How to design with pets in mind

With more and more buildings allowing pets, it is becoming increasingly important that the right products and design be considered in a building renovation. Most people only think about the carpet, but there is much to consider, both for the flooring and beyond. 

What is the right floor treatment for pets?

The right floor depends on a number of factors, such as budget, quality of maintenance by the staff, and floor layout. Carpet is the first line of defense, so it is vital to go with a carpet that is high quality. A Solution Dyed Nylon carpet is a great choice because the color is inherent in the thread and urine will not easily discolor it. Additionally, it comes with an applied backing, which also serves as a moisture barrier. This will prevent the moisture from penetrating to the floor surface, which makes it easier to clean. Another good option is a wool/nylon blend. Wool is known for it’s durability and ease of maintenance, plus it gives carpet a more luxurious look. Additionally, you we want to choose a carpet that can be spot cleaned, and utilize a pattern and colors that are good at hiding spots in between cleanings. We would discuss the pros and cons of each and decide which is best for your building. 

Often, the areas with the most problems are right in front of the elevators, as this is where many pets have accidents. When feasible we recommend that you install a tile floor in the elevator landings. This is by far the most durable solution and will last for many years to come. This does have some drawbacks, however, cost being one of them. Another concern would be if there were apartment doors within the landing area, as the hard surface would be noisier and may be disturbing to those residents. 

What fabric is right for pets? 

Let’s face it, people are going to let their pets up onto the furniture in the lobby, and while it may not happen often, it can quickly ruin the furniture. For this reason it is important to select fabrics that are commercial grade so that they can hold up to the wear and tear of a pet, and be easy to clean. There are dozens of companies out there that make fabrics specific to fit these needs, but key is making sure you pick the right one to fit your pet needs. 

What materials are best to use on walls for pets? 

Yes walls are an important consideration as well. I’ve seen large dogs that like to rub against the wall, or pets that put their paws up on the walls. It’s important to make sure the products used will be durable and easy to clean. For this reason we would stick with a type II vinyl wallcovering, and likely use a darker color in the elevator area, which will hide dirt better between cleanings. Using a type II vinyl would also ensure that their nails would not rip the wallcovering.  Another important consideration is the baseboard. You want to make sure they aren’t able to easily get at or chew on the baseboards. To help with this issue, we recommend the use of a rubber/vinyl product with a low profile. It is very hard product, so it would not damage as easily as a wood base, and should they be able to bite into it the color is the same throughout, so any damage caused would be concealed more easily than with a wood product. Best of all it looks just like wood, and would never need painting and is easy to clean. 

All buildings with pets have unique situations, which is why it is important to work with a firm that is adept at designing with pets in mind. A good renovation can look shabby in little time if the products used weren’t appropriate for the building.