Man’s best friend is a welcome part of the family and a lifelong resident of the home. Whether you’re a dog lover who may or not be building your own sleigh team, or you have one canine for the kids, it’s important to ensure that you have the best flooring for the task. Over the years, flooring materials that do not hold up well to pet use can begin to quickly wear out while also putting some strain on your furry friend. It can prove entirely beneficial for those with pets to consider a new flooring change. Those who are on the fence as to whether or not they should adopt a dog may find that their current flooring is not conducive for puppy playtime.
Regardless of the flooring material you choose, be sure you protect your investment with Eco Cork Foam. Our proprietary blend of polyethylene foam and granulated cork ensures that you are getting the best underlayment for laminate flooring, hardwood, and more. While hidden underneath, your floor underlayment can provide a wide range of benefits for your home or business. Our cork flooring underlayment is designed to provide the most support, comfort, and moisture protection on the market.
Despite what is placed beneath your new floors, the wear and tear above will play a major role in the daily enjoyment of your home. Today, we’ll look at a few of the most popular flooring materials available and how they perform for homes with moderate to heavy canine activities.
The Biggest Concerns for Dogs
Before you begin to cover each material, keep these factors in mind. Ultimately, it will fall on you to balance the benefits for your dog, your cleaning schedule, and your wallet. Be sure to keep these factors in mind when shopping for new flooring:
- The comfort of your pet. If your dog does not enjoy the new floors, you can expect varying emotions and actions as a result!
- The traction for your pet. Dogs utilize claws for traction and control. On home flooring, this can give way to slippery and potentially dangerous results.
- Scratch protection. Based on your dog’s weight, size, and nail length, the scratches that affect your new floor should be considered before buying.
- Damage defenses. From impacts to gouges and pet stains, it’s important to consider the defenses of your flooring.
Carpet Flooring
Upon first inspection, carpet seems like the perfect choice for your four-legged friend. After all, this fabric is soft, comfortable, and fantastic to sleep on. You, as the homeowner, have the benefit of choosing from a wide range of designs and styles to best fit your home design and your pet needs. Loopless piles, for example, can help to prevent snags on your dog’s claws.
One advantageous aspect of carpet is its ability to hide dirt and pet hair. This benefit only holds if you spend the time to properly clean your carpets. Otherwise, piles of hair can begin to build up and trap more debris and allergens, which can impact your air quality. Pet stains can also be a big concern for owners. Carpets can absorb messes of all types, drying and bonding with the fabrics. If you have big or multiple dogs, your carpet can suffer from a lot of wear and tear. Fortunately, carpet tiles are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace.
Verdict: Carpet will provide the perfect spot for your canine to nap and play, but proactive cleaning measures are needed for the best results.
Hardwood Flooring
This timeless flooring material can inject beauty and warmth into your home design. If you are the proud owner of hardwood flooring and dogs, then you know the challenges of having these two in the home. Scratches, stains, and other harmful effects can prove damaging for most floors, but hardwood can prove even more susceptible due to its higher price and natural surface.
Flooring experts often recommend against hardwood flooring, but if you are set on the choice, they will tell you to go with the sturdier species. Hardwoods are durable and able to resist damage, and the harder varieties can withstand thousands of more pounds of force before failure occurs. If you do decide to install hardwood for your canines, be sure to find a coated product for the best resistance to doggie damages. One major advantage of this material is your ability to refinish it multiple times over the years for that brand new look.
Verdict: Hardwood is an amazing and durable material, but it will likely not fare well for those with large dogs.
Laminate Flooring
Homeowners looking for the real look of hardwood without its high price and stain potential can benefit from laminate styles. Our floor underlayment company was founded to provide the best underlayment for laminate flooring, engineered hardwood, and more. We have a wealth of experience with laminate, and we’re here to tell you our opinion for your home — it depends.
As the modern alternative to hardwood, laminate does hold a few advantages. For one, the treated surface yields less noticeable scratches. Cleanups are also easier with this high-glass finish product. Laminate is also more water-resistant, making pet stains and water spills less concerning as a whole. Keep in mind, though, laminate can also be very slippery for your four-legged friends. Be sure to invest in laminate with an embossed or textured finish to provide traction. As always, rugs and runners help!
Verdict: Laminate is an effective choice for homeowners who take the precautions needed for their canines. Laminate does not last as long as hardwood, but it can certainly provide some advantages!
There are many material considerations when you are looking for the best flooring for your dogs. Regardless of the material you choose, it can prove beneficial to invest in a floor underlayment. Eco Cork Foam is proud to be your go-to choice for laminate underlayments, hardwood underlayments, and more. Our unique blend provides a wide range of benefits for your structure, and our third-party ratings are here to prove it. Contact us today to learn more or stop by your local Home Depot to try a roll!
