When you’re building a new home or renovating an existing property, choosing the right flooring is essential. It’s even more important for those with pets, because their furry companions will undoubtedly cause wear and tear over time through scratches, stains and dirt.
A few things to consider when choosing a pet-friendly flooring type include:
To help you find the best flooring option for your home, we’ve put together a pet-friendly flooring guide.
Laminate flooring makes it easier to clean up after your pet. It’s water resistant, durable and because of its high gloss finish scratches are usually less noticeable. Although the slippery surface can result in pets being a little less stable on their feet, you can select a flooring option that has a textured or embossed finish to reduce slipping. Alternatively, you can lay a rug to provide extra traction for your pet.
Compared to most other flooring materials, vinyl is an extremely affordable option for most pet owners. Both easy-to-clean and scratch and stain-resistant, it can be installed almost anywhere in the home. It is available in a wide variety of designs, promotes low levels of allergens and is a durable option that doesn’t compromise on style.
A go-to choice for a lot of pet owners, hardwood flooring is a clean option with a classic look that, for the most part, is scratch resistant – you can make it even more scratch and stain-resistant if you choose an option coated in urethane. While it’s not always the best flooring option due to it being more prone to water damage and staining – salt crystals in pet urine can cause odour and stains to appear over time – if you’re determined on having a beautiful hardwood style, the best pet-friendly materials include: mahogany, walnut, bamboo, hickory, sycamore, oak, cherry and maple.
Tile is a good option for pet owners. It’s extremely durable, scratch-resistant and easy to clean – some softer, more porous stones (like marble) might require a little more upkeep. Probably the only downside of tile flooring, it is cold and hard, so therefore does little to provide much in the way of comfort. You should consider underfloor heating and using rugs across the floor space for underfoot comfort, and also getting a pet bed for your four-legged friend.
Carpeting offers a comfortable landing spot for you and your pets. Ideal for low-traffic areas of the home, such as bedrooms, carpets come in a variety of colours and styles and it is easy to replace carpet tiles. However, a big downside with carpet is the difficulty in cleaning it, which is something to consider when you own a pet. Prone to staining and strong odours, you can use hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners on some carpets, but when it comes to pet hairs these are hard to get rid of using conventional vacuum cleaners.
When talking about wooden flooring options, bamboo is probably the best. It’s also one of the most popular for pet-friendly homes, especially those with dogs. With an ability to withstand high levels of traffic, its natural hardness makes it more stain and scratch-resistant than traditional hardwood floors. It’s also eco-friendly.
Just like bamboo, cork flooring is eco-friendly and a naturally antimicrobial material that helps reduce the growth of mould and other allergens. It can discolour overtime from sunlight exposure and it’s not suitable in rooms where heavy furniture will be placed, but it requires little in the way of maintenance and is both warm and flexible making it comfortable to walk on. It is also sound absorbing, therefore quiet underfoot.