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!