Here in Harrogate, we are a community of dog lovers. Just pop into Valley Gardens and you will see what we mean!
From big dogs to tiny ones and everything in between, we value our pets as close members of our families, and therefore it’s important to plan our home interiors to suit their needs too.
So, what are the best flooring options for homes with pets? Let’s take a look at a few of the options…
Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT)
LVT is a solid choice for your home flooring if you have dogs and cats. Nowadays, the design options are endless with this type of flooring and can mimic the exact look of solid wood, natural stone or tiles at a fraction of the price. Amtico is one brand of luxury vinyl that we stock, which is hugely popular and highly desirable, and with many different designs available.
As well as being cost-effective, LVT is really durable and can withstand paws, claws and all – being resistant to scratches and tears. Most luxury vinyl is also water resistant, so those spilt water bowls and post-walk water smudges can be wiped away easily, without staining or swelling.
Pet-friendly carpets
If you are looking for a carpet option that will best suit your four-legged friends, then there are definitely some good options available. Cut pile carpet is definitely a good place to start as it is made by cutting the yarn to an upright pile, rather than a loop pile, which animal claws can easily get stuck into and pull out!
Having a carpet that is resistant to dirt and spills is also very important for pet owners, so you might want to consider a 100% polypropylene carpet. This is a good alternative to a natural fibre carpet and has a built-in resistance to dust, dirt and liquid spills – the stain will sit on top of the carpet pile instead of soaking into it, making it easy to clean away.
Finally, when it comes to colour and design of carpet; dark, patterned colours are always more preferable to owners of four-legged fluff-balls. As you can imagine, a lightly-coloured carpet will show up every piece of hair, fur or dirt, whereas with a darker shade you will be able to keep it looking cleaner for longer.
Laminate flooring
Although laminate flooring isn’t well renowned for being the most moisture-resistant type of flooring, when it comes to scratch resistance, it’s up there with the best. Laminate floors are easy to clean and maintain with a vacuum cleaner or a brush and are unlikely to dent or scratch like solid wood or tiles might.
Because water can get between the laminate boards, excess moisture can cause the flooring to swell, therefore it would not withstand large pools of water or spillages for long periods of time. Laminate flooring would therefore perhaps be suitable for your hallway or dining room, where pets are allowed to roam, but perhaps not in the kitchen or wherever your pet’s food and drink bowls are predominantly kept.
If you would like to chat with one of our friendly team about your pet-friendly flooring requirements, then please feel free to get in touch or pop into our Harrogate store to talk things through. Why not bring your pooch along with you too?