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The best flooring options for homes with pets

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Genesis WPC, Metroflor

By Janet Herlihy & Lauren Moore 

The flooring industry has proven its ability to develop products — both hard and soft — that can stand up to pets of all sorts, shapes and sizes. Here’s the latest from suppliers that deliver pet-friendly features and fashions for every family.

Anderson/Tuftex
• Anderson/Tuftex (A/T) has added to its line of pet-friendly broadloom styles with Sheer Purrfection. A stylized depiction of traditional folded-paper art, this layered geometric pattern makes an effortlessly purrfect impression. Mimicking the shaded recesses and crisp lines that give folded paper forms depth and definition, this pet-friendly, stain-resistant design makes use of different cut and loop effects to lend a modern edge to a reflection of a centuries-old practice. This pattern comes in 12 captivating tones.


Sheer Purrfection, A/T

COREtec
• “COREtec is the preferred waterproof brand, with customers and consumers alike, and promises 100 percent waterproof, petproof and kidproof performance across its vast portfolio of industry-leading products,” stated Maud Swalens, marketing manager of retail strategy for premium brands, Shaw Residential.


Advanced+9-in., COREtec

The Dixie Group
• The Dixie Group’s (TDG) PetProtect carpet offering includes more than 50 products from the Dixie Home and Masland divisions, made up of a broad selection of styles. “These styles are pet-friendly because they are made with Invista’s SuperiaSD fiber, a solution dyed nylon 66 fiber which is very stain resistant and can be thoroughly cleaned,” said T.M. Nuckols, president at The Dixie Group Residential. “These products carry a comprehensive pet stain warranty which is covered by Invista.”  


Grace, Masland
 
• In the hard surface category, TDG’s TRUCOR luxury vinyl offering is definitely pet friendly, stated Nuckols. “As of 2021, we have more than 200 SKUs in our TRUCOR line including SPC, WPC, loose lay and flexible vinyl. All are pet-friendly because they are waterproof, they resist scratches from our four-legged friends, and they clean up easily from any pet accidents,” he reported.


Pietra Nero, TRUCOR    

Engineered Floors, Dream Weaver 
• The PureColor fiber system is the industry leader when it comes to colorfastness and performance, said Mike Sanderson, vice president marketing, Engineered Floors (EF) and Dream Weaver. “All of our PureColor solution dyed polyester products have permanent stain and soil resistance that will stand up to any active family and household pet,” he explained, adding, “Our PureColor fiber technology even allows you to clean with bleach or other household cleaners.” 


DW Select Aberdeen, EF
 
• For pet-friendly hard surface products there is nothing tougher than EF’s engineered waterproof Ensignium LVT with Evertuff, stated Sanderson. “Our Evertuff coating is AC4 rated giving it the ability to stand up to even commercial grade applications with the look desired in residential spaces. Evertuff also provides a matte finish for a natural look. This finish along with the waterproof properties of SPC core floors make Ensignium a perfect choice for families and their pets,” he reported. 


Ensignium, EF 

Mohawk Flooring
• “Introduced more than 15 years ago, SmartStrand is still the softest, most durable and easiest to clean carpet on the planet,” shared Jamie Welborn, vice president of product management, soft surface at Mohawk. “SmartStrand includes Mohawk’s exclusive All Pet protection, the most comprehensive pet warranty in the industry, covering all pets, all accidents, all the time.”


SmartStrand Silk, Mohawk 

• “RevWood is wood without compromise,” stressed Seth Arnold, vice president of marketing, wood and laminate, Mohawk. “This flooring combines the beauty of hardwood with the toughness of laminate. RevWood features premium hardwood realism with incredible durability that resists fading and includes maximum scratch protection,” Arnold explained, adding RevWood is backed by Mohawk’s All Pet protection and warranty. 


