A pet can provide companionship and happiness within a household. However, they can also take a toll on the flooring within the household. For this reason, it is vital to ensure that you implement the ideal flooring type for your house when you have pets. Understanding how pets impact flooring, as well as the most durable types of flooring, can go a long way toward improving the atmosphere, comfort, and condition inside of your home. At Wilson’s Paint and Floor Coverings, we work with many different kinds of flooring. If you are unsure about the best flooring type to meet your needs, our experts can guide you in making the superior decision.
How Pets Impact Flooring
Though pets can certainly bring joy to your life, they can also bring damage to your flooring. Regular shedding or bringing in dirt and debris from outside can allow allergens and pollutants to build up on the flooring. Pet’s nails can scratch the surface of the flooring. Additionally, many flooring types aren’t rather moisture-resistant, which can lead to damage if your pet has an accident or is sick on the floor. By implementing a flooring type that is odor and stain-resistant, you can optimize the level of comfort within the building.
It is important to choose durable materials when implementing new flooring to a building with pets. Surfaces that aren’t durable can become damaged easily by scratches, moisture exposure, and an array of other causes. The best flooring will be resistant to damage, though there are alternative steps that can be taken to minimize the amount of damage that pets cause to a building.
How to Minimize this Damage
The proper methods can help to minimize the damage that can occur to a floor. You should take care to clip your pet’s nails regularly to prevent them from growing too long. Any accidents should be cleaned up as quickly as possible to stop potential damage from escalating. Placing mats at doorways can prevent dirt and external debris from being tracked into the building. Mats should also be placed beneath pet food and water bowls to minimize the damage from accidental spillage. Cleaning your pet’s feet before they enter the home can also minimize any damage from occurring to the flooring. You should also keep your pet well-groomed to minimize shedding or other issues from occurring. Make housetraining a priority to limit the number of accidents that occur within the home.
The Best Flooring for Pets
A durable floor type is vital to minimize any damage pets may cause to the flooring. There are many different options for flooring that are durable. Stone tile is a floor type that is easy to clean and is resistant to scratches or surface damage. However, stone tile can be uncomfortable, particularly in the winter. This can be offset through the use of rugs or heated flooring. Laminate flooring is another option for flooring. This kind of flooring is moisture-resistant, as well as scratch and scuff-resistant. However, it can be rather slippery, which can cause injury to pets.
Bamboo flooring is a particularly effective solution for flooring in a home with pets. This option is one of the most eco-friendly types, as bamboo is a rather renewable source. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, which is a valuable attribute for a home with pets. It can prevent mold and mildew from forming on the floor. Bamboo flooring is also stain-resistant, which can provide many benefits for the owner of a home with pets.
Poor Choices for Flooring with Pets
You should avoid the use of carpeting in a home with pets. Despite the love pets have for the comfort of carpeted flooring, it can easily be damaged by the daily activities of pets. Carpet is particularly absorbent, which can make it difficult to thoroughly clean up after accidents. The fibers of a carpet are also particularly prone to holding stains and odors within the floor. This can be minimized through the services of professional carpet cleaners, but carpets are likely to sustain damage when they are consistently trodden on by pets.
Hardwood flooring can provide some benefits for a home with pets. Harder woods, like bamboo and maple, can create a rather scratch-resistant surface. However, hardwood is susceptible to damage from moisture. Moisture from accidents or water dish spills can cause the wood to warp or even rot. Vinyl is likely a better alternative if you desire the appearance of hardwood, because it is more resistant to sustaining damage. Vinyl flooring provides many of the same advantages of hardwood flooring, without the drawbacks.
Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the best options for a home with pets. Vinyl flooring is relatively affordable, especially due to its simple installation. Luxury vinyl flooring requires much less maintenance than alternative flooring types, even with the presence of animals. It is scratch-resistant and waterproof, which further minimizes the likelihood of the flooring sustaining damage. Luxury vinyl flooring maintains a higher level of traction than other floor types, which can create a far safer environment for pets within the building. This type of flooring can realistically mimic the appearance of hardwood, with far less required maintenance. It is particularly valuable to obtain waterproof flooring, such as luxury vinyl, in a building that contains pets.
The type of flooring you install to your home can dramatically impact the level of comfort within the building. Here at Wilson’s Paint and Floor Coverings, we are experienced with a large array of flooring types. These services can ensure that your flooring is installed correctly and remains in the best possible condition. There are many considerations that must be taken into account when choosing the right flooring for pets. From durability to the ease of cleaning, the right floor type will create the superior environment. This can go a long way toward improving the comfort, as well as minimizing required maintenance. To learn more about the best type of flooring for a building with pets, contact our experts at Wilson’s Paint and Floor Coverings today!
