Q: We have 4 children and 2 dogs… full house! I would love to remodel our mud room – what are some suggestions for durable, easy maintenance flooring?

A: A big family can sometimes equal big messes for your flooring to withstand. But don’t sweat it; there are a number of durable flooring options that are perfect for casual spaces like mud rooms, basements or play rooms. These floors will be able to handle the types of messes caused by kids and pets while keeping your home looking stylish.

For high traffic areas, ceramic tile has become an increasingly popular flooring choice. This tile is affordable, stain proof and requires only light cleaning to stay looking beautiful. Thanks to its popularity, designers have created ceramic tiles that come in all shapes, colors and styles. And it’s strong enough to resist scratching, which is good news for pet owners. The only downside to ceramic tile is the temperature. The tiles can get a little cold, particularly in the winter.

If you are looking for something that will be a bit more comfortable on your bare feet, cork flooring might be the option for you. Cork is a natural insulator, meaning it holds heat and is fairly resistant to temperature. In terms of durability, cork is harder to damage than other types of engineered hardwood flooring. It’s also dust, water, insect and microbe-repellent, which makes cork an excellent flooring choice for an area where children will be playing.

If you’re looking for a durable carpet option, consider stain proof carpeting. Stain proof carpet is coated with a chemical finish that repels dirt and liquids and prevents them from being ground into the carpet fibers. The chemicals make it easier to remove messes quickly and without leaving permanent damage on the surface of the carpet. Most (but not all) stain resistant carpeting eventually loses stain-fighting power once the chemicals wear down. But if you take proper care of the carpets, they should stay looking nice for a number of years. 

If are worried about those little messes that always come with having children or pets, ACo can help you select flooring that works best for your home. It’s the first step toward spending less time worrying about protecting your floors and more time enjoying fun moments with your family.