You have a lot of choices when it comes to new flooring, but not all of them are cheap or durable.
Tile
You’ve heard of tiling before, and it’s a wonderful option, but it’s not always cheap. Pet owners love this material because it doesn’t scratch easily. Your pet can pounce, run, jump, and scratch all he or she wants. If they have an accident, no problem (other than the actual cleaning it up part).
The downside is that these floors are hard and rather cold, so it’s not exactly something you would want to lay down on and play or snuggle with Fido. Of course, the way around this problem is to put down an area rug, but that reintroduces the problem of a carpeted surface. Keeping the floor warm is also solvable by installing radiant heat under the tile.
This is something you might want a professional to handle. When you install radiant heat, there are special considerations to laying down other materials on top of the tubing and you don’t want to damage anything. Also, tiles can shift if they’re not installed properly, which can cause a lot of headaches later on.
Bamboo
You might not think of bamboo as a first choice, but it’s one of the best options for pet owners. Bamboo flooring is the hardest of hardwoods and it will stand up to traffic better than other flooring options. The material itself simply doesn’t wear out. It’s completely renewable, and it makes a good choice if you’re going to be in the home for a long period of time.
It’s stain resistant, so you won’t have worry about your pet having an accident on the floor, and it tends to be cheaper than other hard woods – saving you money on the installation.
Cork
Believe it or not, cork is an excellent flooring option – just look for excellent testimonials like these before you buy it. It’s a “green” choice if you’re concerned about that sort of thing, and it’s also antimicrobial. So, it naturally reduces the growth of mold and other allergens.
The material is also scratch resistant and provides good sound absorption – good for pets with claws or nails that “click” when they walk.
One downside to this material is that it needs to be swept on a regular basis to prevent scratching from particles of dirt left on the floor. That could end up being a never-ending battle if you have an indoor-outdoor pet.
But, if your pet stays indoors all the time, this shouldn’t be much of a concern.
Another downside is that it’s a natural material, so any spills should be cleaned up right away. Discolouration of the floor will happen over time if it’s exposed to sunlight. So, it’s not a good option for sunny rooms. But, it’s a great cheap alternative to tile and hardwood flooring.
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