Tips for Making Your Hardwood Floors Shine
Hardwood floors are a thing of beauty. They add instant elegance to any space, and they look warm and luxurious… until they’re scratched and dull. Pets, dust, and dragging furniture can all detract from the appearance of your hardwood floors. But they don’t have to, and there are many things you can do to restore their appearance. These tips can help you care for your hardwood flooring so it looks its best and lasts longer.
Get Rid of Dust and Dirt
Regularly ridding your floor of dirt and debris will keep you from scratching it unintentionally. Use a dust mop or the floor-brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner so you don’t unintentionally scratch it with hard bristles. You can also set your vacuum to “bare floor” if you lose the brush so you don’t scratch the finish. Even if it’s just you in the house, do this at least once a week, and your floors will thank you for it!
Clean Up Spills Immediately
Spills are an unfortunate fact of life. When they happen, clean them up quickly so they don’t stain your hardwood or seep into your floorboards.
Mop Up Your Hardwood Floors
About once a month, use a microfiber mop to do a deeper clean – but don’t use too much water. An excess of water can cause the floorboards to expand and warp, so they no longer line up correctly. There are certain kinds of cleaners you’ll want to avoid, depending on the exact characteristic of your flooring. You can always pick a cleaner specifically designed for hardwood floors.
Protect Your Hardwood Floors From Scratches
Scratches are going to happen on a hardwood floor, so it’s best to think of them as adding character. However, if they bother you, you can do a quick repair with a stain marker or a wax stick. If you can, prevent them from happening in the first place. Consider:
- Using welcome mats, or entry mats, on the floor by the door to collect dirt and grit.
- Removing shoes and wearing socks or comfy slippers while you’re at home.
- Putting floor protectors on the bottom of your furniture and lifting it or using a dolly to move it (instead of sliding it around).
- Trimming pets’ nails so they don’t scratch the floors.
- Having rugs on the floor to break up the space and protect it.
- Using window treatments to prevent the floor from fading.
Refinish Your Hardwood Floors Every Few Years
Experts recommend refinishing your floors every 3-5 years. You don’t need to sand the floors; re-apply another coat of finish. Do a thorough cleaning, like you usually would, and then buff them so the new coat will adhere to the surface. Then, apply your finish. You can also call a professional to have them refinish your floors for you.
Get In Touch
Caring for your hardwood flooring doesn’t have to be overwhelming; just intentional. When you take the time to make it shine, you can enjoy it for years. If you have questions or concerns about your flooring or the best way to care for it, Preferred Flooring in Breese, IL, can help. Submit a question online, contact one of our experts, or visit our showroom. We proudly serve Bond County, Clinton County, Madison County, St. Clair County, Belleville, Breese, Collinsville, Edwardsburg, Fairview Heights, Freeburg, Glen Carbon, Highland, Nashville, New Baden, O’Fallon, Shiloh, Swansea, St. Rose, Trenton, and Troy, IL.
- Published in Blog
6 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Carpet
Carpet can make your home beautiful and inviting – until it’s time to replace it. Even a carpet that receives the best care eventually reaches a point where it can’t be salvaged. When that happens, replace it with new flooring from Preferred Flooring. We proudly serve the Breese, IL, area and carry a wide array of vinyl, hardwood, carpet, laminate, and tile flooring. Check out these six signs to see if it’s time to replace your carpet.
#1. Stains
Whether it’s juice, a new puppy, or a glass of wine, spills and stains happen. Usually, you can get them out, but eventually, the stains won’t budge, even with a professional cleaning. If you’ve found yourself re-arranging furniture or buying rugs to hide your stains, it’s time to replace the carpet.
#2. Worn Carpet Fibers
If your carpet is no longer springy and looks matted, faded, and dirty, your carpet fibers are worn. This occurs faster in high-traffic areas. Not sure if your carpet fibers are worn? Move a couch or another piece of furniture that’s been in the same place for a few years and compare the two areas.
