When it comes to building a home, most contractors focus on the attractiveness of the kitchen cabinets and countertops. Most houses aren’t built with handicapped accessibility in mind. According to the Disability Statistics Center, an estimated 1.6 million Americans use wheelchairs. Their homes require customizations to allow them to function, like roll-in showers, wide doorways and hallways, not to mention ramps and overall spacious layouts that allow for them to easily move throughout their homes.
The biggest factor contributing to the accessibility of a home is the flooring. Here are some recommendations for the best flooring types for each room in a handicapped-accessible home:
- Bedrooms. Nothing creates a warm, homey feel in a room like carpet. Unfortunately, most carpet is an enemy of wheelchairs. If you want carpet in the bedroom, avoid plush carpets and thick underpads, which can make wheelchair users like they are rolling through sand. Glue down the entire carpet to the underpad to help prevent the carpet from bunching up beneath the wheels.
- Living Areas. Laminate is great for living areas like living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways in handicapped-accessible homes. Laminate flooring is durable, so it will withstand the constant wheelchair traffic. It’s as great-looking as hardwood, but doesn’t require as much maintenance.
- Ktichens & Bathrooms. The key to choosing flooring for these rooms is water resistance, so tile makes a great choice. Depending on your taste, textured tiles are available, which provide more traction than smooth surfaces. For less maintenance, opt for 2-inch tiles since they require less grout and therefore less cleaning.
For your special flooring needs, contact the flooring experts in Madison at 608-620-7256.