With so many flooring options available today, our guide looks at what’s available to pet owners, with a particular focus on one type – vinyl flooring.
It can be challenging to choose the right flooring for your home; should you go for carpet, linoleum, laminate or vinyl? And is there any flooring that is better for your pets, or that you should avoid with pets in the home? At Floors for Paws, we specialise in vinyl flooring that is pet and pet-owner friendly.
What is vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is a 100% synthetic flooring material, made from polyvinyl chloride plastic, or PVC. PVC is heated and pressed into thin layers with the uppermost, surface layer giving the vinyl flooring its final aesthetic. It can be made to imitate the look of wood, ceramic and stone and can even be textured. The surface layer is coated for scuff, scratch and stain resistance, and adds a water resistant protection. The backing of the vinyl flooring is felt or foam. Flooring options are vinyl flooring rolls which are purchased and installed like carpet, vinyl tile flooring and vinyl plank flooring which is supplied in plank shapes to allow the creation of patterns that can mimic traditional wooden floors such as a herringbone design.
Is vinyl flooring the same as lino?
Many of us would have had grandparents who had a lino (linoleum) floor at home and while many people use the term lino when referring to vinyl flooring, they are two very different things. Linoleum is manufactured from a mixture of renewable natural materials which can include wood pulp, crushed cork, linseed oil, tree resin and jute. Lino is far less water resistant then vinyl and requires an annual protective coating and waxing.
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is a multi-layer product which is fused together with a lamination process. Its core is made from HDF (high density fibreboard) which makes it highly susceptible to water and moisture damage.
What is carpet?
Carpet is a floor covering made from textile which has a backing attached to an upper layer of pile. 90% of carpets manufactured today have an upper pile of synthetic fibres, with just 10% being natural fibres, most commonly wool. Carpet can be chewed and damaged by scratching, and it will stain easily.
The benefits of vinyl flooring
Durability – vinyl flooring is highly durable and with the correct installation, can last more than 20 years.
Scratch and stain resistant – the surface layer that is applied to vinyl flooring gives protection against scuffs and scratches, and staining.
Water resistant – vinyl flooring is waterproof thanks to its PVC composition. Where there are multiple seams involved with vinyl plank flooring and vinyl tiles, correct installation will render this just as water resistant as vinyl flooring rolls. Vinyl flooring is therefore ideal for high-moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Easy to clean – extremely low maintenance, vinyl flooring requires nothing more than a sweep and a damp mop with an approved cleaning product.
Is vinyl flooring pet friendly?
Not only is vinyl flooring from Floors for Paws pet-owner friendly and pet-proof, it is also pet friendly. Our Luxury Vinyl range is perfect for any room in the home and has a double wear layer of 0.6mm enabling us to guarantee it against your dog’s claws. It is waterproof, hypo-allergenic, does not need harsh chemicals to clean it, and is free of nasty phthalates making it safe for your dog.
To discuss pet friendly vinyl flooring for your next project, call us on 01937 830948 and email us at info@floorsforpaws.com
