There has never been a surge in pet ownership like today! They are members of our family, and we treat them just like our children. Just like children, we need to pick our flooring accordingly so that damage to the 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? This question will start the wheels turning and quickly help steer you in the right direction. To help, we have listed three top flooring options that are incredibly honest and right on point. Let’s take a look!
Vinyl Flooring/Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
LVT is in the number one spot for being the best flooring option for pet owners. If you have not researched the new LVT products, now is the time to do so, and we know you will be very impressed.
Positives
LVT is stain- and scratch-resistant, very easy to clean, and due to the cork backing (make sure you check what backing is used), the floors are very quiet. With the current luxury vinyl technology, the appearance of wood, tile, and natural stone styles are unbelievable. Also, if chosen, many tile and stone installations can be laid with real grout just like tile. Plus, we left the best part for last; many LVT’s are 100% waterproof and have a lifetime residential warranty!
Negatives
The outer layer will dull over time, and regarding the manufacturing and the use of plastic, LVT is less environmentally-friendly.
Ceramic & Porcelain Tile
Tile floors never go out of style if you choose a low-key design and a neutral color. Also, think about the grout color you want when installing. We recommend using a grout that is a similar color to the tile.
Positives
Tile floors are long-lasting, durable, scratch-resistant, and so very easy to clean. All you have to do is just vacuum, sweep, and mop!
Negatives
The first negative that comes to mind is tile floors are cold and can be slippery if you are a little “lax” on trimming your dog’s nails.
Laminate
Laminate floors have been popular for many years, especially since it mimics the look of wood, and the price is so much lower than hardwood floors. Laminate floors are a good choice for pet owners but can be very slippery for furry paws. Also, their nails tapping on the laminate can become very bothersome, so make sure you choose a nice underlayment to help eliminate this problem. Also, if the laminate has a smooth finish, your dog’s nails will scratch the surface, especially if your dog is active. The best finish choice for laminate floors is the hand-scraped/textured finish.
Positives
Laminate floors are durable, stain-resistant, very easy to clean, and a textured finish floor is less noticeable for scratches – we recommend a scratch-resistant floor.
Negatives
Laminate floors are not as durable as hardwood floors and can be slippery for dogs.
We hope these tips have answered many of your questions and solidify which flooring option is best for you and your pet family! For additional help, one of our expert sales representatives would love to assist you. Call or visit us for more information.
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