Having pets and hardwood flooring shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
Here’s a fun fact: 85 million homes have a pet. Pet ownership is going up nationwide. Having pets and hardwood flooring shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. You also shouldn’t need to settle for wall-to-wall carpeting just because you don’t want to see unsightly scratches everywhere. Here are some suggestions for flooring choices that are surprisingly pet-friendly.
Hardwood That Resists Scratches
Choosing hardwood flooring that resists scratches is the obvious choice. That’s part of why you could engineered hardwood flooring over its solid counterparts. If you have doubts about it, then here’s some food for thought: engineered hardwood is more dimensionally stable and durable, which means that it will last longer than you might imagine. However, scratch-resistant isn’t scratch-proof! There are still some measures you should take to ensure that your hardwood floors last as long as you want them to, and for longer than what the warranty promises! Keeping your flooring clean is essential, as is going as slowly you can when moving furniture, no matter how heavy it is. Dropping heavy items on your floor can leave scratches and dents that can be hard to buff out. Dragging and sliding items along the floor is also a bad idea, especially if you might spill something on your hardwood floor.
Waterproof Flooring
It’s also a good idea to have waterproofing flooring. Luxury vinyl tile is one of the examples of waterproof flooring that you can choose from. These stop stains from water bowls, drink spills, and dirty paws. Remember, both dogs and cats like to go outside, and in the summertime, you can’t always stop them from tracking in mud from the most recent rainstorm. Vinyl doesn’t have to look like vinyl, either. Tile and laminate flooring are also scratch-resistant and waterproof.
Carpets That are Pet-Friendly
There are some varieties of carpet that are also pet-friendly. Why is this the case? They don’t stain as easily, so pet accidents (or not-so-accidental protests) won’t leave behind the ugly, messy results as they would with other types of carpets that look bright and clean at first, but over time get dirty just from foot and paw traffic. Stain and soil technologies have vastly improved over the years, and you get to take advantage!
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? Trust John K Eareckson & Co.
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co., Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come; from a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information, visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also look for us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.