The Best Pet Friendly Types of Flooring Materials

Are you looking to install new flooring in your home? Are you looking for something that looks great and that your pets won’t destroy?

While we love our furry friends, it’s no secret that our pets can wreak havoc on our home flooring. Luckily, there are plenty of flooring options out there that are Fido-friendly. 

What types of flooring materials should you be installing in your home?

Check out this guide to discover the top pet-friendly flooring materials. 

Vinyl

When it comes to pet-friendly flooring options, vinyl is one of your best bets. 

Not only is vinyl inexpensive, but it’s also waterproof and stain and scratch-resistant. It’s also very comfortable underfoot, which means it’ll keep both you and your pets happy. Additionally, vinyl is easy to maintain and easy to install. 

There are also several different types of vinyl flooring options you have to choose from. These include:

Luxury Vinyl 

As the name suggests, luxury vinyl is the most expensive of all vinyl options. However, since vinyl is generally inexpensive, you can still find luxury vinyl at a very reasonable price. (modafinil)  

This type of flooring can mimic the look of hardwood or natural stone, but it’s much easier on your pets.

You can choose from both luxury vinyl planks and luxury vinyl tiles. Both options are highly durable and can withstand many of the problems pets present. Luxury vinyl is also water-resistant, and some types are even waterproof. 

Vinyl Sheet 

Vinyl sheet is another great option for homes with pets. This type of flooring comes in a roll, so there’s no grout and no seams. However, just like luxury vinyl, you can find vinyl sheet in highly realistic natural stone and hardwood styles. 

Vinyl Tile 

Lastly, we have vinyl tile. Vinyl tiles come in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles that closely resemble natural products such as ceramic tile or natural stone. 

Tile 

Timeless and long-lasting, tile flooring will never go out of style. When combined with grout, the texture of tile flooring offers plenty of traction for your pets. 

The biggest benefit of tile flooring is that it’s easy to clean and maintain. Your pup had an accident? All you need to do is wipe it up. Got a golden retriever that sheds everywhere? Quickly vacuum or sweep up the extra hair!

Owners also love tile flooring because it’s extremely scratch-resistant. The only real drawback to this type of flooring is that tile tends to be hard and cold on pets’ paws. However, this is just an excuse to have your pets cuddle up on your lap!

Laminate

If you’re looking for a flooring option that resembles wood but doesn’t come with all of the maintenance, then laminate flooring is a great option. 

Laminate flooring is known for being easy to clean, stain-resistant, durable, and hard, which means it can stand up to even the messiest of pets. Although this flooring isn’t entirely scratch-resistant, scratches are less noticeable on laminate flooring. 

The only major downside to laminate flooring is that it can be very slippery for furry paws. Therefore, if you have a senior dog or an active dog, we suggest choosing a textured or scraped laminate flooring, as this will help add some traction. 

Cork 

If you’re worried about the allergens and mold that pets bring with them, then cork flooring is going to be your new best friend.

This is because cork flooring is anti-microbial. In other words, it’s resistant to allergens and mold.

Cork flooring is also a great option because it’s one of the most comfortable flooring options out there for both pets and humans. And, it’s sound absorbing, which means you won’t be disturbed by the sounds of Fido stomping across the floor. 

Cork flooring also has a very stylish appearance and requires very little maintenance. 

But, keep in mind that cork is still a part of the wood family, which means that it’s still prone to scratches. However, it’s still more scratch-resistant than hardwood flooring. 

Additionally, cork is water-resistant, but not waterproof. This means that if you have potty training puppies, you should probably hold off on installing cork flooring for a little while. 

You should also avoid installing cork flooring in rooms with heavy furniture, as the furniture can cause dents in the floor. It’s also doesn’t do great in rooms that are exposed to a lot of sunlight, as the sunlight can discolor the flooring over time. 

Bamboo 

For those looking for a pet-friendly and environmentally-friendly flooring option, bamboo is your answer. 

Many people don’t know this, but bamboo flooring is actually one of the hardest and most durable flooring options on the market. It’s also very easy to maintain and is resistant to wear and tear, making it incredibly pet-friendly. People also love bamboo because it can add a lot of style to your home. 

However, bamboo does come with some drawbacks. Like cork, bamboo is still a part of the wood family, which means it’s sensitive to moisture and susceptible to scratching. In other words, this flooring option is best for well-trained pets. 

Additionally, bamboo can be a bit expensive, so make sure you have room for it in your budget. 

Engineered Hardwood 

While hardwood and pets don’t make a good match, if you’re dying for hardwood floors, then go with engineered hardwood. 

Just be sure to choose a type of engineered hardwood that ranks high on the Janka test, such as white oak or Brazilian cherry. Also, you’ll definitely want to install a scratch-resistant finish to the floor. 

Types of Flooring Materials: Which One Will You Choose?

Now that you know about the different types of flooring materials, it’s time to choose which one is right for your home. 

Also, be sure to check back in with our blog for more home improvement tips and tricks.