05/15/2020
Which Flooring is Best for Homes with Pets?
One of the most frequently asked questions by clients before and during our selections experience is about flooring. Read more about our selections experience by clicking here. Homeowners are especially curious about the pros and cons of each when they have furry members of the family that will be dashing from room to room on the floors of their brand new home.
While pets and personal preferences differ greatly, we’re addressing a few key differences to take into consideration when deciding on your flooring before you build your new home:
What is it made of?
Engineered Hardwood |
Luxury Vinyl Tile or Plank |
Laminate |
| Created to address weakness of natural wood like moisture and warping, the top layer of engineered flooring is made of solid wood. Has a high-quality plywood, fiberboard or unfinished hardwood base. Can be made with as much as 25% natural wood. | Mimics the look of hardwood floors, stone, granite or concrete but is 100% synthetic material. It has a photo printed on the top layer with a protective urethane coating. Core is solid vinyl. | It looks like real wood or stone, but it’s a synthetic wood flooring with a photo printed on the top layer with a laminate protective coat to protect from damage. Core is made from wood byproducts. Contains no natural wood. |
Neither vinyl nor laminate are made from natural wood like engineered hardwood but they do have the striking similar appearance of wood and are good pet friendly choices.
Is it waterproof?
Engineered Hardwood |
Luxury Vinyl Tile or Plank |
Laminate |
| No, but more resilient than solid hardwood. It won’t expand or contract in humid rooms and it can tolerate pooled water for short periods of time. | Yes, newer vinyl products are made of 100% polymer material and are referred to “resilient flooring” in the industry. Older vinyl products may have fabric or felt backing that is not waterproof. | No, but the top layer can tolerate pooled water for short periods of time. It is made from a softer material and will swell if it has water seeps to bottom layer. Not recommended to be installed in rooms that are humid and moist. |
At the end of the day, the ability of flooring to effectively stand up again moisture is based on the materials it is made out of and how quickly the water is cleaned up when spilled.
Is it durable?
Engineered Hardwood |
Luxury Vinyl Tile or Plank |
Laminate |
| Yes, but claws can cause scratches like on traditional hardwood. | Yes, it is not prone to scratching. However, it is softer than hardwoods and laminate so they can dent overtime—especially with heavy furniture. | Yes, resistant to scratches and dents but may chip at the corners with extensive wear. |
If you want better traction for your dog or cat, look for a product with a textured surface.
Can it be refinished?
Engineered Hardwood |
Luxury Vinyl Tile or Plank |
Laminate |
| Yes, most products allow a light refinish several times before it wears down to base plywood layers. | No, it is durable but overtime if it develops scratches or nicks entire planks or tiles must be removed or replaced. However, applying layers of urethane to reinforce the wear layer can extend product life. | No. It is durable but over time, laminate can delaminate and the flooring will need to be replaced. However, laminate repair kits can be purchased to fix scratches or chips. |
We’ll Help Find the Flooring to Fit Your Lifestyle
Each flooring option has its benefits just as each homeowner has their own unique home. Jim Kenny, owner of Hagood Homes, often advises clients during their pre-construction meeting to choose the color they like best since we offer such an array of quality materials of engineered hardwood, vinyl and laminate and each have exponentially improved in quality over the past few years and continue to constantly advance in the manufacturing techniques of each product.
Rest assured, we will help you choose the flooring that is right for you!
A Few Examples of Included Hardwood Flooring
A Few Examples of Included Vinyl Flooring
A Few Examples of Included Laminate Flooring
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