Best Flooring for a Family?

11 years ago

We are in the midst of a total renovation and could really use advice as we attempt to pick out flooring for our entire first floor. We will be using the same material for our foyer, dining room, kitchen and family room as it is an open floor plan. We have been looking at hardwood options (including engineered) and recently started to think about Muse Strand bamboo flooring. Our designer loves Navarre flooring but I'm a little concerned about the Janka scoring. The house has a slightly rustic feel while maintaining some classic features. Here are our constraints...3 very young and active boys, a large chocolate lab, and a kitchen island that is a grey stain directly in the middle of the house. Durability is huge but this is our forever home and I really want to get the look right! Any advice would be much appreciated!

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PRO

Patricia Colwell Consulting

11 years ago

Big dogs and hardwood are not always the best choice but some are more forgiving than others I think . We have 2 large dogs and we actually went with a laminate that looks xactly like slate people even touch it to make sure because it even has some texture this floor has stood up to the dogs grandkids in and out of the pool parties where ladies where their high heels it is now 8 yrs, old and still looks just like new.I think this flooring could be used in some very different environments we just happen to like contemporary.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Select Hardwood Floor Co.
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
3 things come to mind
Specie
Finish "style"
Finish product (seal & topcoat).

There are sooooo many options in hardwood flooring that will answer your demands.
Of course, I'm biased...
But I'll objectively submit that... not too long ago I spent time at some friends house who had just had some "laminate flooring" installed throughout the home because it was sold as "dog friendly"... (they have two... a "spaz" Maltie & JR Terrier...)

But after two days of listening to the CONSTANT hollow "clicking" of the dogs nails as they energetically ran back & forth at the drop of a hat... I just HAD to find a bridge to stay under for the remainder of the trip.
Of course... they thought it was "something they'd get used to".

Last conversation suggests that they HAVE NOT.
Oh... and don't allow ANY water to seep into the joints of a laminate floor... granted the top is plastic... but the points where the pieces come together (joints) are the WEAK link!
No melted ice cubes, standing pet piddle, etc...
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hayleydaniels
11 years ago
My in-laws put laminate in several years ago, and the clicking sound of their nailing hitting the floor drives my husband nuts when he's over there.
PRO
Select Hardwood Floor Co.
11 years ago
@hayleydaniels...
I feel his pain... dogs are GREAT... but that incessant "click-click-clicking..." is almost worse than nails on a chalkboard.
(however, I'm probably dating myself, because many people haven't had the gut wrenching experience of hearing or feeling that... lol)
regina5697
11 years ago
We have 3 dogs (2 large, 1 smallish). The natural slate tile in our eat-in kitchen has proven the test of time both durability and style wise. We seal it with a penetrating stone sealer once every 2 years, wet wash often and vacuum daily.
User
11 years ago
Agreed, as beautiful as it is, the resiliency of hardwood will become an issue down the line. Another alternative you may consider is this, http://www.houzz.com/projects/744356/luxury-vinyl-planks
It's beautiful, low maintenance and extremely resilient.
Spaces by Other Metro Carpet & Flooring WPB Carpet and Flooring
flopsycat1
11 years ago
My in-laws have a beautiful modern house and two large dogs. They chose strand bamboo for the upper floor and concrete on the main level. Both have stood up very well, although the bamboo was not used in any wet areas. Does anyone else have experience with this type of more durable bamboo?