The Best Flooring Materials When You Have Kids and Pets

Feb 8

While some Des Moines homeowners love the look of carpets, others find that carpet is dangerous to have around. This is especially true if you have kids and pets. Kids can easily cause stains when they stomp through the house or have snacks and drinks outside of the kitchen. Your pets are just as dangerous because of the accidents they can have. Learn the best types of flooring and all of the available options that work well for homes with pets and kids.

Laminate

Changing your flooring allows you to add value to your home and change the look of a room. If you have your heart set on hardwood floors but worry about their cost or durability, consider laminate. Some of the benefits of laminate floors include:

You can choose colors and designs that look like hardwood.
Laminate floors usually cost less than wood floors.
Many pets find the floors comfy enough to nap on.
You can easily care for scratches.

Vinyl

You might remember when vinyl flooring came in huge sheets that contractors cut down before they installed them. Vinyl flooring today looks quite different. It's now available in tiles that you can apply to the floor as well as planks that look similar to hardwood floors. Not only is vinyl flooring an affordable option, but many designs are resistant to scratches and water damage. You don't need to worry about all the havoc those animals and kids can on your floors.

Tile

Tile is another great option for homes with kids and pets. Before you call a contractor in the Des Moines area like Home Remedy to install tile floors, keep in mind that some types are better than others. Look for waterproof tile that is also scratch resistant to avoid damage caused by your family.

Consider some of the issues with tile floors, too. Some find that they aren't very comfortable and that tile floors make them feel fatigued when they stand or walk on them. You may also have a hard time keeping the grout clean.

Hardwood

Instead of looking for alternatives to hardwood when it's time to replace your floors, consider choosing this material. One of the nice things about wood floors is that they come in so many colors. A darker color will hide some of the damage that your pets' claws do as they run across the floor.

Hardwood also gets high marks because of how long it lasts. With proper care, your floors will last for decades or longer. Though they do require a little more work to clean, they look great in bedrooms and other shared rooms. If you seal the wood, it becomes resistant to water damage.

Any of these floors will look amazing in your Des Moines home. They stand up well to your children and pets, too!

Get even more tips on finding and choosing the right floors for your home when you check out TheHomeMag on Facebook.