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Best Flooring Options for Dogs & Cats

December 30, 2021 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

If you’re a pet-owner, you’re probably already all too familiar with the wear and tear that our furry friends can cause to your home over time. Scratches, stains, odors and dirt are all common pet-caused hassles that can be especially damaging to floors.

That’s why many pet-owners, whether they’re building or remodeling a home, are cautious about what type of flooring they choose to install in the areas in which their pets live with them.

Before you begin your search, there are 4 common concerns that pet owners should consider when searching for flooring for their next project.

  1. Scratch resistance: How well does the floor resist scratches and other marks, commonly caused by dogs’ nails as they walk around?
  2. Damage resistance: Does the floor have a natural resistance to damage from things like pet urine and other accidents?
  3. Traction & comfort: Does the surface of the floor allow pets to move, walk, run, sit and lay safely and comfortably?
  4. Durability & ease of cleaning: How easy is it to regularly clean the floor and return it to its original look?

So, with all of that in mind, which types of flooring are best for dogs and other pets? You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you have a lot of options when it comes to pet-friendly flooring.

Modern innovations have led to pet-focused technologies and warranties across the entire spectrum of flooring categories. We’ll dive into each one and give you our top product recommendations.

Pet-friendly carpet

Many people prefer soft, warm carpet in their bedrooms, but it’s probably not your first thought when you’re trying to pick flooring for a home with pets.

Carpet feels good for your pets to lie down, but it can be tough to clean and is prone to easy wear and tear. If you do opt for carpet, consider keeping it in low-traffic areas (such as bedrooms) where your pets don’t spend much time playing and running around.

Pet-friendly tile

Tile is well-suited to homes with pets in the family. Its hard surface and dense makeup make tile extremely durable and resistant to scratches from toenails.

Tile is also very easy to clean, as soil and pet hair sits on the surface. A routine sweeping, dusting or gentle vacuuming will pick up most solid debris. Wet mop as soon as spills or accidents occur, and you’ll be able to keep your tile looking and smelling as fresh and clean as the day you bought it.

The only significant drawback to having tile in a home with pets is that the surface is relatively cold and hard in comparison to most other types of flooring. You can solve this by laying down area rugs throughout your space, or a soft dog or cat bed or cushion.

Pet-friendly vinyl flooring

Luxury vinyl is arguably the ideal choice for pet-friendly flooring. The list of benefits is long. For example, vinyl flooring:

  • Is extremely affordable compared to other flooring options
  • Can be installed anywhere in the home, on, above or below grade
  • Offers great traction with realistic wood textures
  • Comes in a variety of beautiful, natural designs that mimic wood and tile
  • Is easy to clean and resistant to scratches and stains
  • Does not trap or release allergens into the air
  • Is comfortable and quiet underfoot

You may be considering LifeProof Vinyl Flooring. Be sure to educate yourself on the pros and cons before making your decision.

The main potential drawback to vinyl flooring is that it can be susceptible to water or other liquid damage. However, modern innovation has led to a number of waterproof vinyl options that are well-suited to homes with pets.

Pet-friendly laminate flooring

Laminate is similar to vinyl in many ways. It looks like hardwood, is easy to clean, and it resists water and scratches well.

You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the difference between vinyl plank vs. laminate before you start the decision making process.

One drawback to laminate are that it often has a slippery surface that isn’t great for soft paws. You can avoid this by choosing a laminate with a textured surface. These floors are beautiful and are especially good for active or older dogs.

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Filed Under: Hints & Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: flooring for cats, flooring for dogs, flooring for pets, pet friendly flooring

The Best Floors for Pet Owners

January 31, 2020 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

There are many variables to consider when shopping the market for your next flooring. Since flooring can be a significant investment that can last for many years to come, it is crucial to pick one that you love. However, pet owners are troubled with another variable. Not only does your floor need to withstand you and your family’s standards of living but also your four-legged family members as well. It would be a shame to invest in a floor that is not suitable for everyone. Well, have no fear, because we explored several of the most common flooring options to discover which is the most pet-friendly option to consider adding to your home. Let’s take a look!

Carpet

No surprise, carpet is not the most ideal flooring option for pets. While it is soft and can be great for you to spend time on the ground with your pets, it is not best for longevity. Carpet has made many advancements in preventing stains; however, if accidents penetrate down to the padding, it can leave a foul odor in your home. Carpet can also easily collect dust, fur, and dirt from your animals. And if your animals go outside or spend time with other animals, it can also store fleas.

