Porcelain Floors vs. Laminate Floors for Dog Care

Porcelain tile is durable and may be able to hold up to multiple dogs.

It is always important to consider the conditions that your floor will be subjected to before you install it. Even though you may like a certain type of flooring better than another, your choice may not hold up well, and ultimately you will end up replacing it. Before installing your floor, consider where it is to be installed, what it is to be used for, and how much moisture it will be exposed to. There is a big difference between laminate flooring and porcelain tile, especially when your flooring will primarily be used in a dog care situation.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is constructed out of porcelain clay, using a dust-pressing method. This method of construction uses very little water. The tiles are then baked in a kiln at more than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This process provides a tile that is almost completely waterproof, and extremely strong. Porcelain tile will not scratch or easily break. The durability and moisture resistance makes porcelain tile an ideal floor type for dog care.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is designed to have the appearance and strength of real wood. The surface of laminate is created out of fiberglass or strong plastic materials, making it scratch- and moisture-resistant under normal conditions, but multiple dogs in a dog care situation are not considered normal. Large dogs with sharp nails will wear through the the top layer of clear coat and scratch the flooring.

Sound

A distinct difference between laminate flooring and porcelain is noise level. Laminate flooring can have an almost hollow sound when walked on. Multiple dogs will only magnify the echoing when they run across it. Porcelain tile is solid all the way through, and is set in a bed of thinset. There are no air pockets that can create a hollow sound. In a dog care situation; the most noise that you will hear is the clicking of the dogs' nails on the tile.

Moisture Resistance

Porcelain tile is almost 100 percent moisture-resistant and will hold up to multiple dogs, drinking bowls, and the occasional accidents. There are no open spaces between the tiles except for grout lines, which will not pose a problem if properly sealed. Unsealed grout lines will absorb moisture and dog odors. Porcelain tile is easy to clean with a mop.

Laminate flooring should not be used in situations that will lead to constant exposure to moisture. There are slight gaps between each plank that are not filled. Over time, constant exposure to moisture from dog accidents and water splashing from drinking bowls can cause the surface layer of your laminate to come apart from the center layer.

Considerations

Porcelain tile may be ideal if you will be caring for multiple dogs. There is little chance that a porcelain floor will ever fail. You can use a regular mop and anti-bacterial cleaners on porcelain tiles, which will create a safer environment for multiple dogs.

Warning

The manufacturer's warranty on laminate flooring may not cover damage due to excess exposure to moisture from caring for multiple dogs.

References

• John Bridge: Types of Tile
• Home Flooring Guide: How is Laminate Flooring Made?

Resources

• Tecson Building Products: Your Tecsun Building Products Flooring is Warranted