Of course, you want your adored pets to be comfortable, but you need a pet-friendly floor that is durable, easy to care for, and attractive! Flooring must be able to stand up to your pets nails, hair, dirt, and wet spots.
These days, we have more flooring choices than ever. Did you know that more than 60% of families in the U.S. share their homes with pets? It’s no surprise the flooring industry is getting creative with options that are durable, inexpensive, and stylish. Most of us are familiar with tile and laminate as pet-friendly options. However, many of us don’t realize that vinyl, carpet, and lvp are also great solutions. While wood is beautiful, it’s one of the least durable options for homes with pets—sharp claws can make short work of the floor.
Here are a few items to help select the right pet-friendly flooring:
Cool, Natural, and Affordable Solutions:
Those in warm climates can benefit from the cool, natural flooring options that are so often associated with showcase homes.
Tile: Easily one of the most popular flooring options for pet owners and people with allergies. Tile is cool, easy to maintain, and very pet-friendly. When using tile be sure to incorporate some stylish, nonslip rugs into your design. Rugs help ensure young animals don’t slide into walls while playing and create a soft area for senior animals to rest their arthritic bones.
Tip: Stock up on extra tiles at the time of purchase to keep your color consistent in case of repairs.
Warm, Inviting and Durable Solutions:
If you live in an “all-weather” region, you might be on the hunt for warm, durable solutions. These include vinyl, laminate and carpet options. These flooring options are chic, aesthetically pleasing, and are easy to maintain.
Vinyl: Vinyl flooring is very durable and resistant to moisture. Simple to maintain, it has the added bonus of muffling the sounds your pet’s nails make as they click across the floor. Vinyl flooring comes in a large variety of colors and designs, so you never have to sacrifice style for comfort.
Tip: Some types of vinyl are thicker and have richer colors.
Laminate: If you’re looking for the aristocratic feel of wood floors without all the maintenance; laminate flooring is a durable solution that can hold up to the hard nails of your pet without scratching. While it’s not quite as durable as vinyl, the laminate is affordable, easy to maintain and lasts much longer than wood.
Tip: Check the warranty—they can range from 10 years to a lifetime.
Carpet Tiles: These are an excellent alternative to heavy floor rugs. Carpet tiles can be used to cover up and preserve wood floors. Carpet tiles are a great option over concrete as well. Simple to assemble, these can be used as an entire floor or as a way to preserve a high-use area. Cleaning is as simple as removing the carpet tile that is soiled and running it under water or tossing it in the washer. A vacuum can clean up larger areas. Using tiles as a runner for areas your pets like to charge through, can help eliminate any problems of getting toenails caught in carpet loops. The variety of patterns enable you to create a custom design.
Tip: Look for clever ideas to create unique, affordable designs.
LVF: Luxury vinyl is new in pet-friendly flooring and has become very popular. LVF has a large selection of colors and styles, is durable and easy to maintain. Stainmaster has introduced luxury vinyl flooring that is designed to not only resist claw scratches, pet stains, and pet odors but also provide pet-action traction. This feature helps minimize the need for rugs.
Tip: Floor can be repaired if damaged.
Whatever flooring you select, focus on easily maintained, durable and mildew-resistant designs. All of the above options, can last a long time and add value to your home. Pet-friendly (and pet-resistant) flooring ensures you won’t grow frustrated with damage caused by your four-legged family members. These days, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort and durability for style.
