 Whether you call them pets, fur-babies, your children, or grand-pets, your pets are a part of the family. If you have indoor animals, though, you know the struggle of keeping your floors clean and in good condition. We love our pets, but we love our floors too. Let’s look at some flooring options suited for furry friends.
Hard surface floors It’s hard to beat the look of a beautiful hardwood floor, but it’s not the best choice for families with pets. Hardwoods are very susceptible to scratches from claws, and pet urine can soak down into the wood causing odors and damage. Moisture from water bowls is also another potential problem that is often overlooked. Luckily, vinyl, LVT, and WPC can fill the need for a wood look and pet-friendly durability. LVT (luxury vinyl tile or plank) and sheet vinyl are great options because both come in stylish wood and stone looks and are scratch and dent resistant, perfect to stand up to your pets’ claws. Sheet vinyl is virtually waterproof, and LVT is water-resistant. So, if your pet has an accident, it’s not the end of the world for your floors. WPC has many of the same features as LVT, but due to the makeup of its core, WPC is virtually impervious to water damage. Vinyl, LVT, and WPC are easily maintained with sweeping and mopping. Tile and stone are also excellent choices for pets. Neither floor scratches easily, and they are both easy to clean and maintain. The only drawback is that tile and stone are often cold and hard. Consider adding a few rugs or a pet bed to give your pet a comfy place to relax. Carpeting Many people love the softness and comfort of carpet but have given up on having carpet due to their pets. However, carpet has changed the game in recent years with options like Mohawk SmartStrand. SmartStrand is literally one of the most durable carpets on the market with features like:
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 There are many elements to consider when decorating your home. You may first think of color schemes, furniture, and accessories, but there is a décor secret you might have overlooked. Textures can play a very important part in achieving a desired design.
Textures add depth and help to draw a space together and complete a look. The amount of textures you use and where you use them will depend on the style you’re trying to achieve. For example, rustic styles will have many layers of textures, whereas modern motifs will use very few. Think about the style you want to achieve: does it have a streamlined-feel or a softer-curved line feel? As a rule of thumb, the simpler the design, the less texture you'll use and Vice versa. Texture can be incorporated into a room through fabrics, such as that of furniture, throw pillows, drapes, rugs, and blankets. Additional depth can be added with artwork and accessories like vases, books, trays, and flowers. Floors can also provide a great deal of texture in a space, whether you have hardwood, tile, vinyl, carpet, laminate, or WPC. If your space requires a more streamlined look, go with a flooring that has a smooth, simple grain. If your space needs more texture, hardwood floors or wood-look floors offer many styles with features like scraped, brushed, knotted, and distressed planks. And of course, carpet, whether it’s wall-to-wall or a rug, adds warmth, softness, and depth to any room. Textures are an important key to achieving the look you desire in your space. Keep in mind the simpler the design, the less textures you'll use. Furniture, accessories, and flooring all work to bring the design together.  Emser's Woodwork Bend. Photo credit: Emser Despite growing trends in flooring of all kinds, tile is still a favorite. Tile is not only loved for its durability and classic looks though; it’s keeping up with all the trends and making new ones. Let's take a look at some current and emerging tile trends and features.
For starters, wood-look tiles are here to stay with new looks and tile sizes like 6x36 and 4x28 that are perfect for using in herringbone patterns. Sizes are also getting bigger and better with new sizes like 12x24 and even 24x48! New textures and finishes are adding more style and enhancing the beauty of wood-look tile. Tile is taking on new shapes too with wood look tiles in planks, bricks, and hexagons of all sizes. Tile doesn’t have to be limited to the floor either. You can take it up the walls to make quite a statement in your space. Tiled walls using large format wood, concrete, or brick make a big impact. New designs and materials in brick, metals, and printed patterns can take a backsplash or accent wall to the next level. The possibilities are endless with these new trends. We see more and more people gravitating toward a seamless indoor-outdoor look in their homes. Wood-look porcelain tile is perfect for a hardwood look in your space that can flow to an outdoor living area for a seamless, open look with no worries about the weather. Or, if you like a more modern, industrial vibe, consider using concrete tiles in your home, and let them continue outside into an outdoor kitchen or patio. Tile in the home continues to stand the test of time while evolving with new trends that we love. Next time you have a tile project, don't forget to explore your options and see what’s out there. You can find all the latest tile trends and fashions in our showroom. We’ll be happy to help you find the one that completes your home.  Mannington's Havana Tobacco Luxury Vinyl Many people in the market for flooring think of traditional materials like hardwood, carpet, and tile, but there’s another option with benefits that might surprise you: sheet vinyl. Let’s take a look at sheet vinyl and why it might be a great choice for your home.
 These days there are numerous places specializing in home improvements, whether online or store front. Flooring is no exception. Depending on the area in which you live, there may be many flooring stores from which you can choose. How do you know you're choosing the right one? Let's take a look at some features to look for when selecting a flooring store.
Specialization Not all stores that sell flooring actually specialize in it. They may also sell lawn and garden equipment, appliances, lumber, etc., The sales people most likely rotate throughout departments, and the flooring selection is limited. Stores that specialize in flooring have sales people specifically trained in all aspects of flooring and installation and have a much wider product selection. Variety More variety equals more design options for your home! A broad range of products and prices ensures that your budget and taste can find a happy medium. We all want good quality flooring for a decent price. Professionalism When you get ready to make a big purchase, you want guidance from someone who knows they're talking about! Sales professionals trained in the latest materials, products, and styles are best equipped to help you match your flooring to your space. In addition, choosing a store with professional installation crews and installation warranties means that your flooring will be installed correctly and is covered should anything go wrong. When you choose Ted's Abbey Carpet & Floor, you get all these things! We specialize in flooring with a wide variety of products and prices to suit any taste and budget. Our sales people are trained professionals who are always up-to-date on the latest industry trends. In addition, we have over 20 installation crews to make sure your flooring is installed right! The choice is obvious! |
