Over 63 million households in America own a dog.
If you form a part of that statistic, it is important to take into account the wear and tear that having a pup is going to bring to your home. You love your dog, but you also need to care about the value and aesthetics of your house.
The best way to protect your home is to install pet-friendly floors. If you have your heart set on wood, it is essential to choose the best wood flooring for dogs. Choose something sure to handle the brunt of your canine's destruction.
Keep reading for more information about the best options for dog-friendly wood floors.
Janka Hardness Scale
When considering the best types of wood floors for your home, make sure to pay attention to where the wood falls on the Janka Hardness Scale.
Janka Hardness measures the resistance of a type of wood to denting and wear. The higher the Janka rating, the more resistant the wood is.
Your flooring will need to withstand the scratches and dents from your dog's nails. It also needs to hold up against stones, dirt, and other materials they may bring in from the outdoors.
As a dog owner, make sure to choose a wood that ranks high on the scale. A high Janka rating will ensure your flooring can hold up to years of wear and tear from your pup.
Engineered Hardwood
One option you have is to choose engineered hardwood.
Engineered hardwood is made by bonding a thin layer of hardwood over several layers of high-quality plywood. It looks very similar to regular hardwood flooring and is less expensive to install.
Engineered wood is more resistant to moisture and humidity. If your dog is accident-prone and leaves messes on your floor that you can't get to right away, engineered hardwood may be a good option for you.
The issue with engineered hardwood is that you can only refinish it once or twice. If your dog is particularly active inside your home, you may want to consider natural hardwood instead. Natural hardwood will give you the option to refinish it whenever you need to.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
There are many benefits to solid hardwood flooring. It's aesthetically beautiful, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. Choosing solid hardwood will also add value to your home.
Again, make sure your choice ranks high on the Janka Hardness Scale. As a dog owner, it's critical to choose the most durable solid hardwood for your flooring. Here are some popular options for dog-friendly floors:
Brazilian Walnut
Imported from the rainforests of Brazil, Brazilian walnut is hard and dense. It remains in high demand for woodworking and flooring projects and is even hard enough to be used for outdoor decking.
Due to its durability and its high Janka rating, Brazilian walnut tends to be a popular choice among dog owners. It will increase the value of your home and can withstand most indoor canine activity.
Hard Maple
If you are looking for domestic flooring, hard maple is a top choice. Grown mostly in the northern states, it has become a popular option among homeowners with pets.
While it doesn't have as high a Janka score as Brazilian walnut, it is still considered to be an excellent flooring material.
It's important to not confuse hard maple with other maple options. Hard maple is a specific type and is often called sugar or rock maple.
Hard Maple is often used as the flooring for basketball courts. It will hold up well to pet traffic and the normal wear and tear your pup will bring.
Bamboo
The majority of today's bamboo flooring products originate in China and other parts of Asia. Bamboo is actually a grass, not a wood. However, the industry often classifies bamboo as a wood due to its high ranking on the Janka Hardness Scale.
But, how can a grass floor be durable?
During the manufacturing process, bamboo is impregnated with hard resins. This gives it durability and enables it to function as a hardwood floor.
Bamboo is strong, durable, eco-friendly, and also has a natural resistance to moisture. It will withstand normal dog activity and also hold up if your pet is prone to accidents.
Cork
Cork flooring is an excellent choice for dog owners. While not technically a hardwood, this softwood flooring is attractive, easy to clean, and is also microbial.
What does that mean?
If your dog has an accident on the floor, microbial flooring is less likely to develop bacterial growth and other harmful allergens. While you will want to clean the mess up as fast as possible, you will still be able to remove it safely if you can't get to it right away.
Cork is also non-slip so your dog won't need to use their claws to move around your home. It's also scratch-resistant, so if your pup does use their claws, you won't have to worry about them damaging your floor.
If damage does occur, cork can be refinished and repaired on-site.
Choose the Best Wood Flooring for Dogs
While they may be man's best friend, dogs aren't necessarily friendly to your floors.
It's important to love your pet and care for your home at the same time. Choosing the best wood flooring for dogs is essential for finding this delicate balance. Just because you own a dog doesn't mean the aesthetic and value of your home needs to suffer.
Check out our services page for more information and to explore your options.
