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Pet Friendly Flooring Options

Life is better when shared with our beloved pets, but we know that it can also be very messy! Whenever you are upgrading your floors, there are always a wide list of factors to consider when making your selection, especially if you are a pet owner.

As pet owners (and lovers) ourselves, we understand the needs of active families. We know four-legged friends can be heavy on floors leaving scratches, pet hair, dander and accidental messes in their way. So, unless you plan on banishing your pet to the backyard, it is important to analyze some points to invest in a good flooring option for all your family needs.

Are you struggling and frustrated with the floor buying process? Don’t worry, Let Cavalieri Flooring help you find the flooring of your dreams! You can call us or fill out our form, within 15 min an expert will call you to go through any questions you may have and set a free estimate.

Bellow we list the 3 best types of flooring for pet/animal owners. We came up with a list of all the pros and cons of each type of flooring to help you find a flooring that you’ll love and that’s resistant to the wear and tear caused on it by your pets.

Vinyl Flooring

Tile and Stone Flooring

Waterproof Laminate

VINYL FLOORING

Luxury vinyl flooring is a great choice for pet owners. It can mimic the look of hardwood, natural stone or tile, without the upkeep. Thanks to technological advances and enhanced design capability, vinyl floors can now look and feel nearly identical to the products they’re mimicking.

Vinyl flooring is on top of the list because it is a very budget friendly option with high durability. Vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof, scratch and scuff resistant, while remain soft and comfortable for your pet. They are simple to install, and extra easy to clean.

Vinyl flooring is a product composed of several layers of different materials together to form a highly durable, practical and affordable floor covering. The two main types of vinyl flooring are: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and vinyl roll. Both are made from the same materials; however, they're constructed differently to produce different effects. For example, the plank format is ideal to imitate natural wood.

Vinyl flooring is generally considered to be a highly durable material. There are, however, important factors that determine how well your floor lasts over time. For instance, the quality of the material, how it was manufactured, and how well it was installed, will all impact the durability and life expectancy of your vinyl flooring. Vinyl floors can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years, depending on their quality and how they're installed and maintained.

All vinyl flooring products are waterproof because they're composed primarily of PVC. However, the quality of installation can affect their level of water-resistance. For instance, LVP comes in planks or tiles that sit side by side, resulting in multiple seams. So, while the planks and tiles themselves are waterproof, if you install them incorrectly, there's the possibility of water or moisture seeping through the seams. Vinyl roll, on the other hand, comes in sheets and there are usually very few, if any, seams when installed.

At Cavalieri Flooring, our vinyl floors look and feel nearly identical to the products they are mimicking- without the upkeep. They are 100% Waterproof, Uniclic, IXPE Padding Attached for quiet underfoot, Heavy Commercial Scratch and Stain resistant. Our luxury vinyl plank floor lines are remastered with the most realistic hardwood grain patterns, and we offer lifetime residential warranty.

Benefits:

• Cost-effective

• Waterproof vinyl and/or water resistant vinyl are easy to clean

• Available in many different looks including vinyl plank

• Flooring designs that mimic natural stone and wood

• Easy to Upkeep

• Comfortable and quiet underfoot

• Scratch resistant vinyl and stain resistant vinyl options are also available

• Very Comfortable

• Works with radiant heating systems

Considerations:

• Can dull easily if you opt for a thin protective layer

• Less eco-friendly

• Less desirable for resale

Verdict:

• The best overall fit for humans and dogs

• Most budget-friendly flooring option

• Easy to maintain, durable and reliable

• Stylish options help boost resale value

TILE AND STONE FLOORING

Tile is one of the most durable, timeless and popular option. Offered in a variety of styles, materials, and finishes, Tile is Water-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. This is the kind of flooring that can keep up with all your pet messes. It is one of the best options and has frequently been a go-to option 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.

Tile flooring can be highly affordable, costing from us little as $1.00 per square foot, however good quality tiles can set you back as much as $30.00 per square foot. The most common Tile and Stone flooring are Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone.

• 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 Tile: Natural stone such as marble, granite or travertine has a distinct beauty that can’t be achieved with substitutes. While it can be very expensive, it’s a great way to infuse natural beauty into your home.

Now, the downside is that while tile (including wood-look tile) and stone are convenient for you, they aren’t the most comfortable flooring for your pet. One downside is that tile floors are cold, and hard feel. As a pet owner, you may consider a stain-resistant grout or additional sealing for your grout. It’s worth your investment to save future cleaning and staining from your furry friends.

Benefits:

• Tile is a durable, long-life material

• Waterproof or water resistant and scratch resistant

• Tile offers timeless style

Considerations:

• Can be expensive, though low-cost options exist

• Installation can be difficult and more expensive

• Thin grout lines can make for slippery floors

• Grout lines can stain

• Loud underfoot

Verdict:

• Ideal for warm climates, but less suitable for cold areas

• Tile flooring can be made comfortable with rugs and pet beds

• Can be costly, but tile flooring is highly durable

• Timeless style adds value to your home

WATERPROOF LAMINATE FLOORING

If you want wood floors, but you’re looking to spend less, laminate may be a great option for your pet’s family. Laminate flooring is similar to the vinyl WPC or SPC flooring as they’re installed “floating”, however laminates are not typically waterproof. Not all laminate is equally water-resistant, which is an important element because laminate is easily damaged by standing or puddled water. So, it is worth paying attention to the level of water resistance and any extra protection that the laminates you are choosing from will offer you.

Cavalieri Flooring partnered with MOHAWK to bring to our clients the best laminate flooring in the market now! Mohawk waterproof laminate features Waterproof Guaranteed and SplashDefense™ Technology

Laminate is among the very best pet flooring choices for pet owners specially because it’s the kind of flooring that stands up against scratches and stains, making it great for active pets. In terms of scratch resistant is a tough one. Not all brands or models of flooring are the same in this area, however. When shopping for laminate, you should specifically look at the specifications on the products abrasion classification (AC). AC ratings for laminate go from A1-A5. You will want a floor with at least an A3 rating to withstand pet claw action.

One down side of laminate is sound resistance and Traction. Some laminate can be loud when walking on it. Specially if you have a two-story house, you should consider investing in acoustic laminate underlay. In terms of traction, laminate is considered a slippery surface and can be problematic for aging pets.

Benefits:

• Cost-effective for big and small spaces

• Scratch resistant laminate is tough and durable

• Resists stains and markings from messes

• Easy to clean with minimal effort

• Heated laminate can be comfortable in colder climates

Considerations:

• Water resistant laminate is required for most pet-friendly spaces

• Sound resistance: Can be loud without more costly noise resistant laminate

• Resists stains and markings from messes

• Slippery surface can be problematic for aging pets

Verdict:

• An excellent choice for homeowners who value durable, easy-to-clean flooring

• Slickness could be bad for aging dogs

• Water can cause long-term damage if you're not diligent

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