#3. Foul Smell
It may seem obvious, but if your carpet smells bad, it’s time to replace it. Typically, the smell is from something that spilled or repeated pet accidents that have permeated through the carpet, the padding, and possibly the subfloor. A professional cleaning may help, but you’ll need to replace the carpet if it doesn’t come out.
#4. Increased Allergies
Have you noticed an uptick in sneezing and coughing around your house? Carpet can hold onto dust, mildew, mold, and pet dander, which can cause allergic reactions. A hypoallergenic carpet made of wool or with a low pile could help with allergies, as could a different flooring option. Cleaning out the vents before you replace the carpet might also be worthwhile.
#5. Water Damage
Water ruins the glue that holds a carpet together. If it just spilled over from the sink and was wet for a short time, dry it thoroughly. But if it soaked for 72 hours, or if water from sewage pipes backed up onto it, your carpet must be replaced before it becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew, making your whole family sick.
#6. Your Carpet is Old
If your carpet is matted from high traffic, faded from the sun, discolored, or the padding is gone, your carpet is old. Carpet only has about 10-15 years before it needs to be replaced, and carpets in high-traffic areas could need to be replaced sooner.
Do these signs remind you of your carpet? If so, you can replace your carpet with another carpet, like Shaw Floors Pet Perfect Carpet, or ditch it for something else. If you want a change, consider hardwood flooring from Mannington or vinyl plank flooring by Paramount Flooring. Or choose a combination, with a soft carpet for bedrooms and laminate for your living room, kitchen, and hallways.
Preferred Flooring can help you find the best flooring solutions for your home and budget. When you’re ready to replace your flooring, our experts can help you find and install it. Visit our showroom in Breese, IL, or contact our flooring experts. We proudly serve St. Clair County, Clinton County, Madison County, Bond County, Breese, Troy, Highland, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Freeburg, Nashville, St. Rose, Trenton, New Baden, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, Swansea, Belleville, and Collinsville, IL.
- Published in Blog
How to Clean Your Tile Flooring
Tile floors are a beautiful addition to any home. They keep your house looking clean and stylish, but that changes when your tile gets dirty. Keeping it clean is essential not only for your home’s appearance but for your health too. Tile isn’t like carpeting or hardwood floors; it needs special care and cleaning techniques to keep its appearance fresh and new-looking. Luckily, there are a few simple steps to ensure that your tile floor looks great for years to come!
Cleaning Your Tile
After you’ve done your research, it’s time to get started. But before you do, make sure that you have the right cleaning equipment. You’ll want a vacuum with a brush attachment and preferably one that can be used on hardwood floors as well. This will help remove any dirt or debris from between the tiles and prevent them from being scratched by the bristles of your broom or mop.
After vacuuming, use a damp mop to clean the floor (be sure not to over-wet it). If there is any excess moisture left behind after mopping–which shouldn’t happen if done properly–use a towel or cloth in order to wipe up this moisture so that no water remains on top of tile surfaces after drying time has elapsed, otherwise, it’ll be easier for dirt and debris to collect, making your floors even dirtier than before you started.
Next, tackle the grout
You’re almost done! The last thing to do is tackle the grout. Grout is what holds together tiles, so it can be a bit harder to clean than the tile themselves. Plus, dirt and other things tend to collect in it, so there is a chance you might have noticed some mildew or mold growing between them. It’s important to remove any mold, mildew, or dirt from your grout to keep it sound and looking good. To remove mildew or mold from grout:
- Mix a solution of vinegar and water in a bucket (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water)
- Dip a scrub brush or toothbrush into your bucket of solution and scrub away at any mildew or mold visible on your tile flooring surface.
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the dissolved dirt and loosened mold, and mildew
- Rinse the brush in the vinegar solution, and repeat scrubbing until all the tile is clean!
