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Category: Other

The Best Flooring For Furry Family Members

Posted on by torlys

Dogs are our beloved, and often energetic, fur babies. They run to the door to greet us. They run to the door to go out. They run to the door to go for a walk. And all this running can cause unrepairable damage to flooring, if your floor is not suitable for pets. Below, we’ve rated the most popular flooring choices on their pet-friendliness so you can make the right decision for your pet-friendly home.

Hardwood

Hardwood is one of the most beautiful and popular flooring choices on the market today. However, it’s not the best choice if you have pets. “Accidents” can stain wood and soak into the planks, even if you clean them up quickly. If you have a TORLYS hardwood floor, you can replace stained sections with the TORLYS patented Bulldog™ Tool. If it’s not TORLYS hardwood, you may have to strip, sand and refinish your floors, however, stains may reappear because salt crystals found in pet urine tend to seep deeply into the floor.

Spills from water bowls and sharp nails can also ruin hardwood even if your flooring is coated with a high quality urethane. In fact, pets can actually do more damage to hardwood than children. Pets are just too hard on hardwood.

Rating: 2 paws

Laminate

Laminate is more durable than hardwood, making it a much better choice for pets. It won’t show scratches, stands up to house training and is easy to clean. Plus, laminate flooring is now trendier than ever thanks to advances in engineering and design. Premium laminate looks just as good as hardwood, and outperforms it.

Laminate does have some downfalls though. Pets, especially dogs may slip and slide on its surface. Embossed or textured laminate may help prevent accidents. You can also put down non-slip rugs for everyone’s comfort.

Rating: 4 paws

Cork

Surprisingly, cork is a good choice for pets. Cork’s antimicrobial properties reduce the growth of mold and other allergens. Low-allergen flooring will also help family members with pet allergies.

Cork is moisture resistant, when treated properly with layers of durable finish. Accidents and other spills wipe up easily and won’t leave a stain or an odor when cleaned up quickly. It is also scratch resistant, comfortable and quiet—Fido’s pawsteps will not be as loud on a cork floor.

Rating: 4 paws

Tile

Tile is a good choice for pets, in terms of wear and tear. It is tough and won’t scratch easily. Urine will not damage its integrity or seep into it. However, all the qualities that make tile ideal—durability and imperviousness—make it uncomfortable for pets and their people. Tile is extremely hard and often cold. Rugs can help, but make sure they are non-slip to prevent falls.

Rating: 3 paws

Vinyl

Luxury vinyl flooring is an excellent solution for home owners who love pets and sophistication. Coming in a wide range of styles and hues, luxury vinyl is scratch and stain resistant as well as easy to clean and maintain.

Like cork, vinyl is also low-allergen and quiet to walk on. It’s also considerably more comfortable than stone or tile. Pet friendly, kid friendly and fashion forward, vinyl is purrrfect.

Rating: 5 paws

Carpet

Some experts claim that carpet is the worst flooring choice for pets for two reasons. First, it’s easily damaged. Nails and rough paws can destroy fibres, especially if the carpet is looped or berber. Second, it’s harder to clean than other type of flooring. Accidents soak in easily and quickly. Dust and dander will embed into it.

Carpet does have some benefits though. It’s soft and comfortable. It also absorbs sounds, muffling the pitter-patter of little paws and feet.

Rating: 1 paw

When it comes to choosing the best floor for your pet friendly home, take your time and consider a more expensive option. Higher priced flooring is more durable, and in the long run, the best bet for your pet. You may need to replace a lesser quality floor, or the wrong type of flooring, after a year or even a few months.

Don’t Get Floored: Questions You Need To Ask Your Dealer BEFORE You Buy

Posted on by torlys

Before purchasing your dream floor, it is important to ask your Dealer a few important questions. Check off your list using these tips from TORLYS.

Price

The first question you probably have is “How much?” It’s obviously an important question, but it’s not the only cost query you should have for your flooring dealer. Sometimes there are hidden costs for in-home measurements or estimates. Some dealers charge for the removal of old flooring. If you have furniture in the room where the new floor is going, you should ask if there is a cost for moving it if you cannot do it yourself. Finally, if you’re interested, enquire about any upgrades the dealer may offer.

Preparation

You should ask if you have to do anything to prepare for the installation of your new floor. As mentioned previously, furniture may be an issue. Some dealers will move it for you, others will not. A conversation about the condition of your subflooring is also a good idea. Do you need to upgrade or clean it before the new floor is installed? Doors are another consideration. Do they have to be removed during installation? What happens if they don’t open and close properly after the new floor is installed? Whose responsibility is it to shave or re-hang them?

Installation

Most new owners can’t wait for their floor to be installed, so one of the more pressing questions you will have is “When can you install it?” However, you should also enquire about who is doing the installation. Ask your dealer if they install the floor themselves or hire third-party contractors. Are they licensed? Bonded? Insured? Finally, do they have any references or testimonials you can read?

You also need to ask about the installation process itself. What does it entail and how long does it typically take? Will installation be relatively simple, like with snap-and-click plank technology, or will it be messy and incorporate glue and nails? Finally, if you want to do-it-yourself, ask if it’s a plausible option.

Warranty

There is a difference between the warranty dealers offer on installation and the warranty flooring companies offer on their product. You should be clear on who is responsible for what in case there are issues. Reputable companies will offer comprehensive warranties on all of their flooring options. For example, TORLYS offers a lifetime “No gapping” warranty on all of their floors when 30-60% humidity is maintained as well as a trade-in value guarantee.

Asking the right questions about a floor ensures that you’re buying the right floor for your home. It’s also a good idea to make a list of all the possible questions you want to ask before you visit a dealer. Happy floor shopping!

TORLYS