If you’re in the 44% of American households that owns a dog, you might be looking for a floor than can stand up to your pup. Should you go with the safe bet of a durable laminate, or take a gamble on a beautiful hardwood that’s more vulnerable to stains and scratches?
What if you could have the best of both worlds? With a vinyl floor, you can! Not only does vinyl look and feel more realistic than laminate, but it’s also practical for dog owners. Here’s why vinyl is the best Fido friendly floor for your home.
#1 Accident Resistant
One of the biggest advantages of vinyl floors for dog owners is that they’re waterproof. Luxury vinyl planks are constructed using a waterproof core, which prevents swelling if liquid gets between or underneath the planks. Some brands, like COREtec Plus, even have an attached cork backing that naturally resists mold and mildew. The wear layer of vinyl floors is also specially designed to resist stains.
While hardwood can stain or retain odors from pet vomit or urine if it seeps between the planks, this isn’t a concern with vinyl. There’s also no need to worry about swelling, which is an issue that can occur in laminate floors if an accident isn’t discovered and wiped up right away. The waterproof and stain resistant qualities of vinyl allow for complete peace of mind when it comes to pet accidents, and cleaning up is a breeze!
#2 Scratch Resistant
In addition to resisting stains and accidents, vinyl floors can also stand up to wear and tear from your dog’s claws. Vinyl is an extremely durable material, so much so that it has become popular for commercial use in high-traffic buildings like restaurants, shops, and offices. Hardwood, on the other hand, is far more prone to scratches. If you have a large dog or a younger dog with lots of energy that likes to romp and run, they can do so to their heart’s content on a vinyl floor without causing damage.
#3 Quiet
Another great advantage of vinyl floors is that they’re quieter compared to their laminate counterparts. Laminate floors are notorious for their hard, unforgiving wear layers that create an amplified, hollow clicking sound when pets and their people walk across them. On the other hand, the material of vinyl is a little softer, which provides a feel closer to hardwood without compromising on durability. This also greatly reduces the clicking sound of your pets nails when they walk across the floor, creating a quieter and more relaxing environment!
#4 Comfortable for Fido
Finally, perhaps one of the best benefits of a vinyl floor is that not only is it a wonderful choice for you in terms of durability and care, but it’s also a wonderful choice for your dog’s comfort. While you might be considering a laminate floor as a comparable flooring option, you should keep in mind that the same wear layer that gives laminate floors their durability also makes them very slick. This offers no traction for your dog’s claws, causing them to slip and slide. In older dogs, especially, this can pose a risk of injury.
The slightly softer material of vinyl, however, allows your dog to gain traction when walking or playing, which creates a safer and more comfortable environment. Some styles of vinyl even have textured surfaces that mimic the distressed or wirebrushed surfaces found in hardwood floors, providing even more traction.
Vinyl Flooring Costs
So how much will a vinyl floor cost you? Vinyl floors are very affordable compared to hardwood, and you can expect to spend around $2-$5 per square foot.
Because they’re designed to be installed directly onto the wood subfloor, you won’t need to purchase an underlayment, and some brands already have a foam or cork backing attached. If you plan on installing vinyl over concrete, however, you will need a moisture barrier.
Additionally, most vinyl floors are designed for click lock or loose lay installation so you likely won’t need to purchase adhesive. Vinyl floors are also very easy to install unlike hardwood, which takes a trained professional, so you might consider installing your floor yourself for more potential savings.
Are you ready to start searching for a dog friendly vinyl floor for your home? Browse these top brands below, or give us a call at 888-633-6506 with any questions!