Conclusion
Your tile floor is an investment that you’ll want to take care of. If you follow these tips and tricks, your tile floor will look great for years to come! If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us here at Preferred Flooring! Come visit us at our showroom at 636 North 4th Street, Breese, IL 62249. You can also call us anytime at (618) 526-9393 or reach out to us online. We proudly serve St. Clair County, Clinton County, Madison County, Bond County, Breese, Troy, Highland, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Freeburg, Nashville, St. Rose, and the surrounding areas.
- Published in Blog
Three Tips for Taking Care of Tile Flooring
If you’re looking for a durable and stylish flooring option, tile is an excellent choice. It’s easy to clean, keeps your home clean and tidy, and is even better at resisting stains than most other types of flooring. But as any homeowner will attest, cleaning tile floors can be challenging! Here are three tips to help keep your tiled surfaces looking their best so that they stand up to the demands of everyday life while still making you proud when guests come over:
1. Clean Tile Regularly
Tiles are beautiful additions to any space–but they can be pretty high maintenance if they need to be cared for properly! With regular use and wear-and-tear (and let’s face it: kids), dirt, dust, and grime can build up on tile floors over time. You can do a few simple things to keep yours looking nice for as long as possible.
First, use soft brushes instead of harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners when cleaning them–they’ll do less damage on their own accord than other methods would do under duress from your footfalls over many years’ worth of use. Steam cleaners are another excellent option for cleaning tile. High-pressure and temperature steam can get the toughest grime off your tile and can even clean your grout at the same time!
No matter how you decide to clean your tile, the most important thing is to do it often. The more often you clean your tile, the less time dirt has to get worked into tough spots, leaving lasting marks or stains. Keeping your tile clean will keep it looking good and let it last longer.
2. Don’t Forget the Grout
We mentioned it a little bit earlier, but one thing you don’t want to do is forget about your grout. While it may seem like an afterthought, this thin band of color between your tiles can be just as important as the tile itself. Grout is the glue that keeps your tiles together and prevents any moisture or debris from working underneath your tile. Dirty grout isnt just ugly, it’s damaging to your tile!
Grout is porous and absorbs dirt, making it difficult to clean and stain-prone. If you have trouble getting stains out of your grout, try using an acid-based cleaner or bleach–but only if you’re sure that they won’t damage the surface of your tile! The steam cleaner is also an excellent choice for getting your grout spotless.
3. Be Mindful of Moisture
You can always remember moisture. Moisture is the enemy of tile flooring and should be avoided at all costs. It can cause grout to crumble, tile to crack or pop off the floor, and mold or mildew to grow in your home if it needs to be dealt with quickly enough.
If you have a leaky faucet or are just generally careless when it comes to cleaning up spills (and who isn’t?), then consider investing in some anti-slip mats for underfoot; they’ll help prevent slips and falls while also protecting your hard-earned investment from damage caused by water damage over time.
Conclusion
It’s important to keep your tile flooring clean, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. You can use these tips to make sure your tile looks its best and lasts longer! Preferred Flooring is proud to offer high-quality flooring and installation. You can get in touch with us by contacting us online or calling us at (618) 526-9393. We are located at 636 North 4th Street, Breese, IL, and proudly serve St. Clair County, Clinton County, Madison County, Bond County, Breese, Troy, Highland, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Freeburg, Nashville, St. Rose, Trenton, New Baden, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, Swansea, Belleville, and Collinsville, IL.
- Published in Blog
Tips for Taking Care of Your Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a durable and attractive alternative to higher-maintenance flooring options. It’s available in many colors and styles, so you can easily find laminate matching your home and tastes. Plus, it’s easy to install, making it a great choice to upgrade your home’s décor without spending too much time or money on maintenance. However, like all flooring materials, laminate requires regular care if you want it to look great for years without buckling or fading. Here are some tips on how to take care of your laminate floors so they’ll last longer.
