Preparing you floor for Floors for Paws

To ensure you have a lifetime of hassle free flooring it is essential to have your sub-floor prepared in the correct manner. If you have a perfectly smooth and dry sub-floor you can simply adhere Floors For Paws directly onto it. Unfortunately this is rarely the case, so we would like to look at the best solutions.

Latex sub-floor
This option is a quick and trusted process to ensure your FFP is fitted onto a suitable base. It is used on existing concrete floors that need to be smooth and levelled. Quick drying options such as the Stopgap 300 is ready to walk on in 2 hours and to work on in 4. This solution is also ideal for going over existing tile floors (who wants to take out all the tiles and build up again!) The photo below shows a kitchen diner before and after being latexed. As you can see the grout lines show through while it is drying but as long as 3-4mm is applied onto the tiles the surface will dry completely smooth.


1. Tiled floor


2. Two hours post latex


3. Floors for Paws Greenwood flooring

SP101 Ply board – Flooring Grade
Ply board should be used over existing wood flooring, or when you need to bring up the level of the floor by over 4mm. In the case below the carpet that was removed was 10mm and therefore too deep to apply a latex without the need for Grano chippings. This depth of latex would take two months to dry! The 9mm ply board is cut into place and secured with mechanical fixings at regular intervals to ensure no movement. The ply board is then ready for FFP to be adhered directly onto it. We recommend a minimum of a 6mm ply board base.


4. Build up with 9mm ply


5. Floors for Paws Wychwood flooring

If you are not a DIY nut; don’t worry because our recommended installers can carry out the preparation and installation for you.

Here our superb installation engineer John carries out fitting of 130 sqm of Greenwood to Rigsby Wold Holiday cottages new accommodation. For more details on this Dog friendly holiday please visit Rigsby Wold Holiday Cottages.

Call us today to discuss any aspect of your project on 01937 830948.

The Best Flooring for Puppies

The Best flooring for a new puppy

We all know the excitement of bringing home your new puppy; those doleful eyes that make you want wrap your puppy in cotton wool and never let it leave your sight -The proof that love at first sight is real and the kids say ‘you’re the best parents in the world!’

Success; everyone is in love and happy. Now for the practical……

Short of taking your puppy into the garden at 15 minute intervals your puppy is going to pee (and worse) on your carpet at some point. (Crate training can be a good way to avoid this, but personally I find making a puppy sleep near their own mess is a little mean)

So as you clean your carpet for the seventh time in two days you start to think; ‘I need a new floor – ceramic will be good. Its wipe clean – problem solved.’ Unfortunately your little puppy will be like Bambi on ice on smooth flooring, and your vets bills will far out weigh the cost the new floor.

Laminate? Prone to scratching, and moisture underneath the top covering

Stone? Urine can soak into the stone

Wood? Scratches and stains

So What is the best flooring for puppies???

Floors For Paws is stain proof, waterproof, Anti-slip and Anti-scratch. Wherever your dog goes: go Floors For Paws. The world’s best flooring for dogs & dog owners.

The Challenges of Dogs and your Flooring; Part One

If you are reading this, you are more than likely a dog lover! We are too. To us they are the greatest animals on earth. Only dogs have evolved alongside man for the last 15,000 years. We become more and more educated on what behaviours drive dogs and as such we understand the needs they have when living in our homes.
What is the main driving factor of dogs?

Self-preservation & Play:

They love to play. One of the main characteristics of all healthy dog is the drive to play. Inherent from the evolution of the Grey wolf packs have utilised play to prepare themselves for survival and confrontation. Although domesticated dogs do not face the same challenges as wild dogs it is a trait that will not be disappearing anytime soon.

As part of your pack dogs will expect us to play with them. But even when we don’t they will entertain themselves; chasing after a ball, having a mad rush around the living room, and trying to dig through to Australia!

Dog Claws:

This can be very detrimental to your flooring, in the form of claw marks. Flooring such as wood, laminate, rubber and carpet will be damaged or gain unsightly scratches from dogs claws and cause expensive restoration or replacement. Your beautiful floor can become tired looking very quickly

Solution to dogs & Flooring:

Floors For Paws is The World’s best flooring for Dogs & Dog owners. We understand the challenges our beloved companions provide, and as such have found the solution. Our 0.6mm wear layer is twice the industry standard for vinyl flooring, and is capable of resisting the scratches and scuffs that are inevitable from dog claws.

Click here to view our range and order your free samples today.

What is the best flooring for dogs?