Hardwood

Hardwood is a durable option depending on what kind you buy. From floating engineer to solid hardwood, different hardwoods all have their own sets of pros and cons. However, hardwood can scratch. While it can be sanded and refinished, it is essential to know that hardwood is not the most durable option. You can also have permanent damage to your floor if water or pet accidents occur. Hardwood can easily be ruined when exposed to liquids. If your dog love to run around your home as well, hardwood may not be best for traction under their paws.

Luxury Vinyl

Most vinyl plank floorings are marketed as pet-proof. They are 100% waterproof and extremely scratch-resistant. These durable floors can stand many of the obstacles pets throw at them. They are also extremely easy to clean if accidents do occur.

Tile

Tile is another great option. Tile is waterproof and durable. It can be easy to clean while being scratch-resistant. Your main concern is dirt collecting in the grout lines over time. You may also want to note that these floors can become slippery when wet and may give your pet a hard time to find traction.

It comes down to personal preference. While no floor is perfect in every situation, vinyl plank flooring reigns supreme as an excellent option for pet owners. You will need to make sure that this option is also functional with your lifestyle. You may want to consider another great option like tile as well. All in all, the choice is yours. Make sure to weigh out the pros and cons of every flooring option and find which is best for your home.

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Filed Under: Hard Flooring Tagged With: flooring, flooring for pets, floors, pet, pet owners, pets

Different Flooring Types for Pets | Pros and Cons

October 3, 2019 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

Pets are members of our family, and we treat them as such. We need to pick our flooring accordingly so that any damage to a new floor is not the pet’s fault. One of the best questions to ask yourself is if you had it to do over again, what would you do differently regarding pets and your current flooring? We have listed the following pros and cons of pet flooring choices that you should find very helpful when in the market for new flooring.

Carpet

Pro

Carpet is a favorite option for homeowners since it creates a soft and warm floor for pets to stretch out.

Con

Carpet requires high maintenance, especially if your pet has accidents, like training a new puppy. You must have it professionally cleaned or invest in a carpet shampooer.

Hardwood

Pro

Hardwood floors are durable, but not immune to pet accidents and scratches due to large, active dogs running through the house. However, if you find the accident quickly, it can be cleaned, and no damage will occur. Also, hardwood floors last for years and years and can be refinished over time, resulting in the look of a brand new floor.

Con

The cons are accidents and scratches from the dog’s nails while running through the house.

Laminate Flooring

Pro

Laminate flooring is often a choice by homeowners due to its cost compared to hardwood floors. There is a protective covering on the top layer of laminate flooring that will help protect against scratches.

Con

Laminate floors will show scratches, especially if you have a smooth glossy finish. If your pet has an accident and you are not home to clean it up quickly, the moisture will damage the flooring, especially if left for several hours.

Tile Flooring

Pro

Tile flooring is often a favorite of homeowners with pets. It is resilient to accidents, and no matter how active your dogs might be, their nails will not damage the flooring. You can put down an area rug so that pets have a softer surface to sleep.

Con

The main con for tile floors and pets is that tile is cold and hard. Often times, in the winter months, tile floors are extremely cold unless you have an area rug or heated floors.

Natural Stone

Pro

Stone flooring’s pros and cons are very similar to tile flooring. Stone flooring is known for its undeniable beauty and durability. It is resilient to bathroom accidents, and no matter how active your dogs might be, their nails will not damage the flooring. You can put down an area rug so that pets have a softer surface to sleep.

Con

The main con for stone flooring is it is not warm and soft for pets. Again, during cold winter months, stone floors are very cold unless you have heated floors or an area rug.

Luxury Vinyl

Pro

In many cases, luxury vinyl is the best option for homeowners with pets. Pay careful attention to LVF because many brands are 100% moisture-proof and are competitively priced compared to hardwoods, laminate, tile, and stone flooring.

Also, many brands have a thick cork backing that is great for standing on for long periods of time. Also, if you buy a hand-scraped plank or tile/stone flooring with a less smooth finish, you will not see any dents or scratches from your pet’s nails.

Con

As far as the cons go for LVT, the least likable fact is that due to its elastic contents, the manufacturing process is not as environmentally friendly as other options.

We hope that you found this list helpful, and be sure to check back weekly for more flooring advice.

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Filed Under: Featured, Hard Flooring Tagged With: flooring for pets, pets

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