Wood floors help reduce harmful allergens in the home.

  
  In addition to the fact that they're natural, renewable and durable, wood floors contribute to better air quality because they don't collect dust, bacteria and dirt that are often embedded in carpet. Simple regular maintenance such as dust mopping, sweeping and vacuuming can also help keep wood floors allergen-free.

Hiding Harmful Bacteria
Other types of flooring such as carpet can hide harmful bacteria, mold spores and pet dander which researchers believe could be responsible for the increase in asthma cases across the U.S. According to Allergy Consumer Review, allergens account for more than 10 million Americans missing workdays and 10,000 children missing school each year.

"Over the years, we've seen a number of allergy and asthma cases attributed to poor air quality in people's homes," said Neil Schachter, M.D., professor of pulmonary medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "Many people don't realize that some of these cases can be prevented by taking simple precautions such as changing the type of floors in your bedrooms or altering the insulation in your ceiling."

A recent EPA study also found that hardwood floors greatly reduce the accumulation of toxins such as pesticides which are used in gardens and homes. To help improve indoor air quality, Dr. Schachter offers these simple tips from his book Life and Breath:
  • Ventilate, but not too much - Eliminate dust and pollen by using adjustable window filters which fit between the window and windowsill and allow for fresh air while trapping 95 percent of the outdoor pollen.
  • Check your air conditioner - Check the ducts in a central air-conditioning unit once a month to remove extra water that may have accumulated and make sure to keep the relative humidity in the home between 40 and 50 percent. Humidity can be tested with a simple thermometer/hygrometer combo available in most garden stores.
  • Modify your heating system - Electrical heating systems are recommended for people with respiratory problems, but to improve the indoor air quality in an existing heating system, make sure the furnace is vented outside the home and replace the standard furnace filter with a high-performance filter.
  • Inspect your walls - Wallpaper is a potent food for both dust mites and mold, both of which can grow behind the wallpaper. Use flat, washable paint on walls such as latex or resin-based paint that doesn't contain volatile compounds.
  • Avoid carpet in the bedroom - It's estimated that the average bed contains an estimated 10,000 dust mites which usually burrow themselves deep into carpets. Controlling dust mites, particularly in the bedroom, is important for sustaining asthma and allergy relief.
Why Wood Flooring?
In addition to its aesthetic value and the fact that it contributes to allergy relief, wood flooring is made from a renewable, sustainable resource. Plus, a new wood floor can outlast carpeting by a factor of three-to-six times. When installed by a professional, wood floors only need refinishing every 10 to 15 years, vs. the seven to 10 year lifespan of carpet.

"Wood floors are not only beautiful, they're also extremely durable and renewable," said Kelly McCloskey, president and CEO of the Wood Promotion Network. "And by installing wood floors in their homes, consumers send a signal to the industry to plant more trees - resulting in more forestland. Thanks to this demand, North American forests have grown by more than 10 million acres in the last decade and the U.S. has the same forest cover as it did 100 years ago."

An Eco-Friendly Trend
According to the National Wood Flooring Association, the use of recycled or reclaimed wood - salvaged from factories, barns and river beds - is also becoming a popular design trend. Unlike other types of flooring such as carpet, when a wood floor reaches the end of its life, it is also completely bio-degradable.

"In addition to promoting a healthier lifestyle, wood floors are a positive choice for the environment," said Ed Korczak, executive director of the National Wood Flooring Association. "Most hardwoods are selectively harvested from privately managed, renewable forests. The current trend of using recycled and reclaimed wood flooring from old structures and river bottoms further reinforces its environmental friendliness. While other flooring options will eventually wear out and need to be replaced, wood flooring can be renewed for centuries of beauty."

Korczak notes that, for today's environmentally conscious consumer, wood is a perfect flooring choice. "For every tree harvested in the U.S., 10 are planted in its place," he said. "And that's just the beginning. Research shows that wood is energy efficient and generally eco-friendly throughout its entire life cycle, from extraction and production, through recycling, to the end of its useful life."