Routinely vacuum your laminate flooring
The first step to keeping your laminate flooring looking its best is to vacuum it regularly. This will keep dirt and dust from building up, which can make your floor appear dull and dingy.
To get the best results when vacuuming, use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner–don’t use anything abrasive or hard that could scratch the surface of your laminate flooring. Also, avoid using too much pressure when vacuuming; this can also cause damage to both the surface of your laminate and its edges!
Use a damp mop to clean your laminate flooring
You can clean your laminate flooring with a damp mop. However, you’ll want to use a microfiber mop instead of an ordinary household one, as the former is gentler on your laminate and will leave it looking its best for longer. As for the kind of cleaning solution, a good option that you can make at home is made with one part rubbing alcohol, three parts water, to a squirt of dish soap. This will create a gentle solution that will leave your floors clean without any spots or stains.
Do not use too much water when cleaning your laminate floors
Using the right amount of water when cleaning your laminate floors is essential, as too much can cause buckling and fading.
When mopping your laminate floor, use a damp mop instead of a wet one; if you need to clean up spills, use a sponge or cloth rather than spraying water directly onto it.
To clean grout between planks: Use an old toothbrush with soap and hot water (or just plain hot water) to scrub away any dirt between the planks before you mop over them with your damp cloth or sponge. This will help keep dirt from getting trapped in there again!
Laminate flooring can be beautiful and easy to care for if you follow the right maintenance process
If you’re looking for an easy flooring solution to clean and maintain, then laminate is an excellent choice. Laminate flooring features a high gloss finish that makes it resistant to scratches, stains, and other damage. It’s also durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic while being affordable enough for most homeowners’ budgets.
Conclusion
With a little effort and care, your laminate flooring will stay beautiful for years. It’s as simple as taking the time to pay attention when your floors need cleaning and taking the right steps at the right time to prevent any permanent damage from occurring. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding your flooring, don’t hesitate to contact one of our experts here at preferred flooring. You can also submit questions online or visit our showroom at 636 North 4th Street, Breese, IL. We proudly serve St. Clair County, Clinton County, Madison County, Bond County, Breese, Troy, Highland, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Freeburg, Nashville, St. Rose, Trenton, New Baden, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, Swansea, Belleville, and Collinsville, IL.
- Published in Blog
Common Problems with Floors (and how to prevent them)
We’ve all had it happen; you stand up from your chair a bit too quickly and tip the chair over…resulting in a large, unsightly scratch on your otherwise-perfect floors. Some floors are more durable than others, but because we rely on them every day, all the floors in your home are prone to scratches, dents, and cracks. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place.
Scratches and Dents
Unfortunately, many kinds of flooring are prone to scratches. Even the most durable floors can be subject to unattractive scratches. Moving furniture around without taking the proper precautions is a major cause of scraps and dents. Even something as simple as moving a dining room chair can be the difference between damaged and undamaged floors.
Ending up with scratched floors may feel inevitable, but that’s far from true. Adopting a few simple changes allows you to keep your wood, vinyl, or laminate floors looking perfect for years to come.
- Felt pads: Install felt or rubber pada on the bottom of all of your furniture legs, especially on pieces that get moved often, like dining chairs.
- Use caution when rearranging: When it comes time to move around your furniture, take extra care not to drag your heavier items directly on the floor. If you can’t pick something up, place it on a dolly or a piece of fabric instead of sliding it across the room.
- Install the right floors: Be sure to choose the best flooring choice for your needs. Avoid softer floors, like hardwood, if you have an especially active household.
Cracks in Tile
Seeing cracks in your tile flooring can be one of the most disheartening things to find in your home. Unlike laminate or vinyl, tiles are not as easy to replace. One of the most rigid flooring choices, tiles do not react very generously to shifts in your home’s foundation. Cracks could be indicative of a larger issue, like uneven subflooring or foundation.
Other times, something as simple as dropping a heavy item could be enough to result in a cracked tile. The best way to know the difference is to contact a full-service flooring professional to get the issue inspected. Utilizing the services of a professional is also the best way to prevent any future problems.
