We’ve all heard the phrase, “Home is where the heart is.” But as we age or experience mobility challenges, our homes can sometimes become more of an obstacle course than a safe haven.
Flooring choices are often overlooked when creating accessible homes. But flooring can enhance aesthetics and comfort, going beyond basic safety.
In this blog, we explore innovative flooring solutions for accessibility.
Non-Slip Flooring
Laying non-slip flooring is key to preventing falls, especially for individuals with mobility issues or balance problems.
There are several non-slip flooring options, including:
- Textured porcelain or ceramic tiles
- Non-slip vinyl
- Cork flooring with a non-slip coating
- Rubber flooring
- Low-pile carpet
Different flooring will be appropriate for different areas, but whatever you choose, a high-slip resistance rating is critical. Many flooring types are given an ‘R’ value, ranging from R9 to R13, which is the highest slip resistance, to help customers choose the right tiles for their project.
Bathroom Flooring
Bathrooms are humid areas, and the floor needs to remain grippy to prevent slips and trips. Here are the most common flooring solutions for accessibility in these spaces…
Non-Slip Vinyl
Non-slip vinyl is the most popular choice for bathrooms. Affordable, durable and highly water-resistant, it comes in a huge range of styles and colours; there’s a vinyl out there for everyone!
Remember to look for vinyl with a high slip-resistance rating and a textured surface.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
LVT offers a more luxurious look and feel than traditional vinyl. It provides excellent water and slip resistance but ramps your bathroom style up a notch.
Sheet Vinyl
Sheet vinyl is seamless, reducing potential trip hazards in the bathroom. This also eliminates grout lines, which can be a pain to keep gleaming. Sheet vinyl is simple to maintain and clean.
Rubber Flooring
Rubber is naturally slip-resistant, even when wet, and provides a cushioned surface for added comfort.
Kitchen Flooring
Moving onto flooring solutions for accessibility in the kitchen, you’re faced with several fantastic options.
Non-Slip Vinyl Or LVT
Vinyl flooring solutions are popular choices for the kitchen, too. They offer durability, water resistance, and true ease of maintenance; this can be a huge benefit for individuals living with limited mobility who find regular maintenance a hard task.
Cork Flooring
Cork is a naturally warm and soft material that provides good cushioning underfoot, reducing fatigue and impact on joints. Make sure to choose cork with a factory-applied non-slip coating to minimise the chance of slips and falls.
Linoleum
Linoleum is a natural and eco-friendly option that is durable and water-resistant. Look for linoleum with a textured surface for added slip resistance in the kitchen.
Stairs
Managing the stairs can prove difficult for people with limited mobility. Therefore, stairs must be made safe for everyone living at the property.
Non-Slip Carpet
Carpet with a short, dense pile and a good grip backing can offer both safety and comfort, as well as look beautiful. Opt for carpets with a high slip-resistance rating for maximum accessibility.
Stair Treads
Did you know that you can install non-slip strips to existing stairs, like wood or tile, to improve grip and reduce the risk of falls? These are brilliant flooring solutions for accessibility where stairs aren’t carpeted.
Contrast
By using high-contrast colours or textures on stair edges, you can make them more visible and easier to navigate. This approach is particularly helpful for elderly users or those with limited vision.
Bedrooms And Living Rooms
When it comes to areas of rest and respite, installing flooring solutions for accessibility is important.
Carpet
Carpet is a popular choice for its warmth and comfort, but don’t be tempted by high-pile, hard-to-clean options. There are plenty of stylish low-pile carpets which work best at preventing trips and falls and still provide a soft landing just in case.
Non-Slip Vinyl Or LVT
Low-pile carpet can be manageable for wheelchair users, but vinyl flooring solutions are ideal. They are also super simple to clean and maintain.
Level Transitions
Thresholds and uneven surfaces are trip hazards that must be adapted or removed where possible.
There are different ways that thresholds can be addressed to improve accessibility:
- Leveling. For minor height differences, the lower floor can be raised to meet the higher one.
- Ramps. For larger transitions, it is often necessary to install an accessibility ramp. These can be temporary or permanent depending on budget, how long the ramp will be needed, who’s using it and where it will reside.
Want to learn more about accessibility ramps? Click here for our comprehensive blog on the topic.
Zoning A Home
Zoning a home can make it far easier to navigate for people with a wide range of disabilities and mobility limitations, including visual impairment. By using contrasting colours or textures in flooring, you can define spaces and improve navigation.
When planning to zone your home, you can lay tactile guiding paths to create clear routes through the home and indicate changes in level or surface. This can be achieved using textured or coloured tiles, vinyl or carpet that contrasts with the rest of the floor.
Smart Flooring: Looking Forwards
New technology is rapidly advancing innovation in flooring solutions. Smart flooring, which can detect falls, monitor movement, and adjust temperature, will soon be more available for domestic use.
These things might not be readily accessible at the moment, but smart flooring solutions for accessibility are something to be aware of because they will drastically change how people live.
Choosing The Right Flooring For Your Needs
We’ve run through the options, but how do you navigate choosing the right flooring for your home and accessibility needs?
Here are the key factors to consider when choosing flooring solutions for accessibility:
Slip Resistance
Flooring gets rated on its slip resistance. The best flooring solutions for accessibility have a high slip resistance rating and reduce the likelihood of accidents in the home.
Durability
When you replace a floor, the last thing you want to worry about is having to repeat the project in the near future. Choose a flooring solution known for its durability, like LVT or rubber flooring, for peace of mind.
Ease Of Maintenance
A floor that is easy to look after is ideal for most of us! Sheet vinyl is perhaps the simplest to wipe clean, and removes the trip hazard of seams and grout lines.
Aesthetics
You still want your home to feel cosy, and you might have a strong eye for interior design. Worry not, there are tons of flooring solutions for accessibility to choose from to suit any theme.
Cost
Price per metre is often a determining factor when it comes to deciding which flooring to use. Sheet vinyl tends to be the lowest cost and porcelain tiles are the biggest investment due to their complex manufacturing process and installation costs.
Changing the flooring in your home can dramatically change the safety and comfort levels in an adapted home. Consulting with an occupational therapist or home adaptation specialist like the John Ford Group can arm you with strong, professional advice and prepare you for your upcoming project.
Accessible Flooring Vastly Improves Safety
Flooring solutions for accessibility don’t have to be boring; there are endless designs and variations to suit any home that can enhance safety, comfort and stunning aesthetics.
With professional guidance from an OT or home adaptation specialist, you can design and create a happy and comfortable home that supports mobility needs.
Interested to find out how we can help you transform your home? Get in touch with us today.
