As a pet owner, selecting the right flooring for your home can be a daunting task. Pets bring joy and companionship into our lives, but these furry friends also bring scratches, spills, and accidents. If you’re planning on getting new floors, it’s a good idea to keep your pets in mind while you’re making your decision.
Flooring that’s durable, easy to clean, and resistant to stains makes it easier to maintain a happy and healthy home. Let’s talk about a few popular flooring options and how they do with pets, as well as a few basic tips that can help you preserve the longevity of your flooring in a pet-friendly home.
Hardwood Flooring: A Classic Choice with Limitations
Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners, but it may not be the best option for pet owners. It’s beautiful and aesthetically versatile, and it maintains a good resale value, but pet owners should consider it carefully, especially if their pets aren’t well-trained.
While hardwood is incredibly durable, it’s prone to scratches and water damage. This can be problematic for anyone with pets who aren’t properly trained or pets with long and non-retractable claws. However, if properly maintained and sealed, hardwood flooring can withstand pet traffic.
Regular polishing and refinishing can help protect the wood, but it’s crucial to address spills quickly to prevent damage. In other words, if you have a potty-training puppy that you leave at home during long work days, you may want to put the wood floor renovation on pause.
Engineered Wood Flooring: A Pet-Friendly Alternative
What if you love the look of hardwood, but you also have a desire for a home full of puppies? Engineered wood flooring is a more pet-friendly alternative to hardwood. Its layered construction provides better stability and resistance to moisture, so while you still need to clean up accidents and spills when you can, it’s less urgent.
This option is less expensive than hardwood and offers a similar aesthetic appeal. However, it’s less durable than hardwood and may not withstand heavy foot traffic quite as well. In the average household, however, most people will not notice a difference.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Luxury Vinyl Planks: Top Recommendations
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) are highly recommended for pet owners due to their exceptional durability and water resistance. These flooring options are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean, making them perfect for households with pets. They also tend to be quite affordable (despite their “luxury” title) and there are many options to suit a wide variety of home aesthetics.
While they may not mimic the natural look of wood or stone, they offer a versatile and practical solution. They work well in modern homes and many people find their contemporary and sleek look appealing.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile: Durable and Low Maintenance
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are excellent choices for pet owners, though they’re not as common anymore. They’re perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, especially for people who keep their pets sequestered in these rooms during workdays.
These tiles are resistant to stains, water, and scratches, making them ideal for households with pets. However, they can be cold to walk on and may crack with heavy impact (though this is uncommon with modern tiles). Regular cleaning is essential to maintain their appearance.
Laminate Flooring: Modern and Pet-Friendly
Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for pet owners due to its durability, ease of maintenance, and affordability. Designed to mimic the look of natural wood or stone, laminate flooring is a cost-effective alternative that can withstand the wear and tear of pets.
One of the primary benefits of laminate flooring for pet owners is its ease of cleaning. Spills and stains can be quickly wiped away with a damp cloth, and routine sweeping or vacuuming maintains its appearance.
Laminate flooring is also designed with a moisture-resistant coating. This feature prevents water damage and bacterial growth, ensuring a clean and hygienic surface for pets to play. It’s also less likely to harbor allergens, dust mites, or bacteria.
Factors to Consider
How do you pick your pet-friendly flooring when you’re getting ready for a renovation?
When choosing flooring as a pet owner, consider factors such as moisture resistance, durability, ease of cleaning, and pet-friendly materials. You should also consider your own specific pet (or pets you plan on getting) and the damage that can come from them. For example, a puppy will cause different types of damage than a cat.
Avoid materials that trap pet dander or harbor bacteria. Maintenance requirements should also be high on your priority list.
Basic Maintenance Tips
Regardless of how “pet-friendly” your flooring is, there are things you can do to help maintain its condition for as long as possible. If you’re getting new floors, you should keep these things in mind so you can keep them looking new long-term despite your furry friends.
To maintain the look and quality of your flooring, clean spills immediately. If you happen to have carpet (not recommended in pet-heavy homes), you should also vacuum often to avoid fur, dust, and allergens getting deep into the fibers.
Trim your pet’s nails regularly and place mats at entrances if you have pets that go outside. If you have a puppy, use a puppy pad until training is complete. If you have a cat, place mats under litter boxes.
Even with flooring that isn’t ideal for a home with pets, you can minimize damage with these suggestions.
Upgrade Your Home With Pet-Friendly Flooring Options
Are you ready to get new flooring installed in your home? With the right flooring and maintenance, you can maintain the look of your flooring makeover long-term. You and your pets can live in harmony with your flooring! No need to cover everything with rugs.
At LA Carpet, we’d love to help you choose and install flooring that’s perfect for your household. We have a wide variety of options to suit any home, even ones with furry companions. Reach out for a free estimate today.
