Kids and pets are some of the best gifts in life, but they can be a little bit punishing for less sturdy flooring. Toddlers can spill liquids on your carpet without warning. Your furry family members can easily leave scratches. Accidents, pet urine, and mess can lead to staining and result in foul odor that won’t disappear. Your flooring is going through a lot, and if you’re a pet owner or a parent, you need to install a flooring material that can withstand spills, scratches, or any wear and tear over time. Simply put, you need to find a floor covering that can stand the test of time while keeping your family safe and comfortable. Fortunately, there are several pet and kid-friendly flooring options in the market today. Let’s enumerate your choices before you even ask any Baltimore county Maryland flooring company for your next home improvement project.
Important Things to Consider
When you are looking for kid- and pet-friendly flooring, we need to consider some factors, so you can make a wise decision.
Water-Resistance. Can any spilled liquids or pet urine damage the flooring? Pet accidents can happen at home, and this can create a mess on your flooring. Young kids can spill milk or juice which may lead to a bad odor if not cleaned promptly. That is why you need a flooring material that can resist moisture or water.
Convenience. Will this flooring material make your pets and young kids at home uncomfortable? Though you don’t want to make your floor look unsightly, you still need to guarantee that your entire family is comfortable and safe. With this, you may want a floor covering that is easy to walk on and convenient to use.
Appearance. Is the flooring material aesthetically pleasing? This is a no brainer. You wouldn’t want a floor covering that looks bad on any décor at home. Hence, you still need material that is appealing to the eyes.
Durability and Maintenance. Will the flooring material last for a lifetime? The last thing you want to happen is to replace the floor every after 2 or 3 years just because it is not tough enough to stand the test of time. Always consider durable flooring for your home, whether it is in high or low foot traffic areas. You may also want to look for a material that is easy to clean.
Scratch-Resistance. Will the scratches from your kid’s toys or pets’ claws easily damage the floor? Pets can make contact with the floor every time they walk. Kids can scratch their toys on the surface, too. With this, you need a material that has strong protection from these scratches.
Option 1: Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the most versatile flooring choices today and a perfect material for families with pets and kids. It is available in planks or tiles and offers a stylish look inside your home. Any Baltimore county Maryland flooring company can provide you with a wide variety of colors, textures, and styles of luxury vinyl flooring.
More than just an eye-catching material, luxury vinyl flooring is a pet and kid-friendly option because it is exceptionally durable. A good quality luxury vinyl product can hold up so well against scratches, pet accidents, food and liquid spills, and moisture. Luxury vinyl flooring is difficult to rip or tear. Also, it is extremely easy to clean and maintain. Plus, it is a budget-friendly flooring material available in the market these days.
Though not as warm and soft as carpet flooring, luxury vinyl flooring is comfortable to walk on. It is soft underfoot, so your kids and pets won’t have any problems playing around the house. However, keep in mind that luxury vinyl can look dull over time. You can expect some tone and color changes over the years, and it may hurt the appearance of your flooring. Also, when it comes to increasing the resale value of your home, luxury vinyl flooring tends to be inferior to some potential home buyers.
Option 2: Tile and Stone Flooring
Another tried and tested flooring material is tile. Stone and tile flooring work very well for pets of all ages, but they are not recommended for active kids and pets at home. These floor options do not only offer a classic and stylish look, but they are also water- and scratch-resistant. In fact, these are top picks if you are searching for the best scratch-resistant and waterproof options for your pets and kids. For the best scratch-resistant options, you can talk to any Baltimore county Maryland flooring company to give you samples and suggestions.
In addition to resistance to moisture and scratches, stone and tile flooring are relatively easy to maintain and clean. Just don’t forget about grouts as they can be an issue if left untreated. The downside of tile and stone flooring is that it can be uncomfortable for your kids and pets. These flooring materials are hard and cold underfoot. Laying or standing on the surface for a long time is potentially painful. That is why you need a soft area rug or dog bed anywhere inside your house, so your pets can lie down.
Option 3: Laminate Flooring
While it often copies the look of solid hardwood or tile, laminate flooring is another great option for families with kids and pets. It is one of the most cost-effective choices available in the market and relatively easy to install. Laminate flooring is pet and kid-friendly because it has resistance to scratches and water. Scratches from your pet’s claws won’t show easily on your laminate flooring. This flooring material is also comfortable to walk on, so your pets can lay down on the surface without feeling any pain. Plus, it is a perfect flooring choice for children with allergies as dust, hair or pollen won’t penetrate on its surface.
While laminate flooring is scratch-resistant, it may not be recommended for families with active pets or furry friends with longer claws as they can leave marks on the floor easily. It can also become slippery, especially when exposed to moisture for a long time. However, if you really want to install laminate flooring, you may consider buying a finish with some texture to provide good traction. Also, asking help from a Baltimore county Maryland flooring company for recommendations is worth a try.
