Some flooring products more pet-friendly than others

According to the 2013-2014 American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, 68 percent of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 82.5 million homes. In those 82.5 million homes, there are 83.3 million dogs and 95.6 million cats, plus our exotic pet family members.

Along with being a significant portion of our population, these pets are a very important part of our lives and homes. So when a client asks me what type of flooring they should get with their pets, it requires a bit more investigation into getting to know their pets and lifestyle.

There are many things you need to consider: durability, comfort, maintenance, safety and your tolerance for mishaps. Carpet is more comfortable for all and safer, but requires more maintenance. Hard surfaces require less maintenance, but can scratch and be slick, which can be dangerous depending on how your pet plays. There really is no perfect flooring when you have pets; everyone lives differently in their homes.

n Carpet: With carpet you have to consider its stain-resistance and durability qualities. Carpet is more comfortable and slip resistance, but if you have allergies or asthma you must vacuum frequently — really, no less than twice a week. The dust and pet dander will wreak havoc with your allergies or asthma as well as the longevity of your carpet.

You need to consider what the carpet is made of. Nylon and polyester are your best choices.

Nylon is durable, stain-resistant and affordable. Polyester is cheaper but considered less durable.

Somewhat new on the market are pet-friendly carpets. They’ve been designed to prevent pet stains from soaking through to your carpet padding as well as to reduce pet odors. No matter the carpet, upgrade to a moisture barrier pad.

Carpet style is also important. Steer away from any looped carpet which can pull their nails. Instead a cut pile is a better choice.

n Ceramic and porcelain tile: Ceramic and porcelain tiles are great for pets; they’re durable and stain resistant. But you do have to consider comfort and that they are slippery. Rugs and skid-proof runners do help, but sometimes also slip under the feet if going at a good pace. You don’t need a $2,500 veterinarian bill for knee surgery.

If you decided on tile, spend the extra for an epoxy grout or one that already has a sealant in it. There are many on the market so check with your installer for the best.

n Vinyl: A designer suggesting vinyl? We’re talking high-end luxury vinyl, not your grandma’s kitchen vinyl. It’s a super-heavy-duty vinyl product that is even designed to hold up in commercial applications.

The vinyl comes in sheets as well as planks or tiles. The planks and tiles are glued down individually and give the look of real wood or stone. This vinyl is an extremely hard surface and doesn’t scratch as easily and is good with accidents.

n Laminate: Giving the look of wood without the maintenance, laminate is very popular with pet owners. It’s scratch-resistant and good with accidents.

It’s not something I would use in any high moisture areas, say, under water bowls unless you place bowls on a waterproof mat. Any spill should be cleaned up quickly so it doesn’t get in between the seams and cause buckling. But laminate also can be as slick as tile depending upon the finish, so be careful.

Even though laminate is scratch resistant, it can scratch. Laminates have an abrasion class rating from 1 to 5: AC1 for lighter traffic, like a bedroom; AC2 for residential; AC3 for light commercial; AC4 for higher commercial traffic; and AC5 for heavier commercial areas.

n Hardwood: If a single scratch is going to send you into a tizzy, hardwood is not for you. It’s beautiful but even the hardest will scratch — it’s wood. Just as with laminate, you need to clean up spills and accidents as soon as possible.

If you really want hardwood floors you need to consider one of the harder species such as Brazilian cherry, mesquite or mahogany. Look for the Janka rating. Wood is put through a Janka hardness test that measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. The higher the number the harder the wood. I’d look for one more than 1400.

To give you an idea, maple is 1450 whereas Brazilian cherry is 2350. The number is normally on the back of the sample board. If not, have your sales person find out.

In case you’re wondering, it’s called a Janka test because the scale was invented in 1906 by Gabriel Janka, an Austrian wood researcher. It was then standardized in 1927 by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

You also have to consider the stain and finish. The darker the stain and glossier the finish, the more visible the scratches. Hand-scraped or distressed floors provide the best option for masking scratches, dents and scrapes so they blend in with the natural look of the wood.

No matter which way you go, there will always be accidents, shedding and playful running with pets. Everyone has different tolerance levels for maintenance and comfort. You have to determine yours.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by email to: GMJinteriors@gmail.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.