As with most home decor and material options, flooring is largely an issue of personal preference, particularly in comparison with rooms in which moisture is an issue — the kitchen and the toilet. An almost bewildering selection of materials can be found, but if pets are in the image, that helps to narrow the selection of alternatives. Eyes may decimate some types of flooring in a rush, and they may not be familiar on other sorts. Pet-friendly floors are durable, resilient and easy to clean.
Vinyl and Linoleum
Vinyl and linoleum floors have everything pets need and cleaning is uncomplicated. If the thought of a sheet of vinyl in the family room doesn’t appeal to you, consider luxury vinyl tiles. They are thick enough to have any give, making them comfortable for you and your pets, and they snap together like laminate flooring boards, so they’re quick to install. Keep in mind that linoleum and vinyl aren’t the same. Linoleum is a product created out of wood powder, cork, resin and olive oil, so it is an environmentally-friendly flooring alternative in addition to an appealing and durable one.
Wood and Laminates
Wood floors look appealing almost everywhere, and laminate floors are almost identical from solid wood oftentimes. The key to making either type of flooring work in a home with pets is the floor’s finish. It requires a powerful polyurethane coating to resist the scratching and the daily wear caused by a dog’s nails, and you find the most durable finishes on prefinished wood flooring and laminates. Avoid slick finishes, though, or you may find your pets struggling to remain on their feet. Wood and laminate floors only work in homes with correctly house-trained pets; accidents can quickly destroy these materials, particularly wood.
Carpet Options
Carpeting adds both heat and comfort to the family room. But it is a dangerous alternative when young dogs and cats are involved who aren’t housebroken yet. You do have methods to benefit from the insulating material and sound-reduction qualities of rug and still maintain decorum. Carpet tiles fit together effortlessly to cover any type of subfloor, and when one is soiled beyond repair, you can just replace it. If you would rather wall-to-wall carpeting, you can purchase treated carpet that won’t absorb fluids and pads that go under the rug that you can switch out when required. Whichever carpeting you choose, keep the pile short to prevent it from snagging on nails or getting kitty’s favorite nail-sharpening surface.
Use Rugs
Regardless of the covering you choose for your ground, plan to wash it more often once you have a pet. You can cut down on the time you need to spend doing so by covering the most-used regions of the ground with area rugs. If the floor has a smooth finish, don’t forget to add ripped under cushioning, or perhaps you come across the rugs bunched up against the wall or the couch. The simplest rugs to wash are created from bamboo fibers, a natural fiber such as sisal or sea grass. Wool carpets are fine for house-trained pets.
Related Posts
