Buying Carpeting for Universal Design
Although you can install ceramic or vinyl tile in your living spaces (easy to maneuver on with wheelchairs, walkers, etc.), many people prefer the warmth and softness that carpeting affords. Also with its non-skid surface, carpeting can help reduce falls and this is important to people with limited mobility.
There are some considerations you should make when buying carpeting, however.
I know that you would love to surround yourself with thick velvety textured carpeting, but we are thinking about universal design now so it is necessary to do a little research and consider something a more practical. Universal Design does not mean that you have to give up the idea of having attractive carpeting in your home.
A safe floor covering is essential, whether you are talking about low-pile, flat wall-to-wall carpeting, taping down rugs or eliminating all small slippery throw rugs in your house. Look at everything with an eye to what it would be like maneuvering a walker, wheelchair or cane. The wrong choice of carpeting and padding can make it difficult for anyone who is mobility impaired.
The basic principle is that the harder the carpet feels, the easier it will be to traverse. All of the carpeting in your living and entertaining areas should be non-slip and level. If a wheelchair, crutches or walker will be used in the space, the floor cover should be smooth, compact and static resistant.
Look for low-level densely packed pile carpeting or an industrial style that will provide surer footing and prevent tripping.
Consider buying a very short looped pile carpet with a dense commercial grade of padding underneath that is glued on both sides. The term “loop” refers to a carpet having a surface made up of uncut loops. Looped pile, rather than cut pile is preferred for ease of wheelchair, crutch or walker movement. Thicker rugs can cause foot drag that can be dangerous for anyone with impaired mobility and of course wall-to-wall carpeting is much safer than area rugs.
Do carpet colors matter?
Psychologists will tell you that carpets with vibrant color patterns may be confusing for older and visually impaired individuals, and they often recommend soothing solid colors. A complementary color or pattern along the edges of the room can help low vision individuals mark boundaries, and keep in mind that dramatic color contrasts will appear as a change in levels to someone with low vision.
Once again, for an accessible and mature friendly home, you want a low-pile carpet that is fairly dense. The lower, dense nap helps prevent tripping and it is easy to move across it with a walker or a wheel chair.
I can hear you groaning already! But don't worry--mature-friendly carpeting doesn’t have to be ugly, and if it can make a difference between getting around safely in your own home or not, it is worth doing a little research or asking for professional help.
The book Remodeling for Easy Access Living by Rick Peters mentions carpeting made by Honeywell Anso that is soft, durable, easy to maintain, and resists stains and soiling
(www.ansonylon.com) and might be a good place to start when making comparisons.
Source: Remodeling for Easy Access Living
by Rick Peters (Popular Mechanics Series 2006)High Access Home: Design and Decoration for Barrier-Free Living
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