Our homes are our sanctuaries. They’re places where we can indulge in a long bubble bath or read a good book, hang with friends or family, or even curl up in the quiet.
But what makes a home truly ours is the presence of pets and kids. They can turn our serenity into chaos and make our hearts overflow with love.
Now the question is, how do we accommodate the fur and footprints while still enjoying the best of home comforts? One way is to choose the right flooring options!
Keep reading to learn more about the best flooring for dogs and kids. Let’s dive in!
Story Stages
1. Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl flooring is a great choice for homeowners with pets and children who like to play inside. This non slip flooring and scratch-resistant material doesn’t absorb odors or moisture.
In addition, it offers four types of products that can stand up to pets and kids alike. These floorings are made from:
Vinyl Composite Core
VCC is a resilient and durable flooring that stands up well to active kids and pets. Also, this waterproof flooring is combined with:
- an underlayment
- provides excellent noise
- impact insulation
Also, it is easily installed and doesn’t require any adhesives, and is great for areas with high foot traffic or larger spills. Additionally, it is easy to clean, maintain, and won’t require hollow boards or underlayment replacement.
Finally, it has a variety of styles to choose from and offers texture options allowing for a more customized look.
Luxury Vinyl Planks
LVPs are unique and stylish flooring that stands up to the wear and tear associated with having both kids and dogs in your home. Not only are the planks incredibly durable, but they are also comfortable and water-resistant.
This is the reason why it’s ideal for any area of your home. They also come in different colors and materials, making it possible to customize them to fit the motif of any room.
Not to mention the ease of installation, with no need for glue or adhesive, making them even more desirable. With LVPs, you can take your home décor to the next level while still keeping it protected from messes and scratches caused by kids and pets.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
LVT is an engineered flooring product that is designed to be extremely durable and often comes with a protective wear layer. This nonslip flooring is scratch-resistant and stylish, making it the best choice for busy areas like kitchens and living rooms.
Ultimately, it is available in many colors and textures, giving you the flexibility to create an extraordinary look in any room.
Luxury Sheet Vinyl
Luxury sheet vinyl has a modern look with easy maintenance which is perfect for protecting your home from dirt, stains, and scratches. This highly durable product offers different styles, colors, and patterns that will add a contemporary touch to any home.
Not only that! It can also be installed with a selection of textures, which adds to its versatility for any lifestyle. With enhanced dimensional stability, LVS flooring is more resistant to moisture, creating a safer environment for the entire family.
Lastly, luxury sheet vinyl has a low-maintenance finish and can resist UV light and fading.
Cost of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
The cost of this pet-proof flooring is also relatively low compared to other flooring materials. The average price for a luxury vinyl flooring project ranges from around $2 to $7 per square foot.
However, this can vary depending on quality, manufacturer, and installation for a variety of looks and textures. But it’s still one of the safest flooring and most affordable option out there.
2. Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is durable and reliable in nature, which makes it such a desirable flooring for those busy households. This type of wood is made of several layers of plywood that are bonded together and topped with a hardwood veneer.
In addition, the dense top layer creates a finish that is resistant to water, scratching, and denting from pets or kids. It can also be refinished if needed and is available in many colors and finishes.
Additionally, engineered hardwood adds value and beauty to a room and will always look like new. It is also easy to install and relatively low maintenance.
Advantages
This type of flooring is composed of a high-density fiberboard core. It is topped with an image layer that replicates the look of more expensive hardwood floors.
Unlike solid hardwood, it can withstand humidity and is much less likely to warp or buckle when exposed to moisture. The top layer can also be refinished, ensuring your floors stay looking their best over time.
Lastly, it has better sound insulation than traditional wood floors, and the cost is lower than that of solid hardwood floors.
Disadvantages
Engineered hardwood is an appealing flooring option, as it provides the look of real hardwood flooring. Unfortunately, despite its popularity, there are some drawbacks that you need to take into account, such as:
- it can scratch and dent easily
- easily absorbs dust, dirt, and liquids
- too soft to handle jumping and running
Moreover, the glue which holds the planks together can wear down over time, and the planks can even come apart. This will leave the flooring vulnerable to further damage.
Also, this flooring material is limited in terms of finishes, stain colors, and texture options. All of these drawbacks make engineered hardwood less than ideal for families with dogs and children.
Costs of Engineered Hardwood
The cost of engineered hardwood is usually more expensive than other flooring options, but it’s worth the long-term investment. Its average cost is about $8 to $12 per square foot, and the installation can run an additional $3 to $15 per square foot.
While installation costs can be high, the benefits of having baby-friendly flooring make it worth the investment.
3. A Classic Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is durable enough to be scratch resistant for pets, and it’s easy to clean for messes from kids. It’s not the cheapest option, but it will last a long time, and it is environmentally friendly.
It is also moisture resistant, so liquid spills won’t seep into the joints and borings. Additionally, it’s hypoallergenic, so pet and human allergens don’t stick to the bamboo planks.
