For more than half of American homes, pets are part of the family. Most commonly, dogs and cats are the animals we find sharing homes with humans across the country. While your pets may be housebroken, damage from the occasional accident and increased paw traffic could wreak havoc on some types of flooring. As the pet population has grown, so have pet-friendly flooring options. No matter what interior decorating style suits your eyes, there are durable flooring options available.
laminate
Laminate flooring has come a long way in replicating popular flooring styles like hardwood, stone, and ceramic tile. The styling options are numerous and the quality of the appearance can be surprisingly realistic. When pets are part of your flooring decision, don’t forget to look at laminate flooring. The laminate finish is extremely durable and highly resistant to water. Stain, scratch and warp resistance is hard to beat.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring has been around longer than laminate products and has seen some dramatic improvements over the past decade or more. Many of us grew up with vinyl kitchen and bathroom floors because they are essentially impervious to moisture. However, the outdated patterns and styles we grew up with are a thing of the past. The styles and colors available in vinyl flooring products today are many and modern. In addition to updated styles, the construction of vinyl flooring products has also made great strides. The strength and durability of sheet vinyl products have improved and new forms of vinyl flooring have emerged, such as vinyl plank and vinyl tile that mimic wood, stone and ceramic flooring. Vinyl flooring provides the best protection against pet accidents in the home, and scratch and puncture resistance is also remarkable.
Ceramic and natural stone coating
Stone and ceramic are great flooring options, although they tend to be a bit more expensive than laminate and vinyl flooring because the installation process is much more involved. Glazed tiles are resistant to moisture, making them a good choice for a home that may experience wet or muddy feet and the possibility of the occasional accident. More porous tiles may be recommended for a home with pets, although thorough and routine sealing of surfaces should be done to prevent absorption and discoloration. If grout is used between the tiles, it should also be sealed to prevent staining.
Many homeowners with pets choose hardwood floors, and this may be a viable option. When choosing a hardwood floor, it’s important to keep pets’ nails trimmed to prevent scratches and punctures, and accidents should be cleaned up immediately to prevent staining and warping of real hardwood flooring. The experts at your local flooring store can assess the traffic situation for your 2- and 4-legged vehicles in your home and make informed flooring recommendations for your family.
