Are you a proud pet owner searching for the ideal pet friendly flooring that can withstand the wear and tear of your four-legged companion?
We understand the challenges of having pets in the home, from toilet mishaps, muddy stains, and scuffs caused by claws. So it is essential to create a comfortable space for your pet and ensure it is durable and easy to maintain. But what is the most durable flooring for pets?
In this blog, we will go over the benefits and drawbacks of some of the most popular flooring options available, helping you to make an informed decision on pet proof flooring that meets the needs of you and your furry friends.
Understanding Your Pet's Needs
Before delving into different pet proof flooring options, you must consider your pet’s individual needs, taking their habits and behaviours into account when choosing pet flooring.
Pets such as dogs and cats have their own requirement when it comes to the durability and functionality of flooring. Some things to consider are:
Scratches: Pet’s claws can catch on certain flooring and wear down the materials. So it’s crucial to choose flooring that won’t show signs of damage & ensure regular nail trimming.
Stains: Accidents happen, and stains can be hard to clean. Choosing waterproof, pet proof flooring that can absorb spills is ideal.
Stains: Accidents happen, and stains can be hard to clean. Choosing waterproof, pet proof flooring that can absorb spills is ideal.
Traction: It is also important to choose a flooring option that has traction so your pet can grip the flooring without slipping.
So.. what is the best flooring for pets?
Pet Friendly Hardwood laminate flooring
Hardwood laminate flooring can be a good choice for pet owners. It is a cost-effective flooring option that gives you a hardwood look without breaking the bank. Plus, it is super durable and resistant to scratches, meaning you don’t have to worry about your furry friend catching their nails.
Furthermore, hardwood laminate flooring is easy to clean. A simple vacuum to deal with pet hair or a quick mop, and you are good to go! And if your pet has an accident, this type of flooring is stain-resistant, meaning you won’t have to deal with marks or discolouration.
Like anything, there are a few drawbacks to choosing laminate flooring if you have pets. Hardwood laminate has a smooth surface meaning that pets may not be able to gain traction as it can be slippery, especially if they have long nails or the floor gets wet.
Also, although laminate flooring can handle moisture, it’s not completely waterproof, and some water could seep through and cause damage to underlying floor layers. Lastly, laminate flooring is hollow, making it noisy when pets walk or run. Of course, there are easy ways you can pet proof your wooden flooring
Pet Friendly Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Another pet flooring option is luxury vinyl tiles (or LVT for short ). First, it’s super durable, so you don’t have to stress about scratches or wear and tear from your pet’s wild adventures. Also, some LVT options can be waterproof or water-resistant, meaning easy cleanup after accidents and spills.
Also, luxury vinyl tiles are comfy for pets as it is soft, making them a perfect choice for older pets with joint issues. Another advantage to LVT is that it’s great at absorbing sound so that you won’t be bothered by the constant tapping of your pet’s paws on the floor.
The above advantages are why the D-O-G grooming studio – Wandsworth, came to us and wanted LVT flooring installed.
However, LVT does have its disadvantages as flooring for pets. Firstly, some LVT options can have a smooth surface, making it slippery for your furry pals. So, ensuring your luxury vinyl tiles have good traction is important.
Although LVT is durable, it can have more expensive upfront costs than other pet flooring options, and the quality from different manufacturers may be different.
Pet Proof Carpet
Thirdly, another pet friendly flooring option to consider is carpet. Carpet provides a soft, cosy surface for your pets to walk on and relax. It also has better traction than hard floors, so your pets can grip the surface, and there is less likelihood of your pets slipping.
Another reason to choose carpet for your flooring is that it helps to absorb sound and noise transmission between floors.
A disadvantage of having carpet flooring with pets is that carpet fibres tend to trap pet hair, meaning that regular vacuuming and cleaning are necessary to maintain cleanliness. Pet accidents can also penetrate these carper fibres making them hard to clean, leading to stains and lingering odours.
Professional cleaning using a steam cleaner or carpet cleaner for pets may be required to remove these stains. Another drawback of carpet is that it can accumulate allergens such as pollen and dust, affecting pet owners’ allergies and respiratory issues. Lastly, pets’ claws can damage or snag carpet fibres, which will affect the appearance of the carpet over time.
Now, its time to choose the best pet friendly flooring for you and your furry friend!
From hardwood laminate to luxury vinyl tiles and carpets, each flooring option for pets we have discussed has its own set of benefits and considerations.
Ultimately, the ideal pet-friendly flooring will balance durability and functionality and align with your pet’s needs. You should find the flooring that enhances both your pet’s quality of life without sacrificing the style and aesthetics of your home.
We hope this blog has given you valuable insights on choosing the best pet-friendly flooring for your home. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and when getting flooring fitted, you should enlist the help of professional flooring installers for a seamless installation which will last years.
If you would like more information on flooring installation, please don’t hesitate to contact us at London Commercial Flooring