The warm, light colors look great in any room. Plus, the slats can be used in a variety of patterns to create a unique look. In addition, the attractive, natural-looking grain of this flooring can be stained or painted in many colors to fit any interior design.
Plus, it’s also environmentally friendly, making this an attractive option for conscientious pet owners.
Pros
Bamboo flooring is eco-friendly and easy to maintain. In addition, it is durable and can withstand heavy traffic. Its natural matte finish and unique structural properties make it scratch and stain resistant.
As it is not extremely hard, it is unlikely to chip easily, making it a family-friendly option. Additionally, it is also less susceptible to water damage than other types of wood flooring.
This makes it an excellent choice for households where the occasional accident might occur. The main pro of bamboo flooring is its renewable source. As it is grass and not a tree, it can be replenished easily and quickly.
Furthermore, the hardness of the bamboo means that it can stand to wear and tear very well when compared to other hardwood floors.
Cons
Bamboo flooring may not be suitable for families with both dogs and kids. Despite its durability, one of the main cons of this type of flooring is that it is relatively soft and porous.
These two qualities can make it prone to scratches and absorb spills, which can be a hazard for both dogs and kids. Also, they are vulnerable to moisture since it is an organic material, and this can lead to warping and swelling.
Despite its resistance to stains, standing liquid of any kind on the floor can discolor it. Because of that, it would not be a good choice for a family with children and pets that can track in dirt and mud from outside.
How Much Does a Bamboo Flooring Cost?
The cost of bamboo flooring will vary depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the product. Generally, it ranges from around $4 to $9 per square foot, with installation costs ranging from $3.50 to $6 per square foot.
Additionally, it can be installed relatively quickly and renovations can often be completed in as little as a couple of days. It is also biodegradable, meaning it is safe for the environment.
With regular cleaning and occasional refinishing, bamboo flooring can last many years and maintain its beauty even in high-traffic areas.
4. Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile comes in a variety of colors, providing endless design possibilities. To further decrease messes, it is a great choice for kitchen and bathroom floors since it won’t absorb liquids and spills and can easily be wiped away.
Another great feature of ceramic tile is that you can choose different patterns or textures to mix it up a bit. It can also be installed over an existing surface if you’re looking to save money.
However, it may be prone to scratches or cracks if it isn’t installed correctly, so it’s important to hire a professional to ensure it’s done correctly. With a little maintenance, it can last for many years and survive everyday depreciation.
Top Benefits
Ceramic tile has many advantages for use in a home. First, its durability is hard to beat. Additionally, this waterproof flooring is non-porous and easy to clean, making it ideal for areas prone to spills and tracked-in dirt.
It can also maintain its good looks, even in high-traffic areas. These tiles won’t significantly increase the noise level of the home, meaning footsteps from those active little feet won’t be heard bouncing off the walls like they would with a harder flooring option.
Finally, it is perfect for pet owners and families, providing the strength and performance needed for everyday active households.
Drawbacks
One of the disadvantages of ceramic tile is that it can be quite cold and hard on bare feet, especially during the winter months. It is also quite slippery and can be dangerous for young children to play on, which could lead to injuries.
Additionally, it is also both brittle and porous and can crack or scratch quite easily, which can be problematic if you have energetic dogs or children running around. Lastly, it is not the most soundproof option and can be noisy when dogs are running around playing.
All in all, ceramic tile does offer some advantages that make it appealing, but it may not be the best choice for areas where there are dogs and children present.
Different Types of Ceramic Tiles
There are five primary types of ceramic tile, each with its own unique look and performance characteristics. Glazed tiles are resistant to staining and are easy to clean.
Porcelain tiles are the toughest choice and are well-suited for areas with heavy traffic. On the other hand, quarry tiles are an excellent option for outdoor use as they are:
- slip-resistant
- durable
- fade-resistant
In addition, natural stones look beautiful and are perfect for creating a truly luxurious look in the home. Finally, there are mosaic tiles, which are perfect for adding a unique personal touch to any room.
No matter which you choose, ceramic tiles will provide a long-lasting beautiful floor for your family to enjoy.
Cost of Ceramic Tiles Installation
Installation of ceramic tiles isn’t as expensive as many people think. They are generally between $3 to $10 per square foot. This cost usually includes:
- the tile
- the labor
- mortar
- grout
- sealant
For a more cost-effective option, you can also try tiling over an existing floor if it’s in good shape and can handle the materials chosen.
A Homeowner’s Guide to the Best Flooring for Dogs and Kids
When selecting pet proof flooring, buyers should consider factors like slip resistance, installation ease, and budget-friendliness. Whether you choose carpet, laminate, vinyl, or hardwood, you can make sure your home is both kid and pet friendly.
Start your search today and find the best flooring for dogs and kids to keep your family safe and comfortable.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our blog now!
