The 3 Best Flooring Options When Owning A Pet

Having pets at home and maintaining a spotless floor are no longer opposites. Luckily, we have fantastic non-toxic, and pet-friendly options that will stay in top condition regardless of accidents or potential scratches that may occur.

The key to making a good choice is to know the properties that some materials offer and the characteristics they need to have to be pet-friendly. 

We have the best wood alternative for your floors compatible with your furry loved ones, tropical hardwoods. They are the most resistant, long-lasting, and strongest material on the market for any project you have in mind. No indoor flooring or outdoor decking will get damaged by any pet due to their remarkable characteristics. 

Tropical Hardwoods come from the rainforest of the Americas, where they are exposed to harsh weather conditions due to their natural environment. This also makes them withstand any climate or other threats that surround them.

Their origin has made them the most challenging and durable woods in the world. Their density and natural oils make them impenetrable to almost everything. They also do not splinter or scratch easily and have a high coefficient of friction for safe use.

Tropical Hardwoods are also resistant to insect damage, rot, mold, and water. In addition, they are non-toxic, strong, low-maintenance, and durable materials.

Here at Brazilian Lumber, we have the best tropical hardwood species on the market, with Ipe and Cumaru at the top of the list. These species are premium samples with the greatest quality, composition, and characteristics. We also have Garapa, Jatoba, and Tigerwood, which are extraordinary choices primarily for decking. 

If you have a pet, choosing the proper material is an important step, but not the only thing to consider. Here are some excellent recommendations you should take into account before purchasing the material for your new floor.

• Choose a hardwood species

When it comes to decking, hardwoods are the clear choice for those with pets. Hardwoods are ideal for decking for pet owners because they are much more resistant to scratches than softwoods. This is especially important for households with dogs, as their nails can easily damage softwoods. In addition to being more durable, hardwoods are also all-natural and chemical-free. This means that they will not off-gas or release harmful chemicals into the air, making them a safer choice for both people and pets. 

• Prefer wood with a light to medium color

This is just an aesthetic and practical recommendation. The darker the floor, the fewer imperfections will be visible, in case there are any. Also, if the hardwood is exposed to the sun, it will turn a silver color which is beautiful, cooler, and ideal for low maintenance or upkeep. 

• Cover pet high-traffic wood areas with lovely rugs

You can also put some mats under the water containers to protect wood surfaces. Yes, we know tropical hardwoods are durable and resistant to moisture – but it will always be best if you take care of your structures properly at all times!

• Sharp pet’s nails can damage wood surfaces

This is more of an issue when you have a dog rather than a cat, but in any case, it is best to keep your pet’s nails trimmed to avoid superficial scratches. 

• When choosing a wood, consider its Janka hardness score

The Janka hardness scale measures the strength of wood species. A technical explanation of its definition and importance can be that the scale rations the force required to push a steel ball into a piece of wood. This score gives you an idea of how resistant wood surfaces are to scratches, dents, and wear.

• Consider High-Density of wood flooring before you buy it

The durability of hardwoods is unparalleled, but as with all wood species, it’s important to be mindful of how your pet’s claws can damage floor surfaces.

To avoid this problem, we suggest you always choose a hardwood species with a greater janka score. They all have a high-density rating, making them the most durable wood materials.  

Based on these general recommendations, here is a list of the 3 best flooring options when having a pet. 

1. Best Flooring Options When Owning A Pet: Hardwoods 

Ipe:

Ipe is the best hardwood in the world. It provides the highest standards of quality, durability, strength, and longevity and is our top choice for decking when owning a pet or used for flooring. Ipe, also known as Brazilian Walnut, has a Janka hardness of 3,510 lbf and is resistant to water, rot, and mildew.

And these are just to name a few of Ipe’s exceptional properties and incredible characteristics that make it the best alternative for any project you have in mind. As previously mentioned, other hardwood species such as Cumaru, Garapa, Jatoba, or Tigerwood are also great choices.  

Oak:

Red oak is the most valuable species of all oaks. It is a heavy and strong hardwood used for interiors such as flooring, furniture, boxes, and veneers. The color is light to medium brown, with a reddish tone that gives it its name (as opposed to White Oak).  

The wood grain is straight with an uneven, coarse texture. Red Oak is easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It is important to note that due to the tannin acid in Red Oak, it can stain when combined with iron, particularly if wet.

