Flooring and our Furry Friends

The water resistant quality of hybrid flooring and ease of maintenance is the perfect flooring for you and your furry friends- not to mention the beautiful styles available. So what is hybrid flooring? It uses the latest technology to combine all the benefits of vinyl and laminate materials. Worry less about scratches and mess with hybrid flooring!

This is a great option for the pet lovers out there! Pets find the material comfortable and easy to walk on. It’s relatively scratch resistant and a breeze to clean and maintain. There are so many tasteful and varied designs now too from timber vinyl styles to concrete and stone-look versions.

This option for flooring in a home with pets has pros and cons, just like all designs, although there are a few considerations here which should be made. It can be a little bit slippery for some animals to walk on which is not so fun for your pets. Laminate flooring is incredibly resilient too, as well as easy to clean, maintain and some have water resistant characteristics. For tips and more information, you can read our Laminate Guide.

Pets love carpet, but is it a good option? It can be, however, it is best if the pile is shorter and not a loop pile. Our furry friends can get their claws easily stuck in loop pile designs which will not look so great with time. Carpet tiles are a great option. If a small area is soiled or damaged by your pet (or yourself!), you can change just one section simply and economically rather than the whole room of regular carpet.

Floor rugs are also a good option to include in some high traffic areas, particularly if they are not expensive designs and easily replaceable. Again, choose a low pile, non-loop style for longevity. Sisal and natural weaves are also a good idea as they’re hardy and resistant. Washable and outdoor rugs are particularly practical for all the reasons you can imagine! Our pet-friendly rug collection will have you inspired, regardless of your interior design preferences.

• Choose flooring which is a similar colour to your pet’s fur (or the other way around!). While this may sound silly, consider a darker floor with a white malting dog or cat as opposed to a dark animal with dark flooring- it will hide much of the mess.
• Animal treats are best left to be eaten outside. Bones and hard treats are delicious but can be damaging to the floor.
• Scratching posts are a good option for cats to direct their scratching desires away from your floor and furniture and towards a toy.
• Vacuum and clean regularly. Pet hair does contain an odour which will hang around a lot longer with minimal cleaning. Some vacuum cleaners are better than others. When you’re purchasing, ask the experts which they recommend for homes with pets.
• Frequent cleaning of your pet too will help enormously. Brushing will reduce hair inside and clipping of nails will lessen any floor scratches.
• Keep the food and water somewhere convenient for regular cleaning. Often your pet’s water and food will not stay in the bowl or mouth!

The Flooring Xtra Hard Flooring and Pets Guide and Carpet and Pet Guide are a wealth of information!

How to clean laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is an easy-to-care-for product but like all flooring, requires some maintenance to ensure it looks good for longer. Regular vacuuming or sweeping to remove dirt and grit will minimise any scratches and wear. Encourage a shoe-free home and keep pet claws and paws neat. Don’t use harsh chemicals when mopping your floor and if there are spills, tend to them as quickly as possible.

How to lay vinyl flooring

Flooring installation is best left to the professionals! They know what they are doing and are incredibly knowledgable. They have all the right tools, they can problem solve, drawing on years of experience and get things done promptly. Each Flooring Xtra store has its own professional installers so you can relax while the experts get the job done!

What are the benefits of hybrid flooring?

There are many benefits of hybrid flooring that make it a great flooring choice. It looks fantastic, with many authentic timber-look styles available. It’s also durable, easy to clean and some products can be installed in wet areas.

In some states of Australia, the building regulations for Vinyl Planks, Vinyl Tiles and Hybrid flooring varies. Meaning they may not be suitable for areas requiring water resistance, such as bathrooms and toilets. We advise to always ask your local Flooring Xtra store for the correct advice regarding the local regulations. We also advise to follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation instructions and guidelines, not following the instructions could make the product not fit for purpose, for the area it’s being installed into and void your product warranty. To ensure you get the appropriate product for those areas, please contact your local Flooring Xtra store.