Floors & Floor Coverings Feature
Interiors
Safer by design
Flooring plays a vital role in the safety as well as the comfort of our lives and is a critical consideration in the social housing, care and retirement sectors. Louise Walters from Designer Contracts explains
P
roviding a comfortable and safe foundation in homes where more vulnerable people may live, begins with the floor. As a joint report – ‘Floored’ – from TPAS Cymru and Tai Pawb in Wales into the provision
of flooring in newly-let social homes found, flooring is not just a nicety: for the majority of tenants who took part in the survey and did not have carpets or suitable flooring in their home, the lack of it actually impacted on their health and wellbeing. Tey listed issues such as a lack of warmth, safety and sound in their homes;
health issues, including breathing difficulties; and depression. Responses from tenants with children highlighted safety issues and an increase in isolation and loneliness in not being able to invite friends to visit. Consider also that the number of people living with dementia in the UK
is forecast to cross the one million mark by 2025 (Alzheimer’s Society) and it’s clear that specialist flooring has a growing role to play in providing a safe, reassuring and comfortable environment. Terefore, taking the end user of the product into serious consideration is
essential when it comes to specifying the correct type of flooring. And for those responsible for providing floorcoverings to these sectors, it means there are three key considerations – safety, practicality and durability.
SAFETY, PRACTICALITY AND DURABILITY High traffic areas require a more hardwearing, durable flooring than anywhere else in a property. Over time, excessive use can mean the floorcovering can
lose its appeal. Hard flooring such as vinyl or safety flooring provides robust options that will help with appearance, retention and durability. Underlay plays an important role too – with a good quality option highly recommended to help prolong the life of flooring. It can also reduce noise on harder surfaces and provide added warmth and insulation. Te simple addition of an entrance mat will also help to protect the flooring
inside a domestic property or communal space. It keeps the dirt and moisture out and stops it from being tracked inside, helping to prolong the life of flooring and keep it looking good for longer. Te use of a slip-resistant, water-resistant flooring in areas such as the kitchen
and bathroom is a must. Due to the increased potential risk of slip hazards in these areas it is essential to select a floor that offers excellent slip resistance and meets any necessary health and safety guidelines required for the type of property or area. Tere is a further risk of slips in specially adapted wet rooms or bathrooms
which will require an enhanced slip resistant vinyl safety floor with a raised emboss that is designed for continuous wet areas. Soſter options like carpet will always be a popular choice for bedrooms
and living areas, particularly something durable and easy to maintain, such as polypropylene which is naturally stain resistant. Tis makes it ideal for homes where spills and accidents easily happen. Communal areas such as corridors, stairs and lounges in shared living space are busy and noisy and demand a safe, durable and potentially sound reducing
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMJune/July 2023 | 23
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