from those used in general homes. For example, we would recommend using plastic flooring, wooden flooring or stone plastic flooring, rounded furniture and bathroom appliances, etc. to reduce the consequences of falls. The following are some of our experiences, which are purely our personal opinions and are for reference only.
Flooring selection
Common flooring choices include solid wood flooring, laminate flooring (engineered wood flooring), tile, PVC flooring and marble.
Solid wood flooring is a floor made of pure natural wood and has the following advantages:
1. Beauty and texture: Solid wood flooring brings a natural, warm and luxurious appearance, and provides unique texture and color changes. Each solid wood floor is unique, creating a unique style and atmosphere for the interior.
2. Durability: When properly installed and maintained, solid wood floors are long-lasting. They can withstand daily use, high-volume traffic, and household activities, and have a high resistance to wear and tear.
3. Repairability: If a solid wood floor is scratched or damaged, it can be repaired by sanding and repainting. This makes the solid wood floor well renovable and can extend its service life.
4. Environmental protection: Solid wood floors are made from renewable resources and have a low carbon footprint. They are an environmentally friendly choice and can be recycled and reused at the end of their life cycle.
However, solid wood flooring also has some disadvantages:
1. Expensive: Compared to other flooring options, solid wood flooring is generally more expensive. This is mainly due to the value of its natural wood and the complexity of the manufacturing process.
2. Easy to be affected by moisture: Solid wood flooring is sensitive to moisture and water, and is prone to expansion and contraction. Therefore, it is not recommended to use solid wood flooring in humid environments, such as bathrooms and damp basements.
3. Regular maintenance is required: Solid wood floors require regular maintenance, including regular cleaning, waxing and repainting, etc. This helps maintain its beauty and quality, but it also requires a certain amount of time and effort.
4. More susceptible to scratches and abrasion: Compared with some other floor materials, solid wood floors are more susceptible to scratches and abrasion. The dragging of highly mobile furniture and the collision of sharp objects may cause scratches on the floor surface.
Laminated Flooring
Laminate flooring is a flooring made up of multiple layers of material, usually a fiberboard, a veneer layer, and a protective layer. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring:
Benefits:
1. Durability: Laminated floors are made up of multiple layers of material, so they are relatively durable and less susceptible to wear and scratches. They are able to withstand daily use and high-volume traffic, making them ideal for use in homes and commercial locations.
2. Easy installation: Laminated flooring usually has a click-type installation system, making the installation process relatively simple and quick. No glue or nails are required, and floating installation is possible, saving time and cost.
3. Moisture resistance: Laminate floors generally have good moisture resistance because they include a moisture barrier and a sealing protective layer in their construction. This makes laminate floors suitable for moist areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
4. Easy to clean and maintain: Laminated flooring usually has a protective layer on the surface, making it easy to clean and maintain. Regular cleaning with a wet mop or vacuum cleaner is sufficient, and no special cleaners or maintenance tools are required.
5. Diverse designs and appearances: Laminated flooring offers a variety of design and appearance options, including imitation wood texture, stone texture, etc. Whether you like traditional, modern or other styles, you can find a suitable laminate flooring style.
shortcoming:
1. Not as good as solid wood flooring: Compared to solid wood flooring, laminate flooring may feel less real because their surface is covered by thin layers of wood.
2. More difficult to repair: If laminate flooring is badly damaged or scratched, it can be relatively complicated to repair. Because the surface is formed by thin layers of wood, they cannot be sanded and repainted like solid wood floors.
3. More susceptible to damage: Compared to some other floor materials, laminate flooring is more susceptible to the weight of heavy objects, collisions with sharp objects or heavy scratches. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid moving heavy furniture or use appropriate protective pads.
Tile floor
Porcelain tile flooring is a type of flooring made of ceramic material, which has the following advantages and disadvantages:
Benefits:
1. Durability: Ceramic tile floors are very durable and can withstand high pressure, scratches and abrasion. They are not easily deformed or damaged and can be used for a long time.
2. Easy to clean: Ceramic tile floors have a smooth surface and are not easy to absorb dust, dirt and liquids. Just use a wet mop or detergent to clean. They are also not easily damaged by chemicals.
