If you’re a pet owner thinking about updating your home flooring, there are many things to consider before making your selection. Some types of flooring are a better fit for individuals and families with pets due to wearability, durability, waterproof properties and more.
5 Flooring Considerations for Homes With Pets
1. Durability
Pets can be rough on floors, so you’ll want a flooring material that can stand up to scratches from their claws.
2. Waterproof / Stain Resistant
Let’s face it: accidents happen. And if you have a new puppy or kitten that’s not fully potty trained or an older pet with incontinence issues, those in-home accidents are likely a frequent occurrence. In addition, repeated pet accidents can cause permanent staining or damage to your new floors.
3. Maintenance
Pets can create a mess when they track in dirt or moisture from the outdoors, and some also shed their coats. Pet owners need floors that are easy to keep clean with a vacuum or mop.
4. Comfort / Traction
Your pets spend a lot of time resting on the floor, so you’ll want to pick a comfortable material for lounging and sleeping.
5. Material / Installation cost
It’s essential to choose a flooring material that is the right match for your lifestyle needs and a good investment for your home. Do you want to replace your flooring frequently or invest in a long-term solution that suits your pet-loving family?
Flooring Types for Homes With Pets
For the general living spaces in your home that you share with your pets, here are recommendations for high-performance flooring products that check the boxes for aesthetics, function. and style.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl tile or planking is an excellent option for homes with cats and dogs. Luxury vinyl flooring products are cost-effective, highly durable and waterproof, and many are also scratch-resistant. What’s more, these floors are attractive and practical: Many luxury vinyl options realistically mimic wood, natural stone and tile with rich textures that can hide scuffs, pet hair and more.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
For our customers that enjoy the look and feel of hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood is a great alternative for homes with pets. Traditional hardwood can be sensitive to moisture from pet accidents, resulting in expensive repairs and maintenance. Engineered hardwood is more durable for dirty and wet environments. That being said, it’s still essential to clean up spills or pet accidents quickly to minimize damage to your floor.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring can provide the look and feel of hardwood but with more durability and water resistance. This flooring product option has gained popularity due to its eco-friendly properties. Sustainable bamboo is a fast-growing grass that reaches maturity in a quarter of the time of hardwood trees, making it more cost-effective than hardwood.
Tile Flooring
Tile flooring can be an excellent option for homes with pets. There is a wide array of options to suit almost any design style, from natural stone to ceramic and porcelain. And while there are specific maintenance considerations for different tile materials, tile is generally quite durable and water-resistant.
But keep in mind that tile flooring can be cold and uncomfortable for your furry friends. So, be sure to layer a warm rug over the tile to make it more comfortable for your pets or provide cozy pet beds. If you think tile may work well in your home, check out our previous blog How To Select the Right Tile for Your Home.
Flooring for Pet-Specific Areas
Special flooring considerations should be considered for the more intimate areas of your pet’s living space: where you keep pet crates/cages, litter boxes and sleeping areas all have special needs that you should think about as your shop for home flooring. Here are a few ideas for specialty flooring options for these pet-specific areas of your home.
- Artificial Turf – Artificial turf is a great product in areas where accidents are likely to happen. Because turf drains well, it can be placed on plastic containers to create a comfortable place for paws to walk while making the area easy to clean.
- Rubber Flooring – Rubber flooring is a classic pet-friendly material. Dog parks and boarding facilities use it for a reason: Rubber flooring is extremely durable and 100% waterproof. It’s also easily cleaned with just a quick mop and is durable for even the largest dogs (even for horses!).
- Cork Flooring – If your dog or cat is declawed, cork can be an excellent option for under-bed flooring. Cork provides great traction for your pets and it also looks great. However, keep in mind that cork does tend to get scratched up from claws, so consider that as you shop for flooring options.
Flooring to Avoid
Some types of home flooring materials are tough to maintain with pets and are best avoided, if possible.
Carpet Flooring
Carpet can be a real struggle with pets. It can get easily torn or shredded if your pet has claws or likes to scratch. And potty accidents can be very difficult to completely clean, even with professional carpet cleaning equipment. However, many homeowners do like the warmth and look of carpet, so there are options that are more pet-friendly and stain-resistant.
When installing carpet in a pet-friendly home (or a home with kids), Dover Floor and Tile Center recommends carpet that has a waterproof backing to keep any spills and accidents from damaging the padding underneath. The waterproof backing also helps keep any accidents and spills in the carpet fibers to make clean up easier.
Hardwood Flooring
Some hardwood flooring products are better than others for homes with pets. But in general, hardwood floors can easily get stained or damaged in moist environments. Responding quickly to pet accidents gives you the best chance to extend your hardwood floor’s life.
How To Keep Floors Looking Nice
No matter which flooring material you select for your home, regular maintenance will keep your floors looking great for years. Here are tried and true tips from the pros at Dover Floor & Tile Center:
- Respond quickly when accidents happen. Most flooring materials are engineered to survive brief accidents or spills as long as they are swiftly cleaned and dried thoroughly.
- Take care of your pets. Keep claws trimmed, and fur cared for to minimize added wear and tear on your home’s floors. Clean, well-groomed pets are happier—and they help keep your home tidy, too.
- Add clean-up stations to areas where dirt and water get tracked. Wash paws and lay mats to capture and contain soil and water from outdoors.
- Vacuum/mop floors regularly. Regular maintenance, even without pets, will extend the lifespan of your flooring.
If you are looking to replace or update floors in your pet-friendly home, consult with our designers about the right flooring for you and your pets. The Dover Floor & Tile Center’s team of flooring experts and designers can meet with you to review your specific flooring needs, and we’ll help you find the perfect material for your home. And bring a picture of your furry friend with you — we’d love to see them!
Stop in or call the experts at Dover Floor & Tile Center at 440-423-8453. We’re standing by, ready to help.
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