Strictly viewed from the standpoint of durability, the best type of flooring for a house with kids would be hard and non-fibrous, such as laminate, engineered wood, luxury vinyl, or tile. These choices work from the standpoint of practicality, but comfort is seriously lacking. Young kids, especially, spend a lot of time on the floor. So choosing a kid-friendly carpet is a delicate balancing act of weighing durability and comfort. And don’t forget that children will subject your floors to various abuses: spilled food, dyed liquids like fruit punch, soda, fruit stains—maybe even blood. So when choosing the best carpet for children, stain resistance and cleanability are also important. Below, learn about how to choose among three good carpeting options for spaces used heavily by kids, all of them using synthetic fibers. “Nylon” carpet fibers comprise a large class based on a family of plastic polymers called linear polyamides, developed by Dupont corporation just prior to WW II, and introduced into carpet manufacture in 1947. Nylon sets the standard for long-lasting durability. Today, it’s the most popular type of fabric used for carpeting, comprising fully two-thirds of all synthetic carpets made. Nylon carpet resists abrasion better than almost any other carpet fiber, and it cleans easily—at least when factory-treated with a stain block. Nylon itself does not clean well, so in family settings, it’s best to make sure nylon carpeting receives a stain treatment. Nylon carpeting should be steam cleaned every 12 to 18 months. While every type of carpeting can benefit from steam cleaning, nylon carpeting, in particular, must be steam cleaned regularly due to the molecular structure of its composition. Polyethyline teraphthatlate, otherwise known as PET, is now the most common type of polyester fiber used in carpeting. PET carpeting is made from PET chips, which can either be virgin or can be made from recycled plastic containers. PET carpeting is very soft, plus it’s environmentally friendly when made from recycled materials. Budget-friendly, eco-friendly PET carpet is remarkable for its sustainability and inherent stain resistance. These carpets average about $2.50 per square foot, making them the most affordable of these three carpet types. Triexta, sometimes marketed as Smartstrand, is a unique type of polyester, a carpet fiber that consists of 37 percent corn, making it the most natural, environmentally friendly option. It is unique in that it combines both exceptional durability with permanent built-in stain and soil protection. Few other carpet fibers can make this claim. Triexta carpeting rivals nylon carpeting in terms of strength and resistance to abrasion, but with better natural stain resistance and a plusher feel. But as a relatively new offering, Triexta is offered only by Mohawk brands, and it does not offer the staggering choices available in nylon and PET carpets. Tiexta/Smartstrand carpet averages about $4 per square foot. While average prices do differ from material to material, all these kid-friendly options are relatively low in cost compared to many other popular carpet materials, such as wool (averaging $10 per square foot). And within each fiber type, there is a wide range of prices available, depending on factors such as fiber density and backing material. Thus, a carpet made from the least expensive fiber (polyester) may cost more than the least expensive type (nylon), if it uses a higher fiber count and premium backing materials. No matter what type of carpet you choose, professional installation will add $3.50 to $11.00 per square foot, depending on what kind of old flooring removal and preparation is required.
Synthetic Carpeting and Out-Gassing of Chemicals
Responsible parents may be justifiably concerned over reports that synthetic carpeting (along with many common building materials) emit varying amounts of chemical gases, such as formaldehyde and styrene, through a process known as out-gassing. Some environmental health advocates even insist that only fully organic flooring materials, such as cotton, wool, or hardwood are truly safe flooring materials. But synthetic carpets are generally not regarded as prime sources of dangerous out-gassing, and when chemical outgassing does occur, it is usually because of the synthetic latex backing material, the glues used for full-bond applications (mostly in commercial settings), or the spray treatments (stain repellants, mildewcides, etc.) that are often applied onto carpeting at the factory or during installation. The synthetic carpet fibers themselves, whether nylon, polyester, or Triexta, are relatively stable and safe materials. If you are concerned about air quality—especially if you have family members who suffer from asthma or are otherwise sensitive to chemicals—then make sure to factor this in when selecting your carpeting. Choose your carpeting based on the manufacturer’s published air quality specifications, and avoid the use of chemical spray treatments. And have the carpeting installed with traditional stretch-and-tack methods, not glue-down installation. After installation, keeping the room well-ventilated for at least three days and avoiding inhabiting the room for this period is recommended for individuals sensitive to the “new carpet smell.” Cleaning the carpet immediately after installation can also help.
