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Ceramic Tile Flooring the Healthy Choice

Ceramic Tile Flooring has Many Health Advantages over Carpet Flooring

By Mark J. Donovan

Ceramic tile flooring is a much healthier choice for flooring than carpeting. Tile is also much easier to keep clean compared to carpeting. Carpet is one of the major contributors in the home to allegories and indoor air pollution. Wall to wall carpeting, and even carpet throw rugs, are harbingers of dust, dust mites, and mold and mildew. In addition, it is extremely difficult to remove these gremlins from carpeting, even with the best vacuum cleaners. Also, carpeting is constructed with glues, dyed synthetic fibers, and coated with various dirt and mold/mildew protective coatings to create other health concerns in the home.

All of the materials and chemicals in the carpeting outgas overtime as the carpeting ages and breaks down. As the chemicals outgas they contribute to the home’s indoor house pollution and often cause respiratory issues with the home’s occupants. Carpeting, unlike ceramic tile flooring, also traps dirt and other potentially toxic items that are tracked into the home via shoes and pets. Toxic items brought into the home, and that are trapped in the carpet, include lawn pesticides and fertilizers, microscopic bacteria, and fecal matter. If the home was built pre 1979, even lead from exterior paint chips could be brought into the home and trapped in the carpeting. Shampooing and cleaning carpeting does little to remove all of these materials from the carpet. As a matter of fact, shampooing and cleaning carpets often leads to mold and mildew growth.

Ceramic tile flooring on the other hand cannot absorb or trap dust mites since the tiles are manufactured from dense natural clays that are fired in a kiln. Consequently, simply sweeping or vacuuming the ceramic tile floor occasionally will keep it free from dust and dust mites. Also any mold and mildew growth that could potentially grow on the ceramic floor tile can easily be removed with a wet mop and any house hold floor cleaner.

Ceramic tile is also installed with natural products such as thinset mortar or adhesives that are buried underneath the ceramic floor tiles. Even tile grout is made from similar Portland cement products that are of low toxicity.

After the grout is mixed with water and the grout has set up it is virtually contaminate free and will not trap dirt, dust or dust mites. Any mold and mildew growth concerns can be addressed by applying a grout sealer periodically and washing the ceramic tile floor regularly.

So when contemplating your flooring options in a new home or home addition, consider spending a little extra money on the healthier choice flooring product, ceramic tile. You won’t regret the decision.

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