Living with allergies often means being hyper-aware of your environment. You might already use an air purifier, keep windows closed during pollen season, and vacuum religiously, but your flooring could still be working against you.
Floors can collect everything from dust and pollen to pet dander and mold spores. For many allergy sufferers, choosing the right flooring is a health decision as much as it’s an aesthetic one.
If you're looking for the best flooring for allergies, here’s what you should know.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood offers a smooth, non-porous surface that’s easy to keep clean. All you need is a vacuum with a HEPA filter, a soft broom, and an occasional damp mop to maintain a clean, healthy surface.
With Landmark Interiors engineered hardwood, you can choose products that are CARB2 compliant and Greenguard certified, so you can breathe easier knowing your flooring meets strict standards for indoor air quality.
CARB2 compliance creates a standard for formaldehyde emissions, ensuring that minimal emissions occur from this flooring. Greenguard-certified flooring has met the EPA indoor air requirements for low chemical and product emissions (volatile organic compounds), which means cleaner air and fewer asthma and allergy symptoms in your home!
If you're installing it in a bedroom or living room, floating or staple-down methods can also help you avoid adhesives, which are common triggers for people with chemical sensitivities.
Luxury Vinyl Tile & Plank (LVT & LVP)
Looking for flooring that mimics the look of wood or tile but requires minimal maintenance? Luxury vinyl plank and tile are great choices for allergy-conscious households.
LVP and LVT have dense, non-porous surfaces that don’t give allergens a place to settle. They’re incredibly easy to clean, as well. Daily sweeping and a weekly mop are usually all it takes. Vinyl is also naturally resistant to moisture, which helps prevent mold and mildew, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways.
Many Landmark Interiors luxury vinyl collections feature antimicrobial surfaces and glue-free installation options, giving you even more peace of mind over your indoor air quality. It’s a smart pick if you’re trying to reduce allergens while still keeping style and durability front and center.
Water-Resistant Laminate
Families with kids or pets often gravitate toward laminate flooring. It’s durable, cost-effective and can also be a strong ally in the fight against allergens.
Landmark Interiors water-resistant laminate flooring features tight locking systems that prevent moisture from seeping below the surface. That means less opportunity for mold or mildew to take hold. Laminate is also easy to keep clean with regular sweeping and damp mopping, and its hard surface leaves little room for allergens to accumulate.
If your home is full of activity, laminate can give you the look of wood with added scratch resistance and easier upkeep.
Recycled Rubber
If you’re outfitting a gym, playroom, or rec center, don’t overlook the flooring. Recycled rubber flooring is a smart, sustainable option for high-traffic spaces like schools, gyms, and childcare centers. Made from repurposed materials such as old tires, it keeps waste out of landfills and supports cleaner indoor air.
Its water-resistant surface helps prevent mold and mildew, both common allergens. Daily vacuuming and occasional mopping are all it takes to maintain a clean, allergen-resistant environment. Many Landmark Interiors recycled rubber products also offer LEED benefits, supporting green building goals while promoting better indoor air.
Skip the Carpet
If you’ve struggled with allergies for years, you may already suspect that carpet isn’t doing you any favors. Even with weekly vacuuming and deep cleaning, carpet holds onto allergens in a way that hard flooring simply doesn’t.
Dust mites, pet hair, and pollen can embed deep into carpet fibers, and some carpet pads can even retain moisture, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold. On the other hand, engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl, and laminate offer surfaces that can be cleaned thoroughly and frequently.
In the debate of carpet vs. hardwood for allergies, smooth, sealed flooring comes out on top every time.
What Makes Flooring Allergy-Friendly?
The best flooring for allergies will actively contribute to cleaner indoor air and allow for fewer allergen traps in your home. If you’re trying to create a healthier space, these are the features to prioritize:
Smooth, Non-Porous Surfaces
Textured or fibrous surfaces can hold onto dust, pet hair, and pollen. Smooth floors like engineered hardwood, vinyl, and laminate make it much harder for allergens to hide. These surfaces allow particles to remain on top, where they can easily be swept or vacuumed away.
Easy-to-Clean Finishes
If a floor requires complicated cleaning routines, allergens are more likely to build up. Flooring that stands up to regular vacuuming, sweeping, and damp mopping is ideal. Many Landmark Interiors products feature wear layers or sealed coatings that make cleaning straightforward and effective.
Low-VOC or VOC-Free Materials
Some flooring products, especially those made with adhesives or certain finishes, can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals can irritate respiratory conditions and trigger allergy symptoms. Look for options that are CARB2 compliant or Greenguard certified to minimize airborne irritants in your home.
Moisture Resistance
Moisture-resistant flooring prevents water from seeping into the material or subfloor, helping to reduce the risk of mold or mildew forming under your feet. This is especially important in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens.
Allergy-Safe Installation Methods
Flooring adhesives can release fumes or compounds that may aggravate allergies during and after installation. Landmark Interiors offers several glue-free installation methods, including floating and staple-down options, that reduce exposure to chemicals and support a healthier indoor environment from day one.
Breathe Easier with Flooring Options for Allergy Sufferers
You don’t have to sacrifice comfort or style to create a healthier home. Landmark Interiors offers premium flooring solutions that make it easier to manage indoor allergens in both residential and commercial settings. With the right floors and regular care, you can enjoy cleaner air, fewer allergy symptoms, and a space that truly feels like home.
Find your nearest Landmark Interiors retailer to get your allergy-friendly flooring today.
Please note: This blog is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or make health claims. Always consult your healthcare provider for allergy-related concerns. Flooring options mentioned are based on general industry knowledge and are not guaranteed to alleviate allergy symptoms.