The best flooring for dogs UK

Wood flooring:

Wood flooring has a warmth and texture that make it a popular choice for home owners. It can last decades (if hardwood) and is hypo-allergenic. It is also easier to keep clean than carpet. The disadvantage of wood flooring when you have pets is that it can be scratched by dog claws, and stained by spillages. Pet urine which can lead to a process of sanding and re-sanding which can become expensive to maintain. It can also be slippery underfoot for you and your dogs.

Carpet:

Carpet is the most popular choice for home owners. We love the feel of soft carpet under our feet, and carpet has the highest warmth retention of all floor coverings. Unfortunately for dog owners it can become worn relatively quickly by dogs. It can trap allergens in the fibres which may cause allergic reactions to home owners and in some cases your dogs.

Ceramic Tile:

Often touted as a good pet friendly flooring the ceramic tile is easy to clean and maintain, hardwearing and long lasting. Very popular in Kitchen installations due to its water resistant nature. It has long been a popular choice with dog owners. The one thing to consider with ceramic tile is the lack of slip-resistance for you and your dog especially when wet. Over the last few years research into dog injuries have found slippery floors to be one of the main causes of arthritis in dogs. Damage from an early age caused by slipping can lead to decreased mobility in later life for dogs.

Laminate:

Once celebrated as the solution to pet owners needs for easy clean, low maintenance flooring this product thrived due to its low price and numerous designs. Still used today it is a popular choice for those who need a cost effective flooring solution. The negatives of the floor type is that it is prone to staining. Any harsh chemical used to remove these can bleach the colour – and leaks. This obviously has repercussions for dog owners who will have dog urine and water spillages from dog bowls on their floor. It is also very low on the slip-resistant rating.

Rubber Flooring:

Rubber is a warm, comfortable solution for homes. Available in many colours and sustainably sourced. It has good slip properties, but is prone to scratching. It can be difficult and expensive to lay correctly. It is popular for dog kennels and dog training areas where aesthetics are not a priority. Some higher density rubber flooring is popular in homes, however dog owners may find the scratches to be prohibitive to specification.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring:

LVT has rocketed in popularity in the last few years due to the improved 3d printing technique which allows the floor to take on the look of wood, stone, and ceramic. It is also waterproof, stain-resistant, long lasting, and hardwearing.

Floors For Paws LVT:

Officially: The world’s best flooring for dogs.Floors for paws has all the attributes of the LVT along with a double wear layer to negate scratching from dog claws, dropped items (those heavy dog bones!) and day to day wear and tear of busy households. It enables us to offer an extremely long domestic guarantee. Due to the ridged design it is also better than other LVT’s in terms of slip ratings (85 PTV BS7976). Giving better grip than others on the market. The 0.6mm wear layer is also stain resistant, so any dog urine, wine spills, and worse will not damage the flooring. It can be wiped clean without leaving a mark. As dog lovers we also wanted dogs to benefit from our company. We donate 10% of every sale to Dogs Trust.

Please visit our products and order your free samples.

The Benefits of Anti-slip Flooring for your Dog

I have spent my whole life working with animals, as my uncle was a farmer and I grew up with no other destiny as my love for animals was so strong. Its funny, I never realised how much thought needs to be put into flooring until I became a veterinary nurse. This issue has only become more highlighted as I became an animal physiotherapist.

Flooring was always been second nature for me. Even on farms, we paid a lot of attention to the floor and bedding to ensure it was good for the animals foot care. It had to be shock absorbing, non-slip and not allow the animals to get wet hooves, paws or claws. It doesn’t matter what animal it is, we need to think about the same basic principles.

When I became a nurse I did some home visits and became more aware that many people lived differently and had different types of home and décor. When I became an animal physiotherapist I became more aware than ever before, that there were other type of flooring out there were less than ideal. Some of the questions I have to raise with owners is, what type of flooring do you have? A common answer was laminate or tiles. As time has moved forward more and more people are opting for hard floors for the understandable convenience and cleanliness. Lots of the flooring has become more varied aesthetically, but many hard options remain shiny and hard and cold.

We are all very house proud these days and with it becoming more expensive to move house and buy homes, people are choosing to invest in making their own home perfect. This is wonderful! I would like to ask that in choosing perfection, please remember to think about the comfort of our animals in those homes too. It’s actually not even just for the animals. As we age, we will also see great benefit in choosing a floor that suits these needs too.

An ideal floor will have good grip. If we lose our balance we need to be able to rely on our feet and not slip more. Rather like tyres on the road. A little forgiving slide is OK as it allows you to slow to a stop without damage, but skidding is a real worry, especially for the older pet or human. Laminate and high gloss floor tiles don’t allow enough grip and so can make our pets feel unsafe. Some dogs even get to the point where they refuse to walk on these types of floor, and I have seen this countless times. In many cases the dog may alter their gait and walk looking very strange as they over use too many muscles to try to be extra careful on the floor High gloss and laminate also make it virtually impossible for some animals to get up from laying on as they can’t get the traction needed.

