Type of Hardwood Floor You Should Get If You Have a Dog

You can have a dog and a hardwood floor.

Hardwood floors can be difficult to keep scratches off of when you have a dog, particularly a large dog. Options are available for dog owners who want hardwood floors and have dogs.

Source of Damage

Dogs can damage hardwood floors with scratches from its nails as it dashes across floor. Since bigger dogs are heavier and have larger nails, they will dig them in when they run on the hardwoods. Small dogs can do damage as well, but not as much.

Types

Brazilian cherry hardwoods are especially hard and stand up to dog nails better than most. Another option is lament flooring, which looks just like hardwoods but stands up to dog nails better than regular hardwoods and it is much easier to keep clean in general.

Treat Wood

If hardwood flooring is a must, make sure not only to choose a very hard type of wood, but also one that has been treated with layers of durable finish such as urethane with aluminum oxide.

Considerations

If you choose solid hardwood flooring that can be refinished several years from the time it is laid, this can also work well with your dog.

Warning

Any kind of hardwood flooring you choose, unless it is the lament, will need upkeep from day-to-day water spills and other liquid stains, but a dog will mean a bit more maintenance and preparation.

References

• Best Hardwood Floors for Dogs
• Hardwoods for Dogs