In our last blog we shared how harder wood species, lighter matte finishes, and distressed flooring are good options for pet owners who want hardwood floors (click here). As local flooring installers, we’ve helped many homeowners with pets find the right wood flooring and refinish their existing wood floors. If you’re considering wood floors, we have a few more tips that will help you love your hardwood flooring whether you have a large pup or a small furry critter of another species.
Keep Those Nails Trimmed
The leading cause of surface scratches are long nails, especially from larger dogs. When you keep the nails trimmed, there is less of a chance that they will dent or otherwise damage your hardwood flooring. Make sure the local flooring installers you speak with about refinishing your floors or installing new floors understand that you have pets as they may recommend an extra layer of finish to help prevent surface scratches.
Area Rugs Are Always a Good Idea
Even if you aren’t a pet owners, area rugs, especially at your entry doors and other high traffic areas, can reduce wear and tear on your floors. There are a few reasons. First, less walking on the floors reduces the chances of scratches and other damage. Second, pet’s paws tend to trap dirt. With all the beaches in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas, much of this dirt is sand, which scratches flooring. When your pet (and you) walk across a rug before stepping onto the flooring, much of the dirt is left on the carpet.
Consider Silicon Rubber Mats Under Pet Dishes & Litter Boxes
Because water can damage hardwood flooring, invest in a few silicon rubber mats. These mats will catch water under your pet’s dishes. They are also a good solution under litter boxes. Silicon rubber won’t harm the floor’s finish. Just be sure to follow your local flooring installers instructions about how long after installation you can set something like that on your floors.
Choose the Right Local Flooring Installers
There are many local flooring installers in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas. Not all are experienced in hardwood flooring installation. Even fewer are hardwood flooring refinishers. Make sure that the local flooring installers you choose have experience in wood floor installation and finishing in our area. Also, ask them about their experience refinishing and installing in homes with pets specifically.
Seer Flooring – Your Experienced Local Flooring Installers
With three offices from Palm Harbor to Sarasota, we’ve installed wood flooring, and many other types of flooring, throughout the area. We’ve helped homeowners choose the right wood species and finishes in homes with pets. Of course, we also refinish wood flooring. Call us today to learn more about our flooring options. Our estimates are always free – (727) 469-7963 or fill out our contact form to schedule your in-home consultation.