So you’re thinking about redoing your flooring. Now, how do you decide what the best option is for your family? If you have children and pets, you know the challenge of keeping up with a busy schedule involving work, school, dinners, and events. The last thing on your mind is maintaining your floors. So how can you choose the best flooring to protect and preserve while you focus on raising your family?Some of the top considerations when deciding on new flooring for a family and pet-friendly household include:
Durability
Comfort
Maintenance levels
Scratch-resistance
Stain/water-resistance
Style
Keeping these in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular family and pet friendly flooring options.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors are always a top aesthetic choice. The problem with hardwood floors in homes with young children and pets is that they are prone to scratches. However, they can be refinished once the children/pets are older. It’s important to know that the harder the wood, the more resistant it is to scratches and stains, and the lighter-color woods also show scratches less.
Laminate
Laminate floors are a great choice for families with children, as they are easy to clean and maintain, and give a very similar look to hardwood with a smaller price tag. The only issue is that laminate flooring is very slippery, so if your animals like to run around and play, they might struggle on laminate.
Cork
Cork flooring has seen a recent rise in popularity due to its sustainability. It is also a naturally occurring antimicrobial, meaning it reduces allergens and mold growth. This makes it an ideal choice for families with young children and pets, as it can create a safe and healthy environment. However, if exposed to heavy amounts of sunlight, the color will fade, so for rooms with a lot of natural sunlight, be sure to choose a lighter color.
Bamboo
Bamboo is another top choice for family homes with pets. It is naturally durable and more scratch and stain resistant than hardwood. However bamboo absorbs water so it is not ideal for basements or rooms with high humidity levels.If you have any questions about keeping your flooring kid and pet proof, give Naffco a call at (813) 254-4066, or stop into one of our 3 locations in the greater Tampa Bay area.
