Believe it or not I faced the same issue... and looked at the new vinyl plank systems but was disappointed by the display wear and tear. (Macy is actually my lab/German shepherd) I am not a laminate fan... and my house is on a slab so tile floors in the winter in Indiana would be FREEZING!!

I went with a sheet vinyl from Mannington and have LOVED it. It looks like slate and has held up beautifully... and I love the contrast with the white trim. Everyone who visits automatically bends down to touch the floor to see if it's tile and gushes compliments. It was a cost effective solution for our dog traffic... and the best part is it shows no paw prints and minimal pet hair.

Our house is currently on the market so here's the link to see the photos:
http://public.propertylinx.com/templates/media.asp?Uid=334871&MlsNum=2834295

Let me know if you need more info!

Good luck! :)
Heather

Why is tile ruled out? I replaced the old crappy builder's grade sheet vinyl with ceramic tile in my kitchen when the dogs (I have 2 huskies, a rottie, and a lab) scratched it up. The ceramic tile has held up so well that one day, when I can build or remodel a home, I am thinking about ceramic tile throughout the home. I have doggie beds throughout my house, so they always have comfortable places to lay down.

I ruled out tile because it's hard on the dogs when they go to lie down. Tile can be really hard to get a footing on when they go stand up too. And, mostly because I don't like standing on it for long periods. I know I could put down mats or rugs for myself....but the dogs just lay wherever they feel like it...no matter where we put the beds :)

Macysmom...I will check out the display planks at our dealer...and get some to take home too. My wife actually picked out one of the high end Mannington sheet floors....but I just don't know if I want the tile look?

Thanks...

I have congoleum ceramatile, I think it is a composite tile, was easy to install and I LOVE it! It has held up well during our renovation (cabinet/appliance installation, etc.) and seems easier to stand on than regular ceramic, it is more pliant and supposedly you can replace damaged ones. They can be grouted or not and our dog (going on 16), only has trouble coming up into the kitchen from the garage, so we keep a rug in that spot so she doesn't slip...

hth

Fern76

I also have a slate/tile look sheet vinyl from Mannington and love it. We went with vinyl because it's comfy on the feet and easy to clean; durable too. I'm not a fan of tile or hardwood in the kitchen, so the vinyl works for us, plus it's warm in the colder months.

Like macysmom, people think we have real tile because it looks that good. We gets tons of compliments.

There is also linoleum (Marmoleum is one brand) that is very similar to vinyl but a natural product. Fewer color choices though but holds up very very well and is a little friendlier to the environment.

We have Marmoleum in our kitchen, back hall, and room that doubles as a mud and craft room, which we love, and a higher end Mannington vinyl (tile look) in our bathrooms, which we also love. People always think it's tile and have to go back for a 2nd look when we mention it's vinyl. Even the appraiser thought it was tile.

I am a Realtor in the Seattle area and have seen lots of floor products. I chose Mannington Sobella vinyl (and my friends were all very curious.) It just got put down last week and it looks beautiful...really very much like slate. It is warmer and cushier than tile and it allowed me to put my money in upper-end cabinets and granite. You want to reach down and touch it to see if it's actually slate! It is a matte finish, so no shiny vinyl look and is somewhat textured.If I could figure out how to add photos, I would do it! :)

We don't have pets, but we got the most expensive Armstrong sheet vinyl recently and love it. Make sure you goet one with NO SHINE. I think they hold up better and look better. It never looks dirty, even when it's not been washed for a while.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions! I guess I need to go back to the flooring store. Luckily, we have plenty of time...no need to rush into anything.

Thanks.

We installed the Allure Trafficmaster vinyl plank floating found at Home Depot. There are several threads in the flooring forum.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/search/nph-ind.cgi?term=allure&forum=flooring&forum_name=Flooring

We like it a lot and its also thick. It will also be easy to remove and replace if necessary and the price is right.

qhound,
We have an 80 lb Golden Retriever & he loves the tile floors. We live in SCAL & he is always stretched out on the porcelain tile (rather than his own bed or other carpeted areas of the house). He likes the coolness... especially in the summer... We have it over a large portion of our downstairs. Jjust a thought.

Good luck!

Our dogs like tile floors in the summer as well. My reason for not wanting tile is mostly because I find it hard to stand on for long periods....and cold in the winter.

I stopped at our flooring place and looked at Mannington Adura vinyl planking. I'm really liking this stuff so far! I have read some good things about it over on the flooring forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mannington Adura

I have had a cork floor in my kitchen for 14 years and love it. My dog isn't allowed in the kitchen but, when I'm not looking, goes in there reguarly to graze. I would like to put it in the whole house, it's great. Very nice to stand on and excellent to clean, which you won't have to do very often. Our skylight has bleached it to a very pretty blond colour but I like it.

You know...cork is one thing I hadn't thought of. That just sounds great for standing on. I've never seen a cork floor in person(I guess I don't get out much)...I'll ask my flooring store about it.