Before installing tile, have someone check your foundation and subflooring to ensure that it’s even and unlikely to shift. Additionally, make sure your tile floors are completely sealed and the grout is fully dry before you begin using them. Especially in humid rooms, like the kitchen and bathroom, moisture can get trapped under the tiles and move them around ever so slightly. Enlisting professional help is the best way to keep your tile floors in tip-top shape.
Full-Service Flooring in Breese Illinois
Don’t tackle your next home renovation alone. Contact the flooring experts at Preferred Flooring to help you find the perfect flooring solution for each room. Schedule an appointment today!
- Published in Blog
The Best Flooring for The Whole House in Breese, Illinois
As home improvement technologies become more advanced, deciding if the traditional interior design guidelines still apply can be challenging. Flooring is a fantastic example of this. With so many popular flooring styles looking better than ever, plus being more water- and weather-proof than ever before, are the old recommendations for which style for which room is still relevant? Our flooring experts here at Preferred Flooring have all of the answers to those questions, and more!
The Kitchen
The kitchen is often at the center of the conversation when debating the home’s flooring options. Moisture, mess, and heavy foot traffic are all common ingredients in the kitchen. You need to guarantee that the home’s heart has durable flooring enough to withstand all the action.
Because of this, we love porcelain tile floors for the kitchen. In general, tile is one of the most durable materials. Porcelain tiles are fired at a higher temperature than other tiles, so they are almost entirely waterproof. Different kinds of tile, such as ceramic, natural stone, and glass, are somewhat porous and may absorb small amounts of water which could be better for areas prone to moisture, like the kitchen, so going with a less absorbent tile will make sure your floors look better and last longer.
The Bathroom
Bathrooms have many of the same challenges as kitchens. Water on the floor is not an uncommon occurrence in the washroom. While bathrooms may get less foot traffic than kitchens, they are prone to more leaks and drips throughout the day. Because of this, porcelain tiles are also an outstanding flooring choice for the bathrooms in your home.
Vinyl flooring is also a durable choice. Vinyl resembles the appearance of natural hardwood floors while being much more durable. Made of several layers, these vinyl floorboards can withstand large amounts of moisture; water is unlikely to penetrate deep into your vinyl floorboards. Plus, vinyl is easy to replace on your own. If accidents result in unsightly stains, you can easily swap out the old plank for a brand-new, clean one.
The Living Room and Dining Room
Have you ever seen a listing for a home or apartment that proudly boasts wood floors? This luxurious material is incredibly desirable, adds value to your home or condo, and is our choice for living and dining rooms.
Available in thousands of stains, plank widths, and patterns, you are guaranteed to find a wood floor option that suits your taste. Choose a simple stain and continue it throughout the house for continuity, or select a different finish for the dining room, the living room, and the family room.
The Bedroom
It’s the age-old question: carpet or wood in the bedroom? As both are worthwhile investments, this decision primarily comes down to personal preference. Homeowners that install hardwood in their bedrooms may cite easier maintenance as a reason for the decision, whereas carpet lovers often find the soft material much cozier and more inviting than hardwood. Wood floors and carpeting are both ideal choices for the bedroom!
Full-Service Flooring in Breese Illinois
Don’t tackle your next home renovation alone! Contact the flooring experts at Preferred Flooring to help you find the perfect flooring solution for each room. Schedule an appointment today!
- Published in Blog
4 Things to Know to Take Care of Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is a flexible and beautiful flooring solution that many people have decided to incorporate into their homes. It is a fantastic choice for many reasons, but taking care of vinyl flooring can be different than taking care of other floorings. To best ensure that you can adequately take care of your vinyl flooring and keep it looking fantastic long-term, our experts at Preferred Flooring have developed a few tips to help you take better care of your vinyl floors.
