Wooden floors and children

Choosing a parquet floor for a home with young children may not seem a winning choice. The first impression is that of a delicate floor, which needs to be carefully protected and therefore not suitable for the daily use of toddlers who might unwittingly damage it while playing. However, it is best not to dwell on the surface and investigate further: parquet actually has many features that make it a suitable type of floor for children. Because of its texture and ability to absorb sound, it is more than suitable as a floor for the little ones.

Parquet: a safe surface to play on

The bedroom is the place where children spend most of their time, busy playing or resting. Choosing the right floor for this room is therefore particularly important. Consideration must be given not only to style, but also to the more practical and functional aspect: the priority is to choose a safe surface to play on. And, although you may not suspect it, a parquet floor is an excellent alternative to carpet or laminate flooring. Let’s start with you as parents: first, you need to be sure to install a floor that is durable and easy to clean. And if you have small children, you know that they can spend a lot of time playing on the floor, so it is likely to get stained with food or drink. Luckily, wood is easy to clean; just wipe it with a damp mop to remove any surface stains. Other features to be considered critically are warmth, softness, and comfort. And wood is a winning material in these respects: it is a non-hard surface, which becomes a safe landing if you fall; it is a warm floor ideal to play on barefoot without being cold or damp; and, of course, it is an element that lends beauty and comfort to the entire room. Finally, another element that should not be underestimated is sturdiness: little ones can be messy and unfocused on protecting floor surfaces, which could then incur scratches and abrasions. So, the advantages of choosing a parquet flooring for a home with children are many. Let’s investigate them better.

Parquet for kids MILANO Collection – Mardegan Legno

5 pros of parquet flooring: why choose it even with kids

Resistant to knocks and scratches, durable: parquet floors are resistant and cannot be damaged easily, especially if they have a quality protective layer on the surface. Choosing the right wood in this case is everything. Oak for example, in addition to being the quintessential classic wood, is one of the most resistant to scratches. A hardwood floor that never disappoints expectations, especially if there are children in the house. One trick is to favour a floor with grains that can mask scratches and marks with the natural texture of the wood, much more than a smooth, shiny parquet floor would.

Wood creates a warm environment thanks to the insulating feature: on the floor children play, run barefoot, spend time sitting or lying down. So, it is important to choose a floor that is warm and capable of cushioning shocks. And parquet flooring comes to your aid: it creates a warm, harmonious and relaxing environment with its excellent insulating properties. Wood is a material that keeps its temperature constant, which is why floors are cool in summer and warm in winter.

Timeless beauty, a floor to customise: when you think of an elegant and refined floor, the association with parquet is immediate. Wood floors convey a special aesthetic appeal and enhance it with the patterns and geometries that can be created by a cleverly designed arrangement of the boards. The lovely thing is that different processes and colours correspond to different atmospheres. You can customise your own!

No dust, no stains: wood is a hypoallergenic material. This is already an advantage for toddlers who spend most of their time crawling on it. But it is the fact that it is easy to dust the floor that makes it even more advantageous: an excellent choice for children who suffer from dust mite allergies.

Jumping and running on the floor.  Better to absorb the noise.  Children run and jump around in their bedrooms and neighbours may not like hearing noises and footsteps.   For this, a floor that can absorb sound is recommended. And wood flooring, from this point of view, is a winning choice. The fibrous structure proves perfect for absorbing noise.  In fact, parquet is sound absorbing, a real natural sound insulator.

Wooden flooring, dogs and cats: friends or foes?

Parquet and children: tips and handy tips for cleaning and maintenance

An old saying goes:  “Prevention is better than cure” even when we are talking about a parquet flooring. To avoid damage and dents on the boards, first choose a floor that is well protected by oiling and painting the surface. A protective surface layer will defend the wood from wear and dirt by ensuring that stains do not penetrate deep into the boards. Besides, oil or varnish has the advantage of unifying the floor of the entire room with the same gloss, imparting a homogeneous and balanced appearance to the wood.
Now here are some handy tips: if there are chairs, tables, and desks in the room, remember to use soft felt pads under the legs of these furnishing elements.  This is a small tip but very effective in preventing the floor from incurring marks and scratches. And what about the children’s room, you can’t beat a play mat.  They will be free to play and run around while the floor will be safe. One item for a double benefit… and don’t forget that you can store it away when not needed.

Parquet for children Querce millenaire – Mardegan Legno

Wood is a remarkably important, inherently valuable material. In keeping with our principles and philosophy, we carried out a series of endurance tests at Catas, a centre specialising in research, development, and testing in the areas of wood, furniture, environment and food. These tests have been carried out to provide you with peace of mind when choosing your floor, demonstrating its safety and durability. Find out more in our certifications section.

Besides, our floor boasts an antibacterial surface that is both people and environment friendly.

In conclusion, parquet flooring can also be an optimal solution when children are at home. In fact, there are many qualities of wood that make it perfect as a floor for children’s rooms as well. And there are small tricks that make a big difference in the maintenance and cleaning of hardwood floors; follow them and your hardwood floor will stay beautiful as the years go by. 

Wooden floor: 5 reasons to choose one