We get a lot of questions from customers asking which floors are best when they have dogs. Here are a few tips to help pick wood flooring that will be great for both the homeowner and their dogs.
1) Start with a hardwood floor
Start by looking at a Janka Hardness Scale. This measures a wood’s resistance to dents and dent-related wear. The higher the Janka rating, the more resilient the wood will be to scratches. Oak is the standard by which hardwood floors are measured and anything harder than that is a bonus. A softer wood like American Walnut, American Cherry, Pine, or Birch will tend to dent more easily.
2) Textured surfaces help
Due to a revolution in the hardwood floor industry, textured surfaces come in a variety of different styles. A textured surface can be wire-brushed, hand-scraped, or employ other distressing techniques. Wire brushing removes some of the softer woods in the grain and highlights the natural beauty and deep grain texture. Any scratch will blend in with the floor and help the floor to maintain its natural look and feel.
3) Color variation acts as a natural camouflage
While lighter colors help hide any shedding of dog fur. A floor with some color variation will also help camouflage any imperfections found in the finish from wear and tear by drawing attention away from scratches and dents.
4) Pay attention to the reflection
Cracks in a mirror are much more noticeable than cracks on a stone. While this is an extreme example, this same concept can be applied to hardwood floor finishes. A matte finish will reflect the least amount of light which helps the floor look cleaner longer. It also helps to hide any imperfections and keep your floor with a new look compared to the more shiny finishes. A matte finish looks more natural and real since wood is not a natural shiny substance.
5) Choose an oil and waxed floor
An oiled and waxed floor is more natural because the oil penetrates the wood and becomes part of the floor. Dust, dirt, and small scratches are more concealed. Oiled floors have a natural feel and give your pets more traction. The other big advantage is that it is easier to repair than other floors. It can be done by anyone, just simply use a cloth and some floor oil.
No wood floor is bulletproof when it comes to scratches, dents, or wear but following these 5 tips will help keep your floor looking and feeling like new. Woof Woof!