Why LVT is a Strong Choice for Vet Flooring

The selection for your veterinary hospital flooring is essential not only for the employees and pet owners using the space, but the animals as well. No matter if it is new construction or a renovation project, the vet flooring chosen should be aesthetically pleasing and able to withstand wear and tear.

Unlike most other applications, where much of the design emphasis is based around finding the right flooring to handle continued use from employees, patrons and equipment, the vet flooring you select must have one very important quality; it must also be able to handle the unavoidable impacts of animals.

A nervous dog has an accident in the waiting room or a cat reluctant to get a shot scratches its nails on an exam room floor – anything can happen during a visit to the vet and as a business owner, being prepared with the right type of flooring will make all the difference. But which flooring product is suitable when it comes to handling both people and pets?

The Value of LVT for Vet Flooring

When it comes to veterinary hospital flooring, there are many options to choose from each with their own set of pros and cons. Hardwood is a softer flooring surface and is therefore more susceptible to scratches and scuffs. Carpeting is also not ideal because pet urine, and potentially other liquids, can easily set into the fibers. Similar limitations apply to flooring surfaces like concrete.

While concrete, hardwood and carpet certainly have their benefits, LVT is a strong contender when considering the dynamic design versatility and superior durability needed in an application as unique as a veterinary hospital.

A Non-Porous, Pet-Friendly Vet Flooring Solution

LVT, in general, is non-porous — meaning it is resistant to stains and water penetration, which is essential in a vet hospital application. While it is recommended to always clean any hard flooring surface when and if any moisture gets on the floor, luxury vinyl’s qualities related to durability and cleanability are unparalleled.

With LVT, as long as spills or accidents are properly cleaned in a reasonable amount of time, it is unlikely for any spills to penetrate the wear layer (please note that some pet urine may have a tendency to stain even when cleaned up immediately). It is always best to request a Stain Chart and the product’s warranty from your Parterre Representative prior to purchase or installation. And if there was ever a need to replace a tile or plank, it can be easily done. This is different than concrete and ceramic, where urine can easily soak into the flooring surface or grout, which over time can cause an odor and bacteria to linger. Parterre also recommends ordering a few LVT samples to see how they work in the space before installation.

A Scratch-Resistant, Simple-to-Clean Vet Flooring Solution

It is fair to say that most all hard flooring surfaces will have some value when it comes scratch resistance, however LVT’s durability and ease of maintenance makes it a go-to vet flooring product. In addition to being naturally water and stain resistant, LVT is also naturally scratch and scuff resistant making it well matched for the constant impact and dog or cat paws, bird claws or hooves may have. LVT also has the design versatility that allows you to choose a particular color or pattern to help hide any accidental wear and tear as needed.

And unlike other flooring surfaces, LVT requires a minimal amount of maintenance, as well as no heavy polishing or waxing on an ongoing basis. While regular maintenance is essential in a veterinary hospital or office, much like it is in any medical facility, LVT caters well to a daily cleaning regimen. It is also easily replaceable, as a single tile or plank can be removed and replaced as needed.

Ideal Areas for LVT Vet Flooring

LVT is versatile enough to be used throughout most areas of a veterinary hospital space, however some spaces make more sense than others. Here’s a breakdown of where LVT is well suited:

Common Spaces — Common space within a veterinary facility consists of the following areas:

• Lobby
• Waiting rooms
• Restrooms
• Outpatient rooms

These spaces undoubtedly experience the most foot (and paw) traffic in a veterinary facility and therefore must be durable enough to withstand constant wear. LVT makes sense in these applications, as it’s easy to replace in case of extensive scratches or other damage. While other flooring products can also be replaced, LVT product requires only a tile-by-tile replacement and is far less time consuming.

LVT is also ideal in these applications because it easily conforms to the substrate below. This is key, as animals (namely dogs) could potentially attempt to dig at and lift the flooring or could snag a paw on it if it was loosely affixed to the surface below.

Additionally, LVT is able to absorb the sound of nails (or hooves) better than other hard flooring surfaces and is a warmer flooring option for pets’ paws compared to colder hard surfaces like ceramic or concrete. LVT also offers more traction for pets compared to other hard surface flooring products.

Ultimately, the reason LVT is suitable in common areas within a veterinary hospital is that it is able to replicate other natural materials that may not necessarily be suitable for this application. There is a design aesthetic available to match any vet office design or branding.

Office/Administrative Space — These areas, while not necessarily as prone to the impact from pets, are frequented by people — and as such should require a certain level of comfort and durability that LVT can provide.

At Parterre, we’re committed to providing LVT in a variety of design options — no matter the space. Contact us today to learn more about our vet flooring solutions.