Option 4: Engineered Wood Flooring
Solid hardwood floors of any type are not ideal for homes with pets. However, if you still prefer the look and feel of genuine hardwood, choose engineered wood flooring. This floor covering does not only give your home a natural, elegant appeal, but it also increases the resale value of your property. Amongst wood alternatives, engineered wood looks exactly the same as solid hardwood. But what makes it a pet and kid-friendly flooring option is its durability. It has a scratch and water-resistant finish on it, although any Baltimore county Maryland flooring company will recommend choosing a thicker veneer engineered wood. With a thicker veneer layer, your kids and pets won’t easily scratch the surface through the finish. This also allows you to sand the wood down to maintain its look.
While it has a veneer layer on it to prevent any scratches or moisture, engineered wood flooring is not as scratch- or water-resistant as compared to other flooring options. When exposed to water for a long time, it can expand and contract, affecting its strength and durability.
Option 5: Cork Flooring
Cork is not only an attractive, sustainable flooring option but has microbial resistance too. This means that when your pet has an accident on the surface, cork flooring is less likely to develop mold, bacterial growth, or any allergens. Thus, it is recommended for children with allergies. Another advantage of cork flooring is that it absorbs sounds. This is helpful if you prefer less noise on the floor when your pets or young kids are playing around.
Cork flooring is also one of the softest floor options, making it an ideal choice for toddlers and infants. It has low-maintenance requirements, so it won’t be difficult for you to clean it. While cork flooring is scratch-resistant, it is not as resistant as compared to stone and tile flooring.
Option 6: Bamboo Flooring
Another hardwood alternative, bamboo flooring is exceptionally durable and very sustainable. It is so easy to clean, making it less hassle if your pets drag inside your home from the outside. Bamboo flooring is resistant to stain and scratches, so you don’t need to watch your pets running across the floor. Another benefit of bamboo flooring is that it won’t easily damage from water or food spills and pet accidents. Not to mention that is an eco-friendly flooring option for your home. However, just be careful in choosing the type of bamboo flooring. Not all bamboo flooring is durable and of good quality. It is better to speak to a Baltimore county Maryland flooring company, so you can discuss what options you will have.
Option 7: Carpet Flooring
The carpet is soft, warm, and comfortable for young kids and pets. The cushioning properties of carpet flooring provide comfort underfoot, and insulation both in sounds and temperature. This makes it a great choice for running pets and kids at home. Carpet flooring has a high friction coefficient that cushions your kids’ footsteps, preventing them from slips or fall accidents. Maintenance is not labor-intensive as you just need to regularly mop or sweep it. If your kids spill liquids on it, make sure to wipe it up quickly to prevent stains. You may also opt for waterproof carpet flooring if you really prefer a soft and warm floor covering. Simply ask a Baltimore county Maryland flooring company for design options and samples.
While carpet flooring is a perennial favorite in many homes, it also has disadvantages. Carpet can harbor allergens and dust, so it is not ideal for a family with kids suffering from allergies or asthma. If you have pets at home, you may expect that frequent vacuuming is needed to remove any fur, dust, or dirt. When stains and smells are left untreated, it is difficult to remove, so it may resort you to hiring a professional carpet cleaner.
Option 8: Concrete Flooring
If you’re looking for a flooring material that won’t easily replace due to the wear and tear of pets and young kids, then concrete flooring is a great choice. Though not the most visually appealing type of flooring, concrete is one of the most durable options, especially in high foot traffic areas. It can stand the test of time and is built to last for decades. Plus, it can resist all kinds of scratches and so easy to clean when your pet has an accident.
Concrete flooring, on the other hand, can easily absorb moisture or water when it is not properly sealed. As a result, you can expect mold or mildew formation on the floor. Also, this flooring material is hard and cold underfoot, causing inconvenience to your kids and pets. To mitigate this, you may need to place a rug or carpet on top of it.
Option 9: Rubber Flooring
One of the most interesting floor materials today, rubber flooring is a pet and kid-friendly option because it has resistance to water and scratches. It has a built-in cushion that is comfortable underfoot. Not to mention that it is so easy to clean.
The biggest drawback of rubber flooring is that most home buyers and real estate professionals disregard its value. This flooring option may not give you a good selling point in case you plan to market your home for sale in the future. Hence, it does not contribute to increasing the resale value of your home.
Discuss Your Options with a Baltimore County Maryland Flooring Company Today
Choosing the right flooring material may seem to be daunting and challenging but realize that you need not choose a single material for your entire home. You can choose laminate flooring for your kitchen, rubber flooring on your kid’s playroom, or a nice plush carpet in the living room. This way, your kids and furry friends can still feel comfortable and safe anywhere inside your home. Also, keep in mind that no flooring material is 100% pet-proof. The material that is right for you still depends on your personal style and taste.
Now, if you are ready to move your next flooring project into construction, don’t hesitate to connect with us. Carpet Ready is a Baltimore county Maryland flooring company that installs top of the line hardwood, luxury vinyl, carpet flooring, and more. If you want to get a wide variety of options and exceptional services, feel free to schedule a free in-home consultation today!