Oak’s easy availability and hardness earn it a spot on our list of the best wood floors for dogs. 

There are two most common choices regarding oak: red or white. Red oak has a warmer color and has pink, red, or rusty hues. On the other hand, white oak has a cooler, greenish-gray undertone and appears softer and more uniform.

Although both have the same properties, we recommend always going for a dark-colored floor when owning a pet. 

Santos Mahogany:

Santos Mahogany is a durable, water-resistant hardwood that is golden brown to dark red. It has a medium fine texture and possesses a natural luster. The advantage of using this tropical hardwood is that it is often chosen for interior flooring. The hardwood species we mentioned above are commonly used for exteriors.

Maple:

Maple is one of the most well-known wood species, especially because of its widespread use in flooring. As a hardwood, it is often used in high-foot traffic areas such as bowling alleys or dance floors. It is a dense and durable wood with a straight grain and fine, even texture, which is easy to turn.

Maple is the preferred material for basketball courts, so you can imagine how strong and durable this hardwood can be. If it can withstand ten prominent athletes, the claws of dogs or cats are not much of a threat to handle.

2. Best Flooring Options When Owning A Pet: Waterproof Luxury Vinyl

Hardwoods are our preferred choice, but they are mainly used for decking rather than flooring. Some species already mentioned can also be used as indoor flooring. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option that is still a great choice for pets, consider Vinyl floors. 

Luxury Vinyl flooring is a good choice for flooring for pets as it will be able to withstand scratches and dents from accidents – as well as bathroom mishaps or even just general wear-and-tear caused by walking around all day long!

That is why we consider it important to provide an alternative other than wood suitable for a house with a furry member. For example, Ferretti, which is the best example of waterproof luxury vinyl, is an excellent choice for indoor surfaces. Vinyl is a highly durable material that lasts about 20 years. It has a wear layer on its surface, which makes it scratch & stain-resistant.

The Ferretti H2O flooring collection is made from a unique formula of Stone & Plastic Composite (SPC). This particular composition is the evolution of wood floors made of stone, polymers, and wood that go through an innovative process to make an eco-friendly product. 

Our floors have different layers that create a strong, durable, 100% water-resistant, and versatile material built to last for many years. In addition, they are a pet-friendly option, free of toxins, and resistant to bathroom accidents caused by our pets. 

Ferretti’s H20 Flooring Collection comes from a special pressing mixture of calcium carbonate, acetates, polypropylene resin, fiberglass, and wood fiber. Here is an explanation of the benefits you get with each layer. 

1. Calcium carbonate: Improves its fireproof property and increases its resistance and hardness. 
2. Polypropylene resin: Gives it the quality of unique composite flooring, different from regular PVC. 
3. EPDM acoustic barrier: This layer acts as a blanket that deforms, so it is friendlier to the imperfections of the carpet, which also produces some leveling. This improves its flexibility and gives it a natural look.
4. Vinyl: The top coat is the uppermost layer of a piece of vinyl flooring, providing the typical shine of vinyl and serving to defend the wear layer from damage.

3. Best Flooring Options When Owning A Pet: Composite Decking

More durability, low maintenance, better workability, and greater resistance to the elements are some benefits of choosing composite for your flooring.  We recommend choosing lighter colors and spraying down the deck with water in the peak sun hours, so your pet’s paws don’t get too hot.

Composite decking is the fastest-growing alternative to wood decking on the market. Its major advantage is that it has a core and cover that makes it resistant to moisture, weathering, and fading. In addition, this material is free from the pesticides and other harmful chemicals commonly used in creating and maintaining wood decking, making it pet-friendly as well. 

We are authorized distributors from plenty of composite options such as Trex, Timbertch, Norx, Zuri, Azek, Endeck, MoistureShield, For Us Plastic Wood, and Fiberon. They all offer superior durability, extraordinary resistance to external factors, and hard surfaces suitable for furry friends. 

In conclusion, although hardwoods are our preferred choice, they are not the only flooring alternative when owning a pet. Keep in mind the recommendations we have mentioned before purchasing, check out the other options we also offer, and buy what works best for you. 

Wondering what the best part is? You can find all these fantastic flooring options with us. We have top tropical hardwoods, we are authorized distributors of the best composite brands, and we just started with our new indoor flooring collection. In addition, we offer premium artificial turf that is pet-friendly and a wonderful green accent to give your spaces the best finish.