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31 Jul 2024

Best Flooring Options for Homes with Pets

Best Flooring Options for Homes with Pets - Markham Tiles

As a pet owner, you need flooring that can handle your pet’s claws, hide dander, be easy to clean, provide a comfy space for your pets to take naps, and still look nice in your home. To overcome all these challenges, you need a floor that can handle all these. In this article, we have mentioned the best flooring options for homes with pets to ease the choice of floors that suit your home.

Choosing Flooring for Dogs: What to Consider

It’s easy to find floors that suit your pet’s lifestyle and still look good. You just need to know what to look for. Here are the key points to consider while choosing a floor.

  • Scratch Resistance: Look for scratch-resistant floors, as your pets’ nails can cause a lot of damage.
  • Water and Stain Resistance: If your dog isn’t potty trained or spills every time, choose floors that won’t easily get ruined or stained.
  • Upkeep: Being a pet owner, choose floors that are easy to maintain
  • Comfort and Traction: Different flooring options are available on the market to provide comfort and better traction for your pet.
  • Cost: Choose floors that will give you a better return on investment. Various budget options are available to suit your needs.

Best Pet-Friendly Flooring Options

Choosing a scratch-proof and dirt-proof material will ensure the durability and longevity of your floors. Here are some of the best flooring options for pet owners.

1. Water-Resistant Laminate

Water resistant Laminate - Markham Tiles

Laminate flooring is a good, affordable option for pet owners who want the look of wood, stone, or tile. This flooring has four layers: a melamine backing, a fiberboard core, a printed design layer, and a melamine wear layer. Pet owners should choose water-resistant or waterproof laminate because regular laminate and engineered wood can be damaged by liquids if not cleaned up quickly. For the best durability, pick laminate flooring with an abrasion class rating of 4 or 5, which means it is more resistant to scratches and scuffs.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Tough and durable
  • Stains and marking-resistant
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Pet-friendly spaces require water-resistant laminate
  • loud underfoot
  • Slippery surface

2. Tile

Tile - markham tiles

Tile is a great choice for pet owners because it looks nice and is easy to clean. It’s very durable, especially when installed with a solid base and good grout. Ceramic or porcelain tile is strong and long-lasting in the tile category. However, tile can be slippery for your pets, so choose slip-resistant types and use wider grout for improved traction. Tile is good for warm climatic conditions because the cool floor makes you feel comfortable in the summer. In cooler climates, tile can be cold in winter, but it works well with radiant heating, which your pets will enjoy.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Water and scratch-resistant
  • Easy to maintain
  • Porcelain tile is better than ceramic for pet owners than

Cons:

  • Bit expensive
  • It can be slippery because of the thin grout lines
  • Loud underfoot

3. Vinyl

Vinyl - MarkhamTiles

Vinyl flooring is a better choice because of its durability, ease of cleaning, and comfort for pets and humans. It usually has four layers: a foam or cork backing, waterproof plastic, a design layer that imitates the look of wood or stone, and a surface protection layer. Some vinyl flooring also has textures similar to wood or stone, which can help prevent pets from slipping. Sheet vinyl is easy to install and works well in small rooms with fewer seams.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Waterproof vinyl is easy to clean
  • Resistant to scratches and markings
  • Quiet underfoot
  • Cool and comfortable for pets

Cons:

  • Less eco-friendly
  • Less desirable for resale

4. Cork

Cork - Markham Tiles

Cork flooring is a good option if you want something soft and quiet, like a carpet, but without any staining problems. It comes in tiles or planks and has different wood patterns. Cork has a natural wax that makes it resistant to water, mold, insects, and fire. Its softness also helps if you drop things. Although it can get scratched more easily than wood floors, you can replace the tiles or planks if needed.

Pros:

  • Naturally antimicrobial
  • Mold and mildew-resistant
  • Absorbs sound well
  • Less maintenance
  • An eco-friendly flooring

Cons:

  • More prone to scratches and dents
  • Can discolour slowly

5. Engineered Hardwood

Engineered Hardwood - markhamtiles

If you want the look of real hardwood floors but at a lower cost, engineered hardwood is a good choice. It has a thin layer of real wood on top, so it looks like natural wood and usually lasts longer. It can handle some surface moisture if cleaned quickly, but it’s not as water-resistant as vinyl. Too much moisture can damage it permanently. Engineered hardwood comes in various finishes, colours, and patterns to match different styles. Although it’s not as scratch or water-resistant as other types of flooring, it comes with protective layers suitable for pet owners.

Pros:

  • Stylish
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Not water resistant
  • Scratches easily

6. Bamboo

Bamboo - Markham tiles

Bamboo is a great choice if you want floors that look and feel like natural hardwood but are pet-friendly. It is very durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain. Bamboo comes in engineered and solid forms and can be stained and finished in various ways. It’s one of the strongest flooring materials and is resistant to major damage. While it can be sensitive to moisture, it’s less likely to get permanent stains with proper care and is easy to maintain.

Pros:

  • Scratch, dent and moisture-resistant
  • Stain resistant
  • Eco-friendly material
  • Easy to maintain
  • Warm in winter

Cons:

  • Moisture sensitive
  • Quality can be different
  • Expensive

7. Carpet

Carpet - MarkhamTiles

Carpet is a popular choice because it’s warm and comfortable, especially in cooler climates. It’s great for pets who like a soft spot to rest. However, it’s for pets that cause spills more often because it stains easily and holds odours. Carpet also needs more maintenance than other types of flooring, especially with shedding pets, as it needs regular vacuuming. If you choose carpet, look for stain- and water-resistant options.

Pros:

  • Avaliable in different shades, colours, textures and sizes
  • Comfortable

Cons:

  • Attracts more dust, pet hair, dander, ticks and insects
  • High maintenance
  • Expensive

Tips For Protecting Your Floors

No matter which flooring you choose, it needs proper care and maintenance to look good. This is especially important for pet owners. Follow the tips below to keep your floors clean.

1. Clean the Spills Immediately

No matter what type of floors you have, clean up spills immediately to prevent stains or permanent damage. The longer water stays on your floors, the more likely it is to cause damage.

2. Frequent Trimming of Pet’s Nails

Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed can help reduce scratches on your floors. Regular grooming will also limit damage to your floors.

3. Maintain Hygiene in the Pet Food Area

The area where your pet eats and drinks usually needs to be cleaned. Put mats under the food and water bowls to prevent spills and protect your floors.

4. Clean and Maintain the Floor Regularly

Adopting a daily cleaning routine can help you maintain the cleanliness of your floors. Vacuuming frequently, ideally every day, helps control pet hair and dander. Mopping once a week keeps your floors fresh. Focus on high-traffic areas for daily vacuuming.

Conclusion

No flooring is completely pet-proof, but you can find options that handle the wear and tear from having pets. You can keep your floors beautiful even with pets with a good cleaning routine. There are many choices, like waterproof and scratch-resistant floors, so you can find the right type that fits your lifestyle. Looking to upgrade your floors? Visit Markham Tiles to explore a wide range of stylish and durable flooring options perfect for your home. From elegant tiles to practical choices for pet owners, we have something to fit every need. Contact us today to find the ideal flooring solution for your space!

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