Harwood Floors and Pets

We are often asked if hardwood flooring is a good choice for a home with pets.  Pet owners, especially of dogs, worry that the animals nails will scratch the floor or urine will damage the wood.  We are animal lovers too and we say pets and hardwood flooring can peacefully coexist!

Compared to other materials, hardwood floors may be a better choice for clean up and repair of damage. Let's face it.  Keeping animals in the home adds to the wear and tear of any flooring or furniture they spend time on.  The best you can do is take some proactive measures and keep watch for any wrongdoings.

Dogs shed, get fleas/ticks, track in dirt, vomit, etc. Carpet confines the dander, dirt, fleas and ticks making it difficult to remove it all.  Oils from dogs coats can transfer to carpet and cause discoloration. Urine stains are all but impossible to fully remove from carpeting.  The urine seeps below the carpet and is absorbed by the padding and the smell almost never fully goes away.

Laminate flooring makes wiping up messes easy, but any damage done is permanent. Scratches, nicks, and dents will be there for good and if a wet mess is not cleaned up promptly, laminates may buckle.

Hardwood floors can be repaired if needed.  This is the big difference.  Scratches and dents can usually be sanded out. Dirt, dander, fleas, and ticks are more easily removed from hardwood flooring as well.  Follow these tips and you should be able to keep your hardwood floors in good repair and enjoy your pets!

• Place food and water dishes on a rug or mat.

• Place a rug or mat by the doors the animals use most often.

• Keep the nails trimmed.

• Wipe up urine or any wet mess immediately or as soon as possible.

 Enjoy your floors and enjoy your pets just as we do here at GR Flooring!

Reduce the Allergens in Your Home

Everyone's been saying it.  Allergy season seems to be worse than ever this year.  If you suffer from allergies, you know there is little escape from those nasty allergens that have your eyes puffing up and tearing and your nose running all day and night. That is why it is so important to make your home as allergen free as possible.

Allergens, such as dust mites, pollen, and animal dander are nearly invisible and will intrude into your home no matter how often you clean. There are, however, steps you can take to reduce the misery may they be causing.

Carpets may be warm and comfortable, but they trap allergens and hold and tight.  Frequent vacuuming will help, but this is not ideal for an allergy sufferer.  Conversely, hardwood floors offer allergens no place to hide because they are free from fibers and grout lines.  People with allergies should vacuum or sweep once per week or when dust is visible.  Hardwood flooring has the clear advantage here as dust build up can be seen.

Hardwood flooring comes in many varieties and some are better choices for an allergy sufferer.  The experts at GR Flooring can help you decide which will be best for you!