Clean up Water and Spills ASAP
One of the worst things for vinyl floors is letting liquid sit for long periods. Vinyl floors are resilient and can handle moisture, but letting liquid sit long-term can leave a permanent mark. Letting water sit for too long on your Flooring can result in stains or watermarks. The best way to prevent this is to wipe up any spills as soon as possible; that way, you can keep your vinyl floors sparkling clean.
Use the Right Tools
Cleaning vinyl floors requires the right tools; using the wrong kinds of cleaners or tools can scratch or mark up your Flooring. Abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface of your floors, defacing them and leaving your Flooring vulnerable to more marks and further damage. Stick to using cleaners made for vinyl flooring; that way, you won’t have to worry about your Flooring getting scratched or leaving behind any film or residue.
In addition, using the right tools to clean your vinyl flooring is paramount to ensure they are adequately maintained. Do not use any rough or abrasive sponge to clean the Flooring. Vinyl flooring, while strong, has a soft surface that abrasive cleaning instruments can easily mark up. Also, don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar to clean dirt and debris, as this can dent the vinyl. Soft cloths and mops are the best choices for cleaning vinyl flooring. We are proud to serve Breese, IL, and the surrounding areas, including Breese, Troy, Highland, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Freeburg, Nashville, St. Rose, Trenton, New Baden, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, Swansea, Belleville, Collinsville, IL.
Sweep Regularly
One of the best and simplest ways to ensure your Flooring stays clean and looks good is to sweep it regularly. Removing loose dirt and debris regularly will prevent sticky buildup and make deeper cleaning much more manageable. Keeping your vinyl floors swept will ensure they last longer and look better.
Be Careful With Heavy Objects
Heavy objects like furniture or appliances can damage vinyl floors if not appropriately moved. Setting heavy appliances or furniture straight on vinyl can dent it or cause it to deform over time. Using pads on the feet of your furniture will ensure that they do not cause damage to your vinyl. Plus, using low-friction pads will make it much easier to move your furniture around, making it much easier for you to regularly clean underneath and around furniture. When moving anything heavy on vinyl, make sure to either pick it up entirely off the floor or use pads to reduce friction and impact.
Contact Us
Preferred Flooring is your local full-service Flooring professional, and we are proud to be able to help you with your home projects. If you require help or advice with your home project, do not hesitate to visit us at our showroom or contact us online or through call or text with any of your questions or concerns.
- Published in Blog
How to Warm Up Cold Floors near Breese, Illinois
Autumn is officially here! Leaves are starting to change, Halloween is right around the corner, and your slippers save you from braving the cold floor. Lower temperatures don’t have to make your home just as chilly! Warm up your home from the ground up with these tips.
Cold Feet Love Carpet
Carpeting can get a bad reputation, but it’s a lifesaver for those living in climates with varying temperatures, like Breese, Illinois. The temperature in your home is heavily influenced by the weather outside. Different flooring options have different benefits, and carpeting is known for warming even the iciest feet.
It’s not just the fluffy fibers that make carpeting so cozy. Soft fabrics create an insulating barrier. That’s why we all love sweater season! Carpet is typically installed on top of several layers of padding. For especially cold spaces, investing in a high-quality carpet pad is just as important as selecting the carpet itself.
If trading your tile for carpet is not an option, try investing in plush rugs. Rugs may not offer the same level of insulation as wall-to-wall carpeting, but the extra padding will make all the difference. Rugs with longer threads, like shag rugs, will provide the warmest benefits. Lay down a rug pad first to maximize your new rug’s warming potential.
Warm Up Laminate with Padding
As beneficial as installing carpet can be, it isn’t the right choice for every home. Carpet is not ideal for rooms exposed to moisture, like basements, bathrooms, and the kitchen, and pet owners often prefer hard-surface flooring. While laminate, vinyl, and hardwood floors aren’t inherently as warm as carpet, you can still prepare your home for the colder weather.
