23 Feb Pet Friendly Flooring

Pets are members of the family and for many elderly individuals, their pet is their family. There are many types of flooring that won’t exacerbate cleaning chores, are less likely to be damaged by pet nails, and are especially beneficial for those with respiratory problems. The following choices can actually improve the air quality of indoor environments.

Cork

An under-utilized flooring choice for pets is cork. It has natural microbial properties and has the look of hardwood. Cork is less likely to facilitate the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. It’s also a natural sound absorber that will help muffle the sound of claws on the floor. Cork is scratch-resistant, but not impervious to claws, and is a sustainable resource.

Hardwood

With the finishes available for hardwood floors, they’re resistant to scratching from pet nails and don’t attract and hold pet hair, dust and other types of allergens. Hardwood floors are easy to maintain, stain resistant, and can even be steam cleaned. The flooring minimizes the risk of mold and mildew.

Laminate

Highly durable, it’s an affordable option for premises with pets. Water and stain resistant, it’s designed with a coating that’s specially designed to resist scuffs, scratches. It’s very easy to clean and maintain.

Tile and Stone

Available in marble or porcelain materials, they’re flooring choices that are extremely durable and won’t be scratched or damaged by a pet’s nails. The floors are equally beneficial with a new puppy that hasn’t yet been potty trained and older animals that may have difficulty controlling their bowels and bladder.

The materials resist staining, and are water resistant. The disadvantage is that tile and stone are hard and cold. Pets will need something warm and soft to lie on and it’s also cold on human feet. Many people with tile and stone flooring install under-the-floor radiant heating systems.

Vinyl

The luxury vinyl available today is nothing like that of the past. It’s available in tiles and plank flooring that’s easy to keep free of allergens and pet hair – it and won’t crack, dent or bend, even with pet traffic. It’s also more economical than other forms of flooring and resistant to liquids and staining.