What kind of flooring should I use if I have pets?
By Brian Berson,
Pets are members of our families and fill our lives with incredible happiness. However, pets can be hard on the floor. Their nails can leave scratches. Accidents can cause staining and result in odors that will not dissipate. Shedding means you need to clean your floors regularly and thoroughly. You need to invest in the most appropriate flooring for pets unless you plan on evicting your best friend into the backyard.
There are plenty of us animal lovers out there. Luckily, there are also plenty of pet-friendly flooring options on the market for your next home improvement project, like Shaw LifeGuard. Let us look at that, and other floorings can stand up to the wear and tear inflicted on them by your pets. Every floor type has pros and cons, but with a little perseverance, you will find the perfect flooring for your home.
The Best Carpet for Pets
Years ago, you would have been told, "Avoid carpeted flooring with pets." Nowadays, we have carpet specially designed for pet owners called LifeGuard by Shaw. Shaw Floors makes LifeGuard Spill-proof Backing that stops liquids from soaking through the carpet pad to the subfloor. Shaw LifeGuard carpet also has R2X stain and soil resistance, which contains the mess for quick cleaning.
Pets love the comfortably soft surface just as much as we do. Your pet will love the fact that the soft surface will encourage you to get down on the floor and play more often. Best of all, your dog's claws can gain maximum traction when racing you to answer the doorbell. So, if you choose a carpeted floor, opt for one without loops or a looped carpet that has an anti-zipper feature because it can snag on your pet's nails. We also suggest you have an appropriate vacuum cleaner that can handle shedding.
The Best Hardwood Flooring for Pets
If you do not mind spending a little more on quality engineered hardwood, it is possible for hardwood floors and your pets to coexist. Engineered hardwood flooring can be an excellent flooring choice because you get the beauty of hardwood with the crucial durability your flooring needs in a house with pets. Engineered wood can be as warm and comfortable as solid hardwood. Engineered hardwood is desirable when considering home resale value. It is also more water-resistant than traditional hardwood floors.
Another suggestion is to choose a floor that already has a "rustic" or distressed look. These styles already look worn, and any scratch marks will naturally blend in. Also, remember to clean up any accidents or spills immediately to protect your floors.
Shaw Floors' Epic+ hardwood flooring is designed to withstand significant foot traffic, is scuff-resistant, and stands up to anything your pets throw at it. Epic+ engineered wood is versatile and affordable. It is the best way to get exotic hardwood such as mahogany in your home at a reasonable cost.
The Best Vinyl Flooring for Pets
Vinyl flooring is resistant to water and stains, making it the ideal choice for homes with pets. Luxury vinyl flooring can mimic natural stone, tile, or hardwood, but it is much easier on your pets and your budget. Luxury vinyl comes as either luxury vinyl planks (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
If you use a good quality luxury vinyl with a thick wear layer and make sure it is installed correctly, it can withstand many of the challenges that come with pets. Shaw Floors Floorte and Floorte Pro lines are both built for high performance. Their 100% waterproof flooring can effortlessly handle moisture from pet accidents and spilled water bowls without warping or buckling. It is easy to maintain and easy to clean. Plus, it is soft underfoot, so all family members, fuzzy and non-fuzzy, will be comfortable while walking and resting.
Your dog loves the cold surface during the summer and the warm surface during the winter because vinyl can accept radiant heating coils underneath. Most importantly, your dog's pads and claws will not slide across the floor because there is enough grip. Fido will feel comfortable and safe when scurrying across it.
The Best Tile Flooring for Pets
Tile flooring can hold up to whatever your pet dishes out. Water-resistant, stain-resistant, highly scratch-resistant, and easy to clean, it is one of the best options for pet-friendly flooring. Tile is the easiest to clean after the infamous wet dog shake, the cat sheds, or an accident ending in a messy surprise.
Tile might not be the most comfortable for your pets. You might consider installing a radiant underfloor heating system to add warmth for both you and your pet. Otherwise, it would help if you had soft area rugs or a dog bed for your pets to lie down.
Ceramic or stone tile flooring might be best if you want the easiest, most durable pet-friendly flooring. Just remember it is hard and cold, so provide a soft rug or pillow for your pet to cuddle up. Since tile can be slippery, an option would be to lay tile with thicker grout lines. This will help with traction.
The Best Laminate Flooring for Pets
Laminate flooring is easy to clean and stands up against pet messes. Laminate may excel in scratch resistance, but it can be weak in moisture resistance. However, some new water-resistant options are slowly becoming available.
Laminate floors can offer the beauty of hardwood with less maintenance. Additionally, the durable surface of laminate resists scratches and scuffs. Laminate's transparent wear layer does ward off scratches, but it can be very slick on the downside. Out of all flooring options, this would be the last on our list of flooring to use with pets.
Final Thoughts on the Best Flooring for Pets
Animals track dirt and debris inside the house. They also leave pet hair and dander. Even if you have a cat who never ventures outside, it may leave a trail of litter that can harm your floors. No matter what floor type you choose, keeping it clean is essential. And clean your floors up immediately to prevent damage to them.
There is no such thing as pet-proof flooring, but there are options that hold up better in pet-friendly households. You can even have carpet with pets utilizing Shaw LifeGuard backing. The flooring type that is right for you depends on your style and taste. Visit us at Creative Carpet & Flooring, and we will help you select just the right flooring so you can enjoy a pet–friendly home that allows your style to shine through.