All pet owners will tell you that welcoming a pet into your life is by far one of the best decisions that you can make. For all that love and attention however, they are hard work and take a lot of looking after. The floor is the place in your home where they will spend the majority of their day, so it’s incredibly important to ensure you get it right.
Our guide will take you through some of the best flooring options available. We’ll also provide some useful tips in dealing with issues that go hand in hand with owning a pet, but at the same time demonstrating they are worth the sacrifice!
Hardwood
The first type of flooring we’re looking at is hardwood; one of the most popular types on the market. Hardwood comes engineered with a layered makeup, or solid, which as the name suggests, is simply a solid plank of wood. Both types are one of the most durable available, and have very impressive scratch resistance.
Pets nails can cause scratching to your flooring so we’d recommend a brushed and oiled finish as the protection runs deep to the core, and if any damage does occur it can be refinished very easily. It’s also very easy to clear up loose hairs that may be left behind, or after any accidents that will doubtlessly occur! A damp mop is our recommendation, as a vacuum will simply blow the hair around the room. Accidents should be cleaned up quickly as they can cause staining.
Vinyl Tiles
Next we’re examining luxury vinyl tiles, possibly the best available alternative to hardwood. They hold the same qualities as wood flooring, but are a cheaper option, and equally as durable. Vinyl is incredibly water resistance so cleaning up is quick and simple, without worry of permanent damage to the tiles. It is also similarly scratch resistant, but for all flooring types it’s sensible to keep your pets’ nails clipped simply to prevent day to day damage.
Laminate
The final option, and possibly the cheapest and most effective option is laminate flooring. Not to be knocked because it’s cheaper; the price doesn’t take away from the quality. Equally durable as vinyl and hardwood, and in addition it maintains a similarly classy and attractive aesthetic. There’s a variety of different designs to choose from, meaning there’s something for everyone. The downside is that it can’t be refinished, so if damage occurs, it may need to be relayed (although individual planks can sometimes be replaced). The cleaning process is the same as with the other options – a damp mop will do the trick.
Owning a pet is quite simply one of the best decisions you can make in life, so don’t be put off by the thought of a few rectifiable accidents! We hope our guide has helped you to find the best flooring for your new best friend,; in the end it really comes down to personal choice.
Guest blog kindly provided by Ben Duke from Flooring Republic, Leeds.