3. Waterproof: Porcelain tile floors have excellent water resistance and will not be damaged by water. This makes them ideal for damp areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.
4. Heat resistance: Porcelain tiles can withstand high temperatures without deforming or being damaged. This makes porcelain tile floors ideal for outdoor areas such as patios and courtyards.
5. A variety of design options: Porcelain tile floors offer a variety of designs, colors, and textures, including imitation wood textures, stone textures, etc. Whether you like traditional, modern, or other styles, you can find a suitable style of porcelain tile flooring.
shortcoming:
1. Cold and hard feeling: Ceramic tile floors have a relatively cold and hard touch, which may not be very comfortable, especially in winter or cold areas. When walking barefoot, you may need to use floor heating or soft mats to provide additional comfort.
2. Slippery: Ceramic tile floors can easily become slippery in wet environments. This can pose a risk of falls for young children and the elderly. Using non-slip floor mats or choosing tiles with an anti-slip texture can reduce this risk.
3. Installation is more complicated: Compared to other flooring materials, the installation of tile floors is more complicated and requires professional skills. They require precise measuring, cutting, and installation processes.
PVC floor
PVC flooring (polyvinyl chloride flooring) is a synthetic flooring material with the following advantages and disadvantages:
Benefits:
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Durability: PVC floors are very durable and can withstand high pressure, scratches and abrasion. They are not easily deformed or damaged and have a long life.
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Easy to clean: PVC floors have a smooth surface and are not easy to absorb dust, dirt and liquids. Just use a wet mop or detergent to clean. They are also not easily damaged by chemicals.
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Waterproof: PVC floors have excellent water resistance and will not be damaged by water. This makes them ideal for wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.
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Heat resistance: PVC flooring can withstand high temperatures without deforming or becoming damaged. This makes PVC flooring ideal for outdoor areas such as patios and courtyards.
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Comfort: PVC floors have good sound absorption and elasticity, which can reduce footsteps and provide a softer stepping feeling. They can also provide a certain degree of heat preservation, making the feet feel comfortable.
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A variety of design options: PVC flooring offers a variety of designs, colors and textures, including imitation wood texture, stone texture, etc. Whether you like traditional, modern or other styles, you can find a suitable PVC flooring style.
shortcoming:
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VOC emissions: Some cheap PVC floors may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may have a negative impact on indoor air quality. Therefore, when purchasing PVC floors, it is recommended to choose products that meet environmental standards and have low VOC emissions.
Marble floor
Marble flooring is a noble and luxurious flooring choice, it has a unique beauty and characteristics. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of marble flooring:
Benefits:
1. Beauty: Marble flooring has an elegant and noble appearance, adding a sense of luxury to the interior space. It has natural texture and color changes, and each marble floor is unique.
2. Durability: Marble flooring has good durability and can withstand long-term use and wear. It is a hard material that is not easily scratched or damaged.
3. Easy to clean: The surface of marble floor is smooth and flat, and it is not easy to absorb dust and dirt, so it is relatively easy to clean. Usually, you only need to wipe it with a wet mop or detergent to keep it clean.
4. Value retention: Marble flooring is a high-end flooring material with high value retention. Its beauty and uniqueness make it a factor in increasing the value of a house.
shortcoming:
1. Expensive: Compared with other flooring materials, marble flooring is more expensive. This is mainly due to the rarity of marble itself and the complexity of the manufacturing process.
2. Easy to scratch: Although the surface of marble floor is hard, it is still easy to be scratched by sharp objects. Therefore, it is necessary to use furniture movement with caution and avoid using rough cleaning tools.
3. Requires regular maintenance: Because marble flooring has a porous surface, it is easily corroded by liquids and chemicals. Therefore, it requires regular sealing and maintenance to prevent stains and damage.
4. Easily affected by acidic substances: Marble is a stone with a calcium carbonate structure, which is easily corroded by acidic substances (such as citrus juice, vinegar, etc.). Therefore, when using marble floors, it is necessary to avoid contact with acidic substances.