An ideal floor is an easy to clean one! I understand this completely, so it can be easier to have a hard floor rather than carpet. Vinyl makes a great compromise as it is easy to clean and has excellent grip. After all, we can’t carpet every room, its just not hygienic or practical.

An ideal floor is not too hard or cold. That might sound ironic when talking about hard floors, but if you fall on a tile or stone floor it is less forgiving than a fall on a less solid surface. The temperature is also something to consider. The circulation in paws and feet is poor compared to the rest of the body, so they get cold so walking on a cold surface is not kind, especially for arthritic toes. Many of our pets will also choose to lay in the room we are in and if they are laying on a very cold stone or tile surface then their muscles can become very stiff. They can also get sores on their bony prominences, like their elbows, from where the circulation is so poor as they have laid with the pressure on the skin for too long on a hard surface.

I too, like many others, am going through a home renovation. I was over the moon when I found Floors for Paws on my hunt for suitable flooring. I am a big fan of vinyl for the grip, temperature, and ease of cleaning. A big feature of Floors For Paws is the extra scratch resistant layer, and I definitely think this is a big bonus to stop claw marks. I have an old arthritic dog and a young 3 legged dog. Both love to follow me into my kitchen and my bathroom! Both will benefit, and most importantly, over my life I will have many dogs and they will all benefit regardless of age. I also know my whole family and myself, will also benefit. Thank you Floors for Paws!

Donna Wills PGC A Phys, RVN, MIAAT.

Member of RAMP

Member of the British Veterinary Nursing Association

M. 07776 182 911
W. www.animalphysiotherapy.org.uk


What is Pet Friendly Flooring? UK

Well, that depends who’s asking; humans or dogs!

In the past we have regarded ‘pet friendly’ as a floors system that is easy to clean and maintain in an environment with pets. Smooth hard floors are excellent at keeping out ingrained dirt, however they are not the best solution for all of us in the family. What we have sometimes not considered is what our beloved dogs require;

Slippery floors are a significant contributor to chronic pain and arthritis in dogs, due to injury from slips. For dogs with existing arthritis it is essential that flooring issues are addressed.

Most dogs in the UK live in their owner’s home, and may spend up to 90% of their life in that environment. If there are steps that they repeatedly struggle up and down, floors they repeatedly slip on, or solid cold beds they repeatedly sleep on, their condition will not improve as they will continue to injure themselves.

Your dog’s lack of ability to correct and therefore protect themselves when they slip or have to negotiate difficult paths will leave them prone to further trauma.

A slippery floor, be it wooden, laminate, or tile is very hazardous for an arthritic dog that already has weak & painful limbs. Repeated slips, no matter how small, will progress the clinical signs of arthritis.

So when choosing your next Floor system please take into account the slip-resistance of your choice;

Floors for Paws has a BS 7976 pendulum slip-test result of 85 PTV.

Best flooring for pets

Why is your Floor so important to Dogs?

If your head was a foot away from the floor at all times you’d be pretty interested in it too!

As you know Dogs rely on scents to navigate, to rest and to play. As we understand the needs of our greatest companions more and more we realise that we can help them by providing them with a clean, safe environment.

Flooring is a huge part of that environment; While they love to find unsavoury elements hidden deep in our carpets we know that this is not healthy for them. Allergens that can become stored in soft furnishings such as rugs, carpets and curtains can cause them symptoms that include regular ear infections, sneezing, itching and skin inflammation.

Another element to consider is slippery floors such as polished ceramic, laminate and smooth tiles. This type of flooring has kept Animal physios busy for the last 15 years. Strains, concussion, sprains and ligament damage are common injuries for dogs slipping on floors.

Then there is the little accidents; Although our beloved woofers amaze us with what they will actually put into their mouth when out on walks, just like us they do not like the scent of ones and twos in their home. Carpeting and rugs can retain the nastiness in their fibres and linger to the chagrin of humans and dogs.

‘Hey; that’s a lot about our Dogs; What about us?’

Well said; What do we want? Personally I want a safe flooring for my dogs, but your damn sure I want it to be easy to maintain and I don’t want my dog to ruin it! Mrs FFP and
I have had wooden flooring in the past which we love the look of, however it became stained, scratched and scuffed very quickly thanks to our Dogs. As you know; not cheap to replace!
So hopefully something to bear in mind for dog owners when choosing your next floor covering.

