Do you love your dog, but hate how their nails scratch up your flooring? You’re not alone. Many people come to us because they want to find hardwood flooring that’s resistant against scratches and dents. Wood flooring is popular among homeowners because it gives your home a classic, yet natural, aesthetic. However, before hardwood floor installation, you’ll want to make sure that you choose one of the best hardwood floors for dogs.
For more information, the flooring contractors at Carpet Bonanza recommend reaching out to a hardwood flooring company near you.
Avoid soft wood species
It’s important to understand that there are different tree species used for real wood flooring. A hardwood flooring store will be able to steer you away from soft tree species that are more susceptible to scratches and dents.
We recommend avoiding the following soft wood species:
-Carbonized bamboo
-American cherry
-American walnut
-Cedar
-Pine
-Fir
Each tree species has its own attributes when made into hardwood flooring. If you own dogs or other pets, you will be much better off getting a wood species with a reputation for being durable like hard maple (also called sugar or rock maple). Hard maple is so durable that it has been used in the past for basketball courts.
Install solid hardwood
Solid wood flooring is more durable than engineered wood flooring. Like the name suggests, solid hardwood flooring is completely made out of hardwood and takes more effort to scratch and dent. Engineered hardwood floors, on the other hand, have only a thin slice of hardwood sitting on top of plywood. If you are a dog owner, we highly recommend you choose solid wood flooring for your home.
Check for strong graining
Wood grains are the patterns in hardwood flooring that give them their distinctive look and style. Woods with strong grain patterns are better at hiding scratches, dents, and other damage caused by dogs. For example, you may want to consider installing red oak wood flooring. The wood grains in hickory wood are also great at distracting the eye from scratches and dents.
Choose distressed hardwoods
Jealous of the rustic chic aesthetics you see in interior design magazines? Check the inventory at your local flooring store for distressed wood flooring. Distressed wood flooring gives your home that weathered look in a trendy fashionable way. If you own a dog, it won’t matter if their nails scratch up your distressed floors. If anything, it’ll give them more character.
Skip the glossy finish
We understand that glossy floors can give your home a touch of style and luxury. However, wood floors with glossy finishes will show every single scratch and dent your dog makes over the years. You’re much better off choosing a satin or matte finish for your new hardwood floor so scratches from dog nails aren’t noticeable.
Carpet Bonanza is a Holland hardwood flooring company that sells hardwood, carpeting, tile, and much more. You can count on our salespeople to help you find the right flooring for a dog-friendly home. If you are interested in browsing our extensive inventory of wood flooring, give us a call at (616) 396-2765.
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