RevWood, Crest Haven  

Phenix Flooring
• “At Phenix, Mannington’s residential carpet division, all offerings are crafted out of 100 percent solution dyed fiber, which is the best suited option for homes with four-legged family members,” said Jason Surratt, vice president, residential carpet business at Mannington Mills. The brand new FloorEver collection by Phenix focuses on delivering the consumer durable carpet that can withstand the demands of active households. The performance attributes of this collection are enhanced with Microban, which protects the floor 24/7 against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.


FloorEver, Phenix

Shaw Floors
• For soft surfaces, Shaw’s Bellera is, ‘paws down,’ the best flooring for dogs, according to Julie Beth Fisher, senior marketing manager, Shaw Floors. All styles in the collection are specifically designed for pets and pet parents and feature Shaw’s high-performance fiber, R2X stain and soil treatment and LifeGuard spill-proof backing, Fisher explained. 


Bellera, Shaw 

• For hard surface, Shaw’s new Floorté Elite Series offers Prodigy and Prodigy MXL — both are 100 percent waterproof and feature Enhanced Natural Realism technology for hardwood visuals. This innovation captures high and low gloss levels in the same plank. Prodigy MXL boasts multi-length, extra-long boards up to 86 inches long. Both styles promise ‘elite pet protection’ and are backed by a 15-year residential scratch warranty.


Floorté Elite, Shaw

Stanton Carpet
• Stanton’s new Decorative Waterproof Flooring, a luxury vinyl plank brand, marries fashion to performance features, allowing consumers to make the mess and worry less. The Stanton Shield protection, a 22-mil stain and scratch resistant wearlayer, ensures that floors will look beautiful for years to come. 

• Stanton Decorative Waterproof Flooring also provides a 100 percent waterproof construction and promises easy clean-ups for all accidents — kids, pets and even grownups. Expect a launch this summer of narrow 4˝x 48˝ planks as well as wide 9˝x 60˝ planks. 

• Coming this summer, from Stanton’s new Decorative Waterproof Flooring Collection, The Natural Beauty 9” series featuring style Oakdale in color Cottage, provides fashion and performance —for the whole family. 


Natural Beauty, Stanton

Standing up to spills, mud, paws and claws

AHF
• AHF Products offers both resilient and hardwood products that are durable enough to handle the normal wear and tear of pets. Spills from water bowls or tracked in muddy footprints are no match for rigid core products Bruce LifeSeal, Hartco Everguard and Robbins ProTekt, rigid core products that are waterproof while also resisting scratches, dents, stains and fading from sunlight — so don’t worry if Fluffy prefers napping on the floor in a sunbeam. FloorScore certification ensures that beloved pets won’t be susceptible to adverse reactions from dangerous chemicals. These products are available in popular wood and stone looks. 

• AHF also offers three waterproof hardwood flooring collections: Bruce Hydropel, Hartco Hydroblok and Robbins HydroGuard flooring products all offer six-way waterproof protection for 36 hours. Hydroblok also offers antimicrobial protection.


Bruce Hydropel, AHF

American OEM
• All of the products in American OEM’s Hearthwood and Raintree lines are marketed toward families with pets, thanks to their scratch- and moisture-resistance. While most traditional hardwood flooring will warp or cup when exposed to water, Hearthwood Hardwoods are unchanged by spills, thanks to innovative WetWorx technology coating all six sides of each plank, making it up to 250 percent more water-resistant than competitive hardwood. And, the Raintree line’s hybrid hardwood structure combines the waterproof properties of its NinjaCore composite core with a real wood veneer protected by a waterproof, scratch-resistant coating.


Laguna Vibes, Raintree

Armstrong
• Armstrong Flooring offers a variety of pet-friendly flooring products in multiple resilient categories, including its Empower rigid core collection, Vivero luxury vinyl tile and Duality premium sheet vinyl. The brand’s exclusive Diamond10 Technology coating provides scratch, stain and scuff resistance that keeps the flooring looking newer longer while also making floors easy to clean. Armstrong offers a pet-friendly warranty in which select flooring guarantees performance against pet-staining from accidents, as well as pet-friendly messaging on retailer displays and product samples. 


