As you might have guessed from all of that tree debris or your incessant sneezing, allergy season is upon us. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, roughly 20 million adults and 6.1 million kids experience rhinitis (or nasal allergies) each year. For many of us, that means spending a good portion of the spring, summer, and fall dealing with uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms.
If you experience seasonal allergies, you might rely on over-the-counter or prescription medications to muddle through. But those with year-round respiratory conditions or severe symptoms might not always find relief from medications. And even if you refrain from spending too much time outdoors, you still might be exposed to allergens, dust, and other contaminants in your home.
That’s right: your house might actually be exacerbating your seasonal allergies. If you fail to take steps like changing HVAC air filters or using allergy-friendly building materials, it’s possible that staying home might not help as much as it could. However, there may be an unexpected solution to this problem. If you opt for polished concrete floors, you can end up reducing allergens at home.
Although carpeting still remains a popular flooring choice in many homes, it’s actually one of the worst options in terms of maintaining respiratory health. Dust mites, animal dander, and other allergens can easily get caught in carpet fibers and can’t easily be removed through routine vacuuming.
Concrete, on the other hand, is noted as one of the best flooring selections for allergy sufferers. Although vinyl and linoleum flooring may theoretically easier to clean than carpeting, these flooring options can also contain volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) that can contribute to undesirable respiratory issues. Concrete won’t contain these compounds and are extremely easy to keep clean.
What’s more, concrete floor designs can make a statement in any home. If you think concrete floors will make your main living spaces look dull and drab, think again! Colorful or stamped concrete can be created to emulate virtually any style and can provide a unique flair in large spaces. It’s also a relatively inexpensive option that doesn’t require much maintenance, allowing you to save both time and money.
As is, concrete floors are already an allergy-friendly option. But by adding residential floor coatings, homeowners can further reduce the potential for allergens, mold, and dust. Our concrete floor coatings are also LEED-certified, meaning that they’re an eco-friendly option that will protect both your health and the planet.
It’s important to note that residential floor coatings are only as good as their adhesion to concrete, which is measured by PSI. The PSI at which concrete fractures is 400, so coatings that measure at or above this level are considered to have optimal substrate adhesion. When you evaluate residential floor coatings for concrete, be sure to ask your provider about the PSI.
Many homeowners opt for polished concrete flooring, which involves a process wherein existing concrete floors are diamond-ground and honed before being polished. This grinding aspect allows the floor coating to actually penetrate into the concrete, which makes for a more durable surface that won’t attract dust. Through this process, you can transform stained or weakened concrete into a surface that can withstand almost anything. It provides a glossy finish (without any waxing needed!) that’s easy to clean. Although this option is a popular choice for finished basements, garages, and storage rooms, it can be used in almost any space for a clean and attractive look — especially with all of the textures and finishes available. As a bonus, these residential floor coatings for concrete dry down quickly — allowing you to make use of this transformed space without much delay.
If you or a family member suffers from serious seasonal allergies or a dust mite sensitivity, these problems are far more common than you might think. But staying inside might not be as effective in combating these respiratory issues as you think, especially if you have wall-to-wall carpeting in your home. By making the switch to concrete floors and ensuring those concrete floors are properly coated or polished, you can reduce allergy symptoms and improve the look of your property at the same time.
Ready to learn more about having polished concrete floors in your home? Please contact us today to get started.