M

Floors For Paws Luxury planks are Hypo-allergenic, wipe clean, non-absorbent and Anti-slip, and Anti-scuff, and with its realistic wood effect finish it really is the World’s Best flooring For Dogs’

Is Vinyl Click good for homes with pets?

The introduction of vinyl click flooring has offered a convenient, cheap and easy to install flooring options for home owners. A good quality click flooring system can last years in a dry, cool environment. But is it good for pet owners?

While click flooring can resist some spills it is not 100% water tight like a glue down system, which means that those little Pet accidents that happen from time to time can seep underneath the flooring and start to rot the underside and leave an unsavoury smell.

High humidity and spills may cause the click system to warp over time creating trip hazards for you and your pets.

Floors For Paws glue down system is the ideal choice for homes with pets; once down your flooring will be waterproof as no liquid can get underneath to cause any problems. It is worth the extra effort to have your flooring permanently fixed as it will last years longer than a click alternative, saving you valuable money over a life time.

Order your free samples of Floors For Paws today for a future of hassle free, low maintenance flooring you and your pets!

Is Vinyl Flooring Pet Friendly?

Most luxury vinyl is water resistant and some varieties are even waterproof. It is easy to maintain, and easy to clean. Plus, it is soft underfoot. … So, if you are looking for a budget-friendly flooring that you and your pets will enjoy, luxury vinyl is an excellent choice.

Vinyl flooring is a popular flooring option for families with pets. Luxury vinyl tile and vinyl sheet are highly durable, long-lasting, and resistant to moisture, scratches and dents. They are also easy to maintain.

This makes it the ideal flooring solution for spaces such as living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, vinyl plank flooring is very durable with commercial grade wear layers and fiberglass reinforcement. Vinyl can be installed on nearly any subfloor, with the thicker floors being forgiving to imperfect subfloors.

Top of the list for dogs and cats must surely be vinyl flooring. … New luxury vinyl sheet, tile or plank flooring is an even better option thanks to its added thickness. Installed properly vinyl will wear well, with no scratches or tears, and with its water resistant qualities is a cinch to clean.

Floors for paws has all the attributes of normal luxury vinyl plus the added advantage of an unique micro-ridged design that ensures safe footing for 2 and 4 legs. Designed with the whole family in mind it is the perfect option for your home.

How does LVT compare with Laminate?

LUXURY vinyl tiles (LVTs) and planks have sometimes been compared with laminate flooring. So what’s the difference?

Laminate flooring is considered to be easy to install, but moisture or high humidity can easily affect the product if not controlled. The key point is successful control of relative humidity. The core of a laminate has been described as acting like a sponge, absorbing moisture causing it to expand. If there is not enough expansion in a room, the floor will buckle, or the joints of the laminate will squeak as you walk across it.

The biggest issue is when water is repeatedly applied to the seams they swell and lift, causing one ugly looking floor and permanent damage.

LVT, on the other hand, is a heavy duty vinyl floor, produced in individual tiles or planks. Think of it as a laminate floor without the major issues that water and moisture cause.

LVT products are generally made of highly moisture resistant PVC or virgin vinyl. This results in a floor that is easy to maintain and clean, highly durable and easy to install. An LVT can be fully glued down, or installed with glue less self-locking edge just like a laminate.

Laminate flooring and LVT are similar in that both have cost and durability advantages over such other solid-surface flooring choices as hardwood, ceramic or stone. Both imitate natural surfaces like wood or stone – or other flooring types for that matter.

Both are easier to maintain than wood or tile. For example, hardwood or engineered-wood floors may need refinishing, and some tile types may need resealing or re-grouting. Both can allow for repair by replacement of a damaged plank or tile. Both have wear layers. LVT may have a clear-vinyl and urethane coating to protect it.

LVT and laminate flooring: The differences:
They’re made out of different materials. Laminate flooring is made of layers.

The primary layer (the core) is made of high-density fibreboard (HFD). This gives laminate flooring its rigidity and strength. LVT is made in layers as well; its primary component is PVC vinyl, which makes LVT dimensionally stable and flexible.

They install differently. Laminate flooring is a floating-floor system that should never be nailed or glued to the subfloor. Some LVT products now offer a floating-floor approach to installation.

LVT installs traditionally as a glue-down system by the application of a separate adhesive or the use of peel-and-stick tiles or planks. They feel different. Because laminate flooring is made primarily from wood, it feels like wood. LVT is made out of vinyl and it feels like plastic.

They handle stains and flame differently. Laminate flooring is highly stain-resistant and will not be damaged by limited flame exposure, like a hot ember tossed through a fireplace screen. Some LVT is very susceptible to staining and will be damaged by limited flame exposure.

Contract Flooring Journal