Empower, Armstrong

Ceramics of Italy 
• Whether floors, walls or tableware, members of Ceramics of Italy have produced tiles that are fit for furry friends. Porcelain itself is scratch-proof, easy to clean and non-porous so it won’t stain — an absolute must for homes with pets. Member Ergon invested in providing even safer surfaces for pets and pet-owners alike with its new Elegance Pro collection including Shield antimicrobial technology. Integrated during the production process, Shield actively eliminates up to 99.9 percent of bacterial growth on the surface and ensures 24/7 hygienic protection, Ceramics of Italy shared.


Elegance Pro, Ergon

Crossville
• Crossville's entire tile catalog is innately pet-friendly, as tile is naturally resistant to water, stains and scratches. The brand communicates their products' pet-friendliness by promoting its high performance, low maintenance properties, as well as supporting the Why Tile campaign messaging that consistently shares the benefits of tile, including its pet-friendliness. 


Portugal, Crossville

Dal-Tile
• All porcelain products in Dal-Tile’s Daltile, American Olean and Marazzi brands are pet-friendly options, thanks to tile’s waterproof performance, durability, bacteria resistance and low maintenance cleanup. In addition to being naturally waterproof, dent-proof and scratch-resistant, tile products don’t contain harmful VOCs or allergens, making it a safe surface for the family pet. For extra pet-friendliness, look for products in Daltile’s new DEFEND powered by Microban program, a distinct product line of high-performance tile. Because Microban is built into the tile itself, the antibacterial, anti-fungal, antimicrobial product won’t wash or wear off, resulting in a surface that is consistently protected.


Saddle Brook, Daltile

Earthwerks
• The entire catalog of EarthWerks (EW) luxury vinyl flooring products are pet-friendly. In addition to their water- and wear-resistant qualities, the brand’s TuffShielf enhanced coating ensures products are low-maintenance and high-performing. Pet-friendly products will feature a pet-friendly tag on the company’s merchandising, letting shoppers know the product is a good fit for households with pets. 


Stadium Plus XL, EW

Karndean
• Kardnean Designflooring’s entire portfolio of glue-down, loose lay and rigid core products is pet-friendly, waterproof and easy to clean. All products are finished with the brand’s K-Guard+ surface protection, which provides a hygienic and durable finish that allows products to be easily cleaned with a pH neutral solution. Additionally, Karndnean vinyl plank flooring products are non-porous and won’t absorb odors and messes like food spills or accidents and can be easily wiped up without any lingering stains or smells.


Van Gogh LVT, Karndean

Metroflor
• Metroflor’s Genesis WPC flooring and Inception SPC products are waterproof and stain-resistant backed by pet-proof warranties. Genesis features Metroflor’s FX3 surface protectant, while Inception features its FX2 surface protectant ­— both offer abrasion and stain resistance, which are critical for protecting floors from the scratches and stains that come with pet ownership. FX3 features antimicrobial treatment that inhibits odors and the growth of mold and mildew on the surface and underneath the planks. Inception Genesis retail displays feature the “Family Friendly — Pet Friendly” designation. 


Genesis WPC, Metroflor

MSI
• MSI’s Everlife collection, which includes LVT, waterproof laminate flooring and hardwood, as well as porcelain and ceramic tile, offers a wide range of pet-friendly flooring. Everlife LVT and laminate both feature the company’s proprietary CrystaLux wearlayer, which resists scratches, dents, scuffs and sun damage, while its wood features a waterproof stone-based core. Like all porcelain and ceramic tile, Everlife offers waterproof capabilities as well as durability and a long lifespan. Its Arterra porcelain pavers also feature ZeroSlip technology, which offers at minimum 50 percent higher slip resistance — perfect for pets who like to run around. Plus, coordinating colors between the indoor Everlife LVT collection and outdoor Arterra porcelain pavers provide seamless pet-friendly solutions.


Everlife LVT, MSI

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