When you walk into your home, are you greeted by a furry family member? The animals that share your home aren’t just pets you feed and water each day, they are important parts of your family circle.
If you are upgrading or remodeling your flooring to include the durability and beauty of hardwood or planning to add a new furry addition to your family, then you want to pick a floor that is pet-friendly as well as attractive and long-lasting.
There are many hardwood floor species that with a bit of care are a perfect match for a pet.
What is One of the Best Options for Hardwood Flooring if You Have a Pet(s)?
If you have pets with nails, such as dogs and cats, one of your best options for hardwood flooring is oak. It can withstand the scrapes and scratches better than softer wood floors. Other hardwoods, such as hickory and maple, are also good options. The harder, the better. What you want to stay away from is the softer floors that might not handle your new puppy’s nails very well.
In What Ways do Pets Damage Wood Floors?
Claws or nails and teeth are the biggest contributors to damage on wood floors. In many homes, it’s not just a one-time occurrence that leaves a mark, but steady, everyday traffic of your pet’s nails on the hardwood that can lead to scratches.
High-traffic areas can also become dull and lose some of the beautiful glow that hardwood is famous for.
Some pets are famous for marking their territory, and this can be damaging to your hardwood floors if it isn’t cleaned up quickly. Urine can leave a stain as well as a bad odor if it isn’t discovered right away.
Are Dark or Light Stains Better for Pets?
What stain you want for your hardwood floor depends on your personal preference, but scratches and scrapes tend to show less in darker stains than in lighter ones, so dark is a solid choice for homes with pets.
What are Some Tips to Maintain and Protect Wood Floors from Pet Wear and Tear?
One of the most important aspects of protecting your floor is proper care of your pets. If you keep their nails trimmed, they have less ability to scratch your floor. So, proper floor care begins with proper pet care.
An easy tip for protecting your hardwood floor from pet wear and tear is to put multiple layers of finish or sealant on it. This gives your wood extra protection between pet claws and your gorgeous floors, which should last decades in your home with proper care.
Another way to protect your floor is to place runners or rugs in high-traffic areas. This works as a buffer and prevents scars from forming due to constant use.
If you have a furry family member who likes to mark their territory, cut off access to any place they’ve left sprayed or urinated on. Make sure they have clean litter boxes and ample time outside to do their business.
Use cleaners on your floor that pick up the smell without adding further damage to your flooring. You can always consult a flooring service for the best cleaning products and advice for proper maintenance.
How Can a Hardwood Flooring Service Help with Damaged Wood Floors?
If your pets do break through the finish and scratch up your floors, don’t worry. Your floors can be repaired through restoration or refinishing services. The results are amazing, your wood floors will look like newly installed floors.
A hardwood flooring service like Cameron the Sandman has years of experience and expertise and can advise you on what the best process is for repairing your floor. It may need to be sanded and refinished or possibly just a buffing will do.
No matter what the condition of your floors, a professional hardwood flooring service will know what to do and how to keep your wood floors looking great.
Hardwood floors are a perfect match for a household with pets, kids and families. Like any other flooring option, upkeep and maintenance is the key to getting the most out of your flooring, especially wood. Wood floors bring function, beauty and comfort to many homes and families for years.