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YOU WANT SOMETHING
COST- AND PET-EFFECTIVE.
>> WE'VE ALL HAD more time at
home these last two years, whether we like it
or not. For some, the pandemic has been a
welcome break from their busy, everyday lives.
For others, the quiet time has been, well —
too quiet.
It's no wonder pet adoptions have been at
a high, with the Ontario SPCA estimating
that nearly three in 10 Canadians welcomed
a pet during the pandemic. Pets are loyal
companions. They're also long-term
commitments, and they require long-term
planning.
If you're moving into a new home, you'll want
to consider how it works for your furry and
non-furry family members alike.
Put simply, that wall-to-wall, plush carpet you
love might not be the best option. Nor is
that soft, expensive wood flooring. You want
something cost- and pet-effective (and kid- and
adult-effective, while we're at it).
Something durable and stylish. Something that
looks high-end, but won't be ruined the minute
your dog skids across the floor to fetch her
favourite ball or your cat decides to forego his
scratching post.
Durable flooring
"Your best bet is a waterproof laminate,"
says Evelyn Janz, who specializes in new-
construction sales at Curtis Carpets.
"Laminate has the most durable finish for a
wall-to-wall product. It's scratch-resistant and it
has a wood visual."
Janz emphasizes the waterproof specification,
especially when it comes to pets.
"Regular laminate isn't waterproof, so if the
flooring gets wet around the water bowl or if
your pet has an accident, traditional laminate
will swell up around the seams."
The waterproof version will resist moisture for
72 hours or longer, without letting water seep
past it or cause swelling.
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