There are plenty of considerations to consider when choosing the right type of flooring for your home. What’s your budget? What style are you looking for? What flooring materials are your preference? However, when you have pets inside the house, the range of suitable flooring may be somewhat limited.
Vinyl plank vs laminate flooring with pets
Do you have a dog constantly racing around, up and down stairs, hallways, and circling rooms? Your flooring needs to be slightly more durable to hold up under its claws.
Is your pet particularly young or old and at risk of a potential accident inside? Or they are overly energetic and may be prone to knocking over drinks or their water bowl. Consider more water-resistant flooring that is easy to clean.
Have you got a pet that frequently sheds fur? Your flooring choice will have a significant impact on how long this takes to clean up.
In this blog, we compare vinyl plank and laminate flooring to help you decide which is more suitable for your home and pets.
In terms of aesthetics, both vinyl plank and laminate flooring are available in various colors and styles to suit a variety of interiors. Both materials can be designed to mimic natural wooden flooring, but also other natural materials like stone and ceramic. No matter your home’s interior, both materials have options to complement your existing design and decor seamlessly.
Is laminate flooring good for dogs?
Laminate is a cost-effective flooring material, usually composed of four layers. The bottom layer acts as a moisture barrier, and the uppermost wear layer protects the design of the boards.
Laminate is long-lasting due to its protective wear layer, which can resist abrasion and prevent scratches, dents, and stains. Laminate is a popular choice for dog owners who may be concerned about their pet’s claws causing damage to the flooring. Laminate flooring is typically resistant to stains, making it less likely to absorb odors or discoloration from pet accidents. However, cleaning up spills and accidents promptly after an occurrence is essential to prevent potential damage.
The wear layer protects the planks from immediate water damage, but laminate has relatively poor water resistance, and the boards can swell, warp, crack, and lift if water is allowed to seep into the seams between the boards. Small spills on laminate flooring aren’t a significant concern when they are handled quickly and correctly. Larger spills or liquids left to soak into the planks can cause further problems.
Laminate flooring tends to have a smooth and even surface, making it comfortable for pets to walk, lie down, or play on. Unlike some carpeted surfaces, laminate doesn’t trap allergens and can be a good option for pets with allergies.
In general, cleaning laminate is easy. Most spills and messes can be quickly wiped away, and pet hair is easily swept or vacuumed.
What laminate flooring is best for dogs?
The properties of laminate make it a solid flooring choice for pet owners. Still, with a range of manufacturers and styles on the market, it’s essential to look further into the types of laminate to ensure suitability for both you and your pet’s needs.
It’s essential to check the specific product’s specifications, as not all laminates are equally moisture-resistant. Water-resistant and waterproof plastic laminate options are available, so if opting for laminate flooring, consider these variants to protect from potential liquid exposure.
Another consideration when choosing laminate flooring is its level of slip resistance. Laminate can be somewhat slippery underfoot, so looking into non-slip laminate flooring for dogs is advisable. This can help prevent the dog from sliding into people, furniture, or walls, reducing the risk of your dog getting injured and damaging your home’s interior.
Is vinyl plank flooring good for dogs?
Vinyl plank flooring comes at a range of price points but tends to be relatively inexpensive on average. Vinyl planks have a similar layer composition to laminate, making the material long-lasting and durable, ideal for homes with pets. The uppermost wear layer has a natural resistance to moisture, staining, and scratching.
Vinyl planks can also withstand small spills, with many products being water-resistant or even waterproof. This is assuming that spills are cleaned up quickly, but longer exposure to liquids can damage the adhesive of the planks. This does make vinyl planks more waterproof than laminate since long exposure to water doesn’t damage the planks themselves, just the installation method. Vinyl plank flooring is also resistant to stains.
Vinyl planks are very easy to clean with a process similar to laminate, meaning that most spills, accidents, and pet hair can be quickly wiped away or vacuumed, contributing to a hygienic environment for both pets and their owners.
Vinyl plank flooring tends to have a softer and warmer feel than other hard flooring options, including laminate. This can be more comfortable for pets when they frequently lie down or play on the floor.
A large benefit of vinyl planks for many pet owners is the level of noise reduction. Vinyl is relatively soft underfoot, so if a pet is playing upstairs in the home or if you have downstairs neighbors, a lot of the sound of their feet and toys on the ground will be absorbed. This can be particularly beneficial for homes with active pets or multi-pet households.
What vinyl plank flooring is best for dogs?
Vinyl plank is a widespread choice for pet owners since it’s inexpensive, durable, and suitable for every application in the home, from kitchens and bathrooms to bedrooms and living areas.
Vinyl plank flooring is inherently anti-slip, so there’s little concern about pets sliding around and causing damage or injury. If the flooring is to get wet, there is a higher risk of slips, so be quick to clear up any spills.
Although there are many variations of vinyl plank flooring, most (if not all) are well-suited for homes with pets. This leaves homeowners with a much wider choice of design, type, and style when selecting the best vinyl plank for their home.
To ensure the longevity of your flooring, as well as the ease of maintenance and safety of your pet, it’s essential to consider the correct type of flooring for your pet’s needs. It’s always advised to have any flooring safely installed by a professional, which can help further its lifespan.