If you have pets, you’re already used to taking extra care of everything in your home. Your floors are no exception. For instance, cats have a habit of scratching and spilling, making floor maintenance a necessary duty.
Pet owners need flooring that’s both attractive and durable to the antics of their pets.
We explain some options.
1. Stain-resistant carpets
These days carpets offer pet owners the indulgence of comfort with durability. Stain- resistant carpets are a good example.
These are perfect as they resist all stains and dirt. Cat owners will prefer dense twist pile carpets as they don’t trap hair or dander easily and are simpler to clean. Some of these carpets can also be cleaned with bleach without losing their color.
2. Laminate flooring
If you don’t like carpets, laminate flooring is a good alternative. It looks very much like hardwood but far more resilient against water and scratches.
Laminates that are high-quality are easier to clean and can be tough against wear and tear from your pet’s paws. Go for laminate with a high scratch resistance, your pet can go to town with their scratching and it won’t affect your flooring.
A textured finish can look like real wood but also give it solid competition in terms of better pet grip.
3. Vinyl flooring
The most pet-friendly option out there is vinyl flooring. It is hygienic, waterproof, slightly cushioned and gentle on your pet’s paws, all the while resisting scratches.
In most cases all you need to clean your vinyl floors is just a mop. Tiles and stone are colder surfaces, but vinyl has a warmer surface so it is more comfortable for your pets.
4. Durable flooring options
If you need high durability above all qualities, go for hard-wearing flooring materials. These display no depreciation or signs of wear as a result of your pets moving about their daily routine.
Make sure the flooring has a high abrasion resistance rating for heavy use. Also, be confident that the material is safe for your pets – don’t risk it breaking or splintering, as that can harm them.
5. Balancing durability and style
All the flooring options that we mentioned above balance durability and style. Just because a certain flooring type is good for resisting pet action doesn’t mean it must look ugly.
These materials can look good while handling all pet-related challenges, but even the most durable floors will benefit from extra protection, i.e., you can take some supplementary steps to make these floors more conducive to your goals:
- Add scratching posts: these can be designated scratching areas for your cats to preserve the other sections of flooring
- Routine trimming: deal with the source of all scratches; regularly trim your pet’s nails to reduce the risk of damage
- Rugs and runners: you can also add carpets in high-traffic areas for more protection
Parting Thoughts
You have to take a lot of factors into consideration when you’re choosing the right flooring. Take into account durability, ease of cleaning, visual appeal, certification, etc.
Whichever option you end up choosing, you need to maintain it properly to get the most out of it. Keep in touch and consult with flooring professionals and test samples at home to find a perfect fit for your needs and your pet’s lifestyle and habits.
With the right guidance and quality materials, your floor can handle the demands of a pet-friendly household.
At Urmston Carpets in Manchester, you can explore a wide range of carpets and flooring, including clearance items from well-known manufacturers. They provide free fitting and delivery services, as well as sub-floor preparation for added convenience.