Rescue dogs + kitchen floor = confusion

11 years ago

We need advice on choosing a kitchen floor. We have 4 rescue dachshunds who we adore. Two of the dogs were in crates for their entire life until rescued. So, the point is they still mess in the kitchen daily. When we leave we gate the two pee'ers in the kitchen. Everyday at least 2x a day we wipe it up, mop it up with bleach/water. This constant abuse destroyed the 1960's linoleum. We so BADLY have been wanting to update the flooring but just keep putting it off b/c of the dogs. We can no longer stand it.
The kitchen is small, approx 350 sq ft of floor.
We will be doing the work ourselves. My husband is extremely handy and we have family well versed in kitchen installations.
The final piece to this equation is that this is not our forever home. If it was, We would spare no expense, to be sure to give us the best outcome. We expect to move in 2 years.
What is the best flooring for our kitchen besides titanium?

I am curious about concrete. My husband is unsure about the weight since he said our joists are "weird".
2 x 6 floor joists. Boxed off in 8 ft x 8 ft squares.

He's curious about grout'able stick on vinyl tiles.

We will also be updating our countertops.
Thanks bunches for weighing in. I'm grateful for the help.

Featured Answer

PRO

Floortrends Ltd

11 years ago

My first thought would be to go with a sheet vinyl good - it will be the least expensive product by far with prices ranging from $1.29 - 4.29/sf plus adhesive and because it is a sheet good you won't have any grout lines that run the risk of being stained by pet accidents. I'm not talking about Lineoleum or Marmoleum but a true vinyl floor... and before you think they're ugly, the new designs are waaaay different from the 60s vinyl most of us grew up with in our homes! My favourite designs right now are from the Mannington Resilient line:

http://www.mannington.com/Residential/Resilient.aspx

It's incredibly easy to clean up messes with a mop and bucket and a soap suitable for vinyl (Armstrong Once N Done or Congoleum Bright and Clean which has a lemon scent that I like) however I would definitely not recommend bleach for any floor you clean. If you're using it to try to eliminate the pet mess odours I'd recommend looking for a cleaner with an enzyme in it designed to break down pet stain odours, and make sure the label says it's safe for use on your floor type.

The groutable vinyl tiles you mentioned are called "Luxury Vinyl Tile" or LVT for short. They're typically less expensive to install than most ceramic or porcelain tiles and easier to install for a DIY job. We carry 3 brands that have a tile look:

Mannington Adura
Armstrong Alterna
Congoleum Duraceramic

I'm not sure where you're located but in our area prices range from $3.99 - 5.49/sf plus grout & adhesive. There are also wood plank looks that are available in a drop & lock installation similar to a laminate but will not swell and be damaged by moisture. Beware the really inexpensive versions of the drop & lock though as they typically have a poor quality joint that inevitably leads to headaches and more money spent fixing the floor down the road. I like Kraus' Culbres Plank wood look the price is reasonable at $2.99/sf and have found the joint to be good quality and it has a nice texture and look.

If you copy and paste the address below it gives a brief overview of installation how-to for the groutable tiles:

http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/diy-alterna-tile.html

Hope that helps & good luck in your search!

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Comments (7)

User
11 years ago
Tile would be my choice. And do a larger format tile with virtually no grout lines.

I would not do concrete. Its heavy, and its actually not that easy to get polished and finished yourself. You think, concrete, what can be so hard about that? Well...

We have a rescue cocker spaniel. He's a wonderful dog except he was so mistreated. He does the same thing. So the new kitchen will be 12"x24" tiles.

We are going with what they call the luxury vinyl tile (LVT?) in the master bedroom and they are setting it so they don't have to use grout. He doesn't usually mess in the bedroom but you cant be 100 percent sure so we will try that out. Just looking at it, though, I think with the spacing you still have the potential for damage especially if you are soaking it down a couple times a day.

Best of luck to you! Let us know which you choose. This is actually a common dilemma.
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grazius
11 years ago
I have two dogs with the occasional "accident". I use My Pet's Friend Stain Remover which I buy at the dollar store for $1 a bottle! It is enzyme based and removes the odors. It's also great for cleaning counter tops and I use it on my wool rugs and upholstered furniture. I am considering using unglazed porcelain for a new kitchen floor. I've read it does not stain because it is so non-porous and will look good for years.
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
11 years ago
Sheet vinyl...if you want to move in 2 years you may have to realize you will remove the sheet product at that time. This depends on the amount of urine smell that sticks around. If your "joists are weird" then you may not be able to work a ceramic tile in...unless you add rigidity (ie. add layers of plywood subfloor = extra expense). Stay away from any product that leaves an open 'seam'. LVT planks = not recommended because the urine WILL get between the seams = remove in 2 years.

Ceramic tiles would have been my "go-to" for your situation but the joists probably can't handle the weight. You might get sagging = cracking, breaking of the grout lines and the tiles = need new floor in 2 years. Ceramic holds up the best to the dogs/bleach...but your joists probably can't handle it without MASSIVE reinforcement (= money, money, money).

After ceramic comes sheet vinyl or lino. There are magnificent products out there! Set your budget and get the most appropriate floor. Be aware that you may have to replace in 2 years no matter what because of the urine.
ispoildogs
11 years ago
Sheet vinyl is the right answer.
daleon519
11 years ago
I vote for sheet vinyl also.

I have multiple rescue pets and I installed Congoleum Ultima sheet vinyl in my kitchen. The style I chose has Alumimum Oxide and Urethane finishes and liquids bead up and are easily spot cleaned. (Ultima is a higher-end (i.e., expensive) selection so you might want to look at other options if this is not your long-term home.)

Installation: I had a pro install the floor because I'm not handy. The flooring comes in 12 ft widths so there will be a seam which can be tricky. I've had the installers come back once already and I'm not happy with the seam still. I fault the installation and not the product.

Good luck!
Nancy
11 years ago
I have rescue dogs and have found the a vinyl flooring by Burkes that is in planks, looks like hardwood, is glued down and doggie accidents wipe right up. Even later. I had mine for 4 years moved up North and bought t in our new home. It IS NOT like Pergo or the others. It is not laminate. There are other brands, and check it out at the flooring companies.

I would never give up my doggies, but I like a clean floor. It is beautiful too.

Good Luck

Rescue dogs + kitchen floor = confusion

Floortrends Ltd

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grazius

Cancork Floor Inc.

ispoildogs

daleon519

Nancy

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