Choosing Pet-Friendly Flooring

Whether you’re a fully devoted dog lover, a cat enthusiast or the proud owner of another friend from the animal kingdom; we know that pets are very much part of the family. They, of course, share our home and as much as we may love them we know that paws and claws mean furnishings take an extra battering.

If you are building a new home, renovating your current space or just fancy changing up the floor, it is important to consider your pets when making this decision. The obvious things to think about are the ease of cleaning and the durability of a floor, but there are many other advantages and disadvantages for each type of floor in regards to it being pet-friendly.

Our experience over the years means we have access to a whole range of flooring to help you decide what is best for you including some top tips on how to keep your floor in top condition when caring for an animal.

Hardwood

Without doing your research, it could be a common mistake to think that hardwood flooring is the best floor, however, this isn’t the case. Hardwood can be prone to stains and water damage. When hardwood is damaged, it can be very hard to fix.

However that being said, if your heart is set on hardwood then we recommend choosing Bamboo, Oak, Mahogany or Maple. This is because these types tend to be harder and therefore harder to damage or scratch.

Softwood such as Pine, Chestnut and Fir are more prone to dents and scratches so should be avoided.

Hardwood Pros:

• Easy to vacuum and sweep
• Available in lots of styles with various finishes

Hardwood cons:

• Can be expensive
• Prone to water damage and dents
• Salt crystals in pet urine can cause stains to potentially reappear over time.

Carpet or carpet tiles

Carpet and carpet tiles can be seen as the opposite to hardwood in the sense that many people think it’s not very pet-friendly when in fact it is, providing it is cleaned regularly.

Carpet offers a cosy landing for our furry friends and is best used in low traffic areas such as bedrooms. It is also worth knowing that carpets come with different file types, for example, you can get ones without loops so your pet’s claws won’t snag on it.

Carpet Pros:

• Comfortable underfoot and a soft landing for pets
• Available in various colours and styles
• Carpet tiles are easily replaced if one does get damaged
• The sound of scrabbling claws eliminated

Carpet cons:

• Harder to clean than other flooring types
• Can be prone to wear and tear.

Laminate

One of the best things about laminate is that is can look as nice as hardwood flooring but is much more cost effective and easier to replace should a bit get damaged. It is also less likely to get stained and is very easy to clean.

The hardness and durability are great for your pet however if a smooth finish is what you like, you may need to compromise on pet traction. However, this can be combatted with laminate if you choose a textured design or get an embossed finish which will reduce slipping. You could also opt to dress the floor with a large rug.

Laminate Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Water resistant
• Any scratches are typically less noticeable

Laminate Cons:

• Slippery surface
• Not as long lasting as hardwood

Vinyl

This is a good choice for most pet owners. Compared to other flooring materials Vinyl is extremely affordable and can be installed almost anywhere. The style options are endless so there is no need to compromise on style.

Vinyl Pros:

• Scratch and stain resistant
• Easy to clean
• Promotes low levels of allergens – read more here about flooring for those with allergies.
• Quiet underfoot

Vinyl Cons:

• Water spills can cause mildew or lifting

Tips to take care of your pet-friendly flooring

Regardless of what type of floor you opt for, it’s important to care properly for your floor to not only keep it looking brand new but to extend it’s lifetime too. Here are some tips you can use to help care for your floor if you’re a pet owner:

1. Clip your pet’s nails regularly so they don’t cause scratches on the floor.
2. Wipe up urine or any other accidents as quickly as you can with proper cleaning products.
3. Food and water bowls could cause damage to the floor over time as they’re moved around and water and or food is spilt. Place a mat down to catch any spillage and protect the floor. We recommend using a silicon mat to avoid movement.
4. Use doormats at entrances so they can catch the majority of dirt initially brought inside.
5. Have a designated “play area” for your pets and make sure there is a large dog bed or mat out for them to play on.
6. Consider professional cleaning services at least once a year including a professional carpet cleaner, floor conditioning or a deep polish.

Let us help

With expert knowledge at your fingertips, our flooring specialists would love to show you around your options to help you not only pick the best flooring to complement your home but to ensure that all the residents, including the furry ones, within your home are happy.

Give us a call on 0117 963 7979 or fill out our contact form and we’ll be in touch.

Categorised in: For Home, Hints and Tips

This post was written by Binks