When you purchase new floors from a full service flooring vendor, you have the opportunity to select your preferred under flooring. The base layers are what will help keep your hard-surface flooring from getting cold in the fall and winter. Laminate, vinyl, and hardwood take on the temperature of whatever surface they lay on. You will find your floors much more comfortable if installed with quality under flooring.
Treat Your Feet to Heated Floors
You deserve ultimate luxury, which is why you deserve heated floors! Temperatures vary significantly in Breese, Illinois. With heated floors, you won’t have to worry about winter-proofing your floors. Just turn on the radiant floor heating and relish in the moment as your whole body warms up.
Radiant floor heating is the best way to ensure your floors are nice and toasty. There are two main kinds of heated floors: wired and hydronic. Wired radiant floor heating is the more common option. This style uses wires and cords to heat the floorboards electronically. Hydronic floor heating utilizes small pipes full of hot water to warm your floors. Either option will evenly heat your floors!
Full Service Flooring in Breese Illinois
Don’t let the Illinois weather catch you off guard! Contact the experts at Preferred Flooring to get your home warm for the winter. Schedule an appointment today!
- Published in Blog
Choosing the Best Floors for Your Pet: Full-Service Flooring at Preferred Flooring
We love our pets, but sometimes our preferred flooring option is just not the best choice for our four-legged family members. Pet parents must consider durable floors that will outlast years of scratches, stains, and odors. From our team at Preferred Flooring, here are some of our suggestions, plus ways to keep your floors looking good for longer.
Durable Flooring
The biggest concern we hear from pet owners about their floors is how to reduce scratching. Claws are just a part of owning a furry friend, and the best way to deal with them is to find a flooring option that won’t scratch easily.
Tile
One of the most durable flooring options on the market, tile can withstand scratches, dents, and spills. Even the rowdiest pet would have a hard time sinking their claws into this ceramic, porcelain, or stone surface.
Because it is smooth and non-porous, tile floors are also easy to clean. You don’t need to worry about using specialty cleaning products like hardwood floors. Additionally, floor tiles also don’t hold on to odors. Even while potty-training the new addition to your home, you won’t have to worry about unwanted smells lingering long after cleaning up the mess.
Aesthetically, tile has come a long way. Modern manufacturing technology means that tile comes in all types of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. It can even be made to look like stone or wood – great options for homeowners who want the look of a different type of flooring with the durability of tile!
Luxury Vinyl
Durable and easy to install, luxury vinyl is ideal for homes with pets. It looks identical to genuine hardwood, but luxury vinyl does not require as much upkeep. It also takes less time to install, even with a full-service flooring company, because vinyl does not require chemical sealants.
Luxury vinyl is made of layers of either wood-plastic composite (WPC) or stone-plastic composite (SPC). The top layer is a high-resolution image that gives the vinyl its wood-like appearance. These layers support the durability of luxury vinyl, making it completely waterproof and a preferred flooring choice for pet owners.
Maintaining Your Floors
Even with the most durable flooring available, nothing will look brand-new for years to come without the proper care. When it comes to pets, the best way to care for your floors is to care for your pets!
- Trim claws regularly. A regular manicure makes your and your pet’s lives easier, and it is always the quickest way to prevent scratches! Use a pet-friendly nail clipper or Dremel to file down your furry friend’s claws as needed.
- Clean up messes immediately. In addition to general cleanliness, cleaning up messes right away will prevent unwanted odors and bacteria from seeping into the floorboards. Once odor particles penetrate the lower layers of the floor, they are nearly impossible to get out.
- Maintain food and water area. Consistently watch your pet’s food and water station for spills and clean any up immediately. Consider placing the food and water bowls on a towel or plastic mat to limit spills.
Durable Floors at Preferred Flooring
Your pets deserve the best, and we are here to help you give it to them. Visit our showroom in Breese, Illinois, to see our extensive line of pet-friendly flooring! Contact us or visit us online to schedule your visit!
- Published in Blog