Pet-friendly floor options

Having a furry, four-legged friend around the house offers tons of advantages, from constant companionship to security and protection. Unfortunately, one part of the house that suffers from exposure to pets are your floors. However, it's not impossible for your clients to have nice floors that they can be proud of while still maintaining an environment where their pets can have their run of the place. Here are some clever wholesale flooring materials that will be comfortable for both homeowner and pet.

Pure hardwood floors, especially when dealing with a puppy, can be a problem. The numerous and frequent messes that come with potty training are not ideal for the proper maintenance of wood floors. Additionally, their claws will inevitably scratch up the surfaces. Instead, consider natural stone, which is not only durable and resilient towards the accidents of a dog, but also easy to clean. According to Houzz.com, it is important to keep in mind that certain porous materials, such as marble can stain. Consider an option such as Slate Loose Flagstone Natural Cleft, from Dal-Tile Corporation.

One great alternative to the animal advantages of natural stone is porcelain tile. Porcelain offers a clean and modern look that is easy to maintain. Try something like Symphony by Mannington and enjoy watching the pet slip and slide all over the floors, trying to gain traction on the slippery porcelain.

Laminate can be manufactured to provide the look of hardwood floors, without the difficult maintenance required. Perhaps its greatest selling point for animals is that it can be virtually indestructible, with its strong durability allowing your clients' pet to play as rough and recklessly as he or she wants. Peruvian Vue by Shaw Industries has a clean wood feel with none of the high-maintenance qualities.

Finally, a last option might be carpeting. The advantages of carpet are numerous, including its ability to retain heat and muffle loud noises on the floor. Your clients' pet will even love sleeping on its soft, comfortable surface. However, these regular naps throughout the day will result in extensive vacuuming for you and your family just to make sure the carpet remains presentable. It's also a fair bet that the claws of the dog or cat will rip up threats in the carpet or rug, forcing regular replacement.  Nevertheless, if your client is interested in the look and comfort of carpet, recommend Savoy Shag by Unique Carpets.