Our beloved animals factor into many decisions we make in terms of decor, furniture, and even flooring, including the type of materials used to make sure that things are pet-friendly. If you want hardwoods in your home and also have pets, there are options for you to get the best of both worlds.
Hardwoods and Pets
When you own a pet, things around the home can look quite different than a home with no pets. Many homeowners have found that the existing hardwoods they have or the ones they’ve had put in may make certain aspects of pet ownership more difficult. It’s true that hardwoods are not exactly the most pet-friendly flooring option.
There are several reasons why, but one of the primary causes for concern about hardwoods as a pet owner is moisture. Since pets are sometimes going to have accidents or get sick in your home, the floor can be exposed to moisture. Hardwood floors are not waterproof, and too much moisture can soak into the wood or sink between the gaps in the boards. This means that if spots are not cleaned up immediately, odors, staining, and subfloor damage can all become concerns.
Still, hardwoods aren’t the most difficult flooring option to clean when there’s a spill or accident. Carpeting is much more of a challenge when it comes to pet accidents because of how urine and other fluids absorb into it immediately.
But moisture isn’t the only thing you might deal with from pets. Some pets (usually larger dogs) struggle with traction on hard flooring. However, there are many pet-friendly floors that are hard, so hardwood isn’t a dealbreaker for most pets. Instead, many homeowners might simply employ area rugs to give traction to pets where it’s most needed and keep their dogs’ nails trimmed to stop them from skittering on the flooring as much (and from scratching the floor).
For those with larger or older dogs, take them somewhere they can walk on hardwoods to make sure that traction isn’t too great of a concern for them before considering hardwood flooring installation.
The Best Hardwood Flooring Options for Pet-Friendly Homes
What is the most durable hardwood floor for pets? Not every hardwood species is the same; there are choices that are more water-resistant. Additionally, some types of hardwood are more durable and scratch-resistant, which means they can stand up to more foot traffic from our four-legged friends. Hardwood can absolutely be considered pet-friendly flooring if you work with a qualified contractor for installation. At Ozburn-Hessey, we have the flooring installation and refinishing experience to help you choose the varieties of hardwood that are most water- and scratch-resistant. Hickory, oak (specifically red oak), and maple are three of the most commonly used and more affordable hardwood flooring options that are known for being hard and durable.
Embrace a Beautiful Floor Despite Pets
Wood floors always look good, and having pets shouldn’t have to stop you from enjoying this residential enhancement. The key is finding the right type of hardwood flooring for your pets, along with the right contractor to install it. No matter what kind of flooring you decide on for your home and pets, Ozburn-Hessey can help you get it installed quickly and correctly. Ready to explore our pet-friendly hardwood options? Give us a call today for a free consultation and estimate on your flooring project.
