Waukesha County Home

MARCH 2018 HOME 7 259617004 Carpet | Hardwood | Laminate | Tile & Stone | Vinyl | Luxury Vinyl & Tile www.stusflooring.com Tomorrow's Flooring Today Locally Owned & Operated Greenfield 4820 W. Loomis Rd. 414.744.9400 Waukesha 2142 E. Moreland Blvd. 262.524.1455 *Material & Residential Only. Not valid with any other offer, sale or prior purchase. See store for details. Expires 3/31/18 * FREE CARPET INSTALLATION with order out carpet purchase MILWAUKEE — Homes aren't just for humans. Sixty-eight percent of U.S. house- holds have a pet, and Milwaukee National Association of the Remodeling Industry members have seen an increase in includ- ing furry friends in home remodeling plans. The most common pet remodels address "storage for treats and food, but most importantly picking materials that are easy to clean and can withstand the wear and tear for pets," said Joe Klein, certified kitchen and bath remodeler and universal design certified professional of S.J. Janis Company in Wauwatosa. "Luxury vinyl flooring is a great solution for pets. It's easy to maintain and clean, not to mention it's very durable, especially when it comes to dogs with big claws." Jack Golatke, certified remodeler with Story Hill Renovations in Wauwatosa, agreed that flooring is an important consid- eration for pet owners. "When you're getting wood flooring, avoid a pre-finished floor," he said. "They have really nice factory finishes, but they contain aluminum oxide. When claws scratch the wood, the light will catch the scratch and look gray from the aluminum oxide in the finish, and the scratch will show a lot more." He added that prefinished floors also come with a beveled edge, which will catch the claws from time to time, making the floor even more prone to scratching. Ninety to 95 percent of the wood flooring installed by Story Hill Renovations is fin- ished on-site. "We install the product unfin- ished, put a sand on it and a top coat, and the flooring won't have the beveled edges," Golatke said. Accident protection Scratches aren't the only issue with floor- ing for pets. Dogs and cats have been known to have "accidents" in a home. Golatke said, "For natural stone or tile, make sure the floor and grout are properly sealed. The sealing should be done once per year to help overcome any issues that may result from pet accidents." After flooring, the other obstacles to address are feeding, storage and bathing. Golatke enjoys finding ways to incorporate pet amenities into the homeowner's design scheme. "For one family who had a couple dogs, we took their sink cutout from their Cam- bria countertops and used it for the dog feeding area. Our carpenters made a base for it and fit in the stainless-steel food and water bowls," he said. Making the most of mudrooms S.J. Janis Company has done mudrooms for dogs and multiple kitchens that include a special place for the dog or cat to eat, with built-in storage for their food and treats. When Klein designs a mudroom for dogs, it includes a raised wash station with a built- in staircase to keep the owners from having to bend over to wash them. He designs built- in feeding areas and plenty of storage for food and toys. "It can also have a meal prep space, which includes an area for the dog's medications," Klein said. For added convenience, he also includes a low built-in sink and faucets, so it's easier to fill and drain the dog's water bowl. For homeowners who bathe their pets in the bathroom, some modifications can make the task easier. Golatke recommended a handheld shower head for washing off the dog. For homes with a shower stall and no tub, it's possible to install a tub spigot in the shower stall. "Install the spigot about 18 inches off the ground and it'll make it easier to wash the dog." For homeowners who are ready to build an area specifically for dog washing, Golatke said, "I really like Kohler's cast- iron shower bases. Set it up with Kohler fix- tures, a couple towel bars and tile up the walls 2 or 3 feet." One of the latest pet amenities Klein has seen is a stationary tub designed specifical- ly for dog baths, installed in the garage or in the basement. A space they can call their own Amenities for pets and their owners con- tinue to grow in popularity. Another new trend is automated and interactive pet treat dispensers. "It's a device that you can set up to remotely interact with your pets and even give them treats," Klein said. "You just con- nect to your Wi-Fi and it lets you talk to your pets at home while you are somewhere else and even give them treats." What is the best remodel homeowners can give their pets? A way to spend more time together comfortably, Klein said. "If you have a pet that likes to hang around you when you're in the kitchen or bathroom, design an area that will create a space that they can call their own. It doesn't have to be big, but a place they can still be close to you. The easiest and most common way is to turn a base cabinet into a dog or cat cubby. By simply removing the doors and adding a bed, you've created an easy and comfortable place for your pet to hang out with you without being in the way," Klein said. NARI members share advice ranging from conveniences to pet-resistant materials Remodeling trends for homeowners with pets Submitted photo These pull-out steps to a wash sink in the mudroom make for greater convenience in this award-winning pet-friendly project by SJ Janis Co. of Wauwatosa.

• Cover