Best Flooring For Dogs: A Pet Owner's
Peter Hunt
Flooring Expert over 7 years in Business
— by Peter Hunt Expert in Flooring Installation
Peter Hunt
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flooring Expert over 7 years in Business
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It’s entirely possible to find floors that support the lifestyle of your dog while still retaining their beauty — you just need to know what to look for. The best option will ultimately depend on the kind of dog you have but there are a few main considerations to keep in mind.
- Scratch resistance: Dogs can do a lot of damage with their nails, so scratch resistance is an important factor to look out for when comparing different floor materials.
- Water and stain resistance: If your pup isn’t potty trained or is more prone to accidents and spills, finding floors that won’t easily ruin or stain will keep them looking pristine for the long haul.
- Upkeep: Choosing floors that aren’t a hassle to maintain will make your life easier as a dog owner.
- Comfort and traction: If you’re like most dog owners, you want your pets to be comfortable and safe. Different floor types offer varying levels of comfort and traction for your dogs.
- Cost: Your floors are a significant part of your home, and it’s important to find an option that will provide a good return on your investment while still meeting the needs of your budget.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you narrow down all the flooring options you have to choose from. Once you know what to look for, read on to compare some of the best dog-friendly flooring options and decide on a floor type that works best for both you and your dog.
1. Tile
Tile is a timeless option that has frequently been a go-to choice for pet owners. Unlike a material like laminate, tile can withstand spills and wet-mop clean ups, and is less sensitive to moisture than luxury vinyl. Thanks to the advancement of today’s flooring technology, the high definition imagery of modern porcelain tiles gives it a highly realistic appearance of natural stones and even hardwood floors.
When combined with grout, the texture of tile offers plenty of traction for pets. One potential downside is the cold, hard feel of tile that may be less comfortable for your pets than other flooring options. There are two popular types of tile:
- Porcelain: Slightly more durable and water-resistant than ceramic, porcelain tile is a good choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens.
- Ceramic: Ceramic tile can cater to more intricate or eye-catching designs, and some varieties have textured surfaces that add visual depth and dimension.
- Natural stone: Natural stone such as marble, granite or travertine has a distinct beauty that can’t be achieved with substitutes. While it can be expensive, it’s a great way to infuse natural beauty into your home.
Besides being one of the most durable and long-lasting floor materials available, the timeless style of tile can also add value to your home. While it can be expensive, most types of tile last anywhere from 10–20 years, and there are plenty of cost-effective options available.
6 Best Dog-Friendly Flooring Options
Vinyl flooring is durable, cost-effective and waterproof, making it an excellent choice for dog owners. Today’s vinyl flooring options can replicate the look of genuine hardwood flooring and other natural materials like stone or tile, with the added benefit of being more scratch-resistant and long-lasting. There are two main types of vinyl flooring:
- Luxury vinyl plank: Vinyl flooring designed in planks that mimic the look of traditional hardwood floors, with a softer underfoot than vinyl tile.
- Luxury vinyl tile: Vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape that mimics the look of traditional tile.
However, if the existing ceramic tile floor isn’t flat and smooth, or if it has a tile that is out of level or has a protruding corner, your laminate flooring will make you feel like you’re walking in a funhouse!
In that case, you can either opt to tear out all the tile and start from scratch or use a leveling compound on top of the tile floor to even it out prior to installing the laminate.
Good luck with your project,
The affordability and durability of luxury vinyl make this one of the best choices for pet owners who want pristine-looking floors that will withstand the wear and tear of pets. Besides being easy to clean and maintain, there are countless patterns and finishes that can suit a wide variety of styles.
Best Flooring for Dogs: A Pet Owner's Guide
Whether you’re in the market for a new Myrtle Beach home or working on renovating your current one, choosing the right pet-friendly flooring as a pet owner requires some important considerations. Finding flooring that both suits your personal style and accommodates your animals might seem like a challenge, but there are plenty of options that will work for everyone.
If you’re wondering how to choose new flooring that aligns with your style and can also withstand the wear and tear that comes with owning dogs, read on to learn the best options to best suit you and your dog’s needs, or jump to the infographic below for more tips.
Choosing Flooring for Dogs: What to Consider
Laminate is known for its durability and ability to withstand scratches, making it a great option for highly active pets. Laminate has a similar appearance to vinyl but it tends to more closely mimic the design of hand-scraped or distressed hardwood thanks to its surface detail and texture. Smoother laminate finishes may provide less traction for your dog’s paws and tend to provide less insulation than other floor options.
- Luxury vinyl plank: Vinyl flooring designed in planks that mimic the look of traditional hardwood floors, with a softer underfoot than vinyl tile.
- Luxury vinyl tile: Vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape that mimics the look of traditional tile.
However, if the existing ceramic tile floor isn’t flat and smooth, or if it has a tile that is out of level or has a protruding corner, your laminate flooring will make you feel like you’re walking in a funhouse!
In that case, you can either opt to tear out all the tile and start from scratch or use a leveling compound on top of the tile floor to even it out prior to installing the laminate.
Good luck with your project,
The affordability and durability of luxury vinyl make this one of the best choices for pet owners who want pristine-looking floors that will withstand the wear and tear of pets. Besides being easy to clean and maintain, there are countless patterns and finishes that can suit a wide variety of styles.
While it’s not as waterproof as other types of flooring, it’s just as easy to clean and usually more affordable. This hard-wearing material is protected from scratches, wear and straining — all the things dogs love to test our floors on.
For those who don’t want to sacrifice the look of genuine hardwood floors, engineered hardwood flooring is a cost-effective alternative. Made with a thin layer of natural hardwood on the top, this material emulates the appearance of natural wood floors and typically lasts longer. While engineered hardwood can handle surface moisture if cleaned quickly, it’s not as water-resistant as plastic-based materials like vinyl, and excessive moisture can cause permanent damage.
Engineered hardwood comes in many different finishes, qualities, colors and patterns to suit almost any style. While it isn’t as scratch- or moisture-resistant as other flooring types, there are protective finishing options that can make this a viable option for pet owners.
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