There are a number of different factors to consider when choosing the best wood flooring for dogs in your home, from wood hardness and finish to the color and grain of the wood. All of these can have a significant effect on how good they are for dogs, but no single wood will be best at them all.
This can make choosing the right one extremely difficult, but understanding these factors can go a long way to helping ensure you make the right decision.
One of the most significant factors to consider when choosing wood flooring for your and your dog’s home is the hardness of the wood. Harder woods are, of course, much better for dogs than softer ones, as the harder the flooring, the more resistant it will be to scratches and dents.
Wood hardness is measured using the Janka hardness scale. This scale measures the amount of weight or force required to lodge a standardized steel ball halfway into a piece of wood.
If a wood has a Janka rating of over 1000, it is usually considered to be strong enough for flooring, but if you have dogs, the higher the Janka rating, the better.
While the strength of the wood is undoubtedly important, it doesn’t paint a complete picture of what types of wood flooring will be best for dogs. The wood finish arguably has just as big of an effect on the wood’s durability as the Janka rating of the wood itself, so this is another crucial factor to consider.
Woods with matte, satin, or oil-based polyurethane finishes tend to fare the best as these finishes provide increased durability, have varying degrees of water resistance, and can help hide minor scratches when they do occur.
Every wood has a slightly different grain pattern that can have a huge impact on how well the wood can hide scratches, dents, and other imperfections. If you have a dog, you generally want wood with a prominent grain pattern because these more pronounced patterns make blemishes and natural wear and tear much less noticeable.
In addition to the grain pattern, the color of the wood or finish can also have a huge effect on how noticeable scratches and dents might be. While dark woods may look nice, any damage that they sustain will be much more noticeable than if you were to choose a lighter wood or finish instead.
At the end of the day, there is no one single best wood flooring for dogs, and it's all down to personal opinion. The good news is that this means you have plenty of options to choose from, all of which have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages.
If you’re looking to install new flooring in your home but aren’t sure where to start, here are just a few of the best wood flooring options for dog owners.
Brazilian walnut has a Janka rating of 3,680, making it the strongest wood flooring on this list. While it is on the more expensive side, Brazilian walnut’s durability and strength make it ideal for homes with large dogs who love to run around and have fun.
Hard maple is another classic option that’s incredibly popular in homes both with and without dogs. Though it’s not nearly as strong as Brazilian walnut, it is scratch-resistant, attractive, and perfect for homeowners with an ordinary amount of dog traffic.
While bamboo isn’t technically a wood, it does provide a similar texture and look that, when paired with its above-average strength, makes it another solid option for dog owners.
Red Oak has a distinctive look that goes well with the interiors of most homes. It also boasts an above-average Janka rating and a prominent grain pattern that makes it great at preventing and covering up any damage that your dog might cause.
Ash is another great wood flooring option for dog owners. It has a lighter, less distinctive color, as well as a more pronounced grain pattern and comparable durability to that of oak.
Are you looking for the best waterproof, scratch-proof flooring for your home? Give us a call at (484) 509-1826 or contact us on our website, mydadsflooringamerica.com. Our team of flooring experts is always here to answer questions and will happily help you pick the perfect dog-proof flooring for your home. We can even offer samples so that you can compare and contrast them before you make your final decision.
Don’t let your new flooring aspirations fall by the wayside. Contact My Dad’s Flooring America and take the first step toward getting your home the new beautiful flooring you’ve always dreamed of today!
