Pet Friendly Flooring

There are so many different types of flooring on the market today that it is hard to know which one to choose. The decision is even harder if you have pets. The last thing you want to do is spend a ton of money on new flooring only to have it scratched by your pet's nails.

First, educate yourself on all your flooring options. Hardwood flooring is great and there are many different kinds of wood and finishes. Most hardwood has to be nailed or glued down so installation costs will be high. The good thing about using real wood is that you can refinish it a few times if you have to. Most hardwood flooring will show scratches from your pet. Go with a harder wood like a Brazilian Cherry if you can.

Laminate is basically a picture of wood that is glued to plywood with a clear coat on top. Think of it much like the old laminate countertops. They can make it look like any substance you want. Of course, in laminate flooring you have many different choices too. The thicker it is the better it will wear and the easier it will be to install. Most laminate floors can be floated and are just click together pieces. It's the kind of project that most people can do on their own, if they do not want to hire a contractor. You will not be able to refinish laminate but if you purchased extra you can replace any that get damaged since it is just a click and go floor.

Bamboo flooring is becoming very popular lately but be careful if you have pets as bamboo is very soft. Look for Carbonized Strand Bamboo which is extremely hard and durable. The thicker the planks the more times you can refinish them. You will find a few different finishes and colors to choose from. This is the perfect choice if you have pets since it is still cheaper than hardwood, can be floated like laminate, and it can be refinished.

No matter which of these you put down in your home you must know that your pet will have a hard time with traction. Laminate is the worst since it is flat and glossy. Many people end up having to put down an assortment of throw rugs to help their pets get around the house.

If your pet has an indoor accident, be sure to wipe it up quickly as liquids can damage any of these floors. If liquids are left on the flooring too long you can end up with stains or warped planks. Many people opt to go with ceramic tile floors since they are more resilient and stand up better to an animal's nails. Tiles will not scratch and some have textured surfaces that give them more traction. The cost, however, will be quite a bit higher.