We’ve been asked many times if choosing hardwood floors with pets in the home is a bad idea. Although pet owners do refinish their hardwood more often than non-pet owners in general, that doesn’t mean you should immediately dismiss the possibility of wood floors because you are a pet owner. However, it does mean you need to make intentional choices when it comes to which wood species and finish. Here are some recommendations to consider.
Understand the Janka Hardness Scale
The harder the wood, the more durable. Wood is ranked by hardness on something called the Janka Hardness Scale. A few species to consider for your hardwood floors with pets include:
- Brazilian Cherry
- Brazilian Walnut
- Hickory
- Purpleheart
- Rosewood
Wood flooring from the above species come at a higher price point than some of the other common wood flooring options. Red and white oak are in the middle of the scale and will damage more easily than these but are still not a bad option and more affordable. If you want your flooring to better resist dents and scratches, from pets or people, choose a wood species higher up on the Janka Hardness Scale.
Choose a Protective & Forgiving Finish
Not all wood floors are finished with the same process. A pre-finished hardwood floor has a stronger and more durable finish than one finished on site. During the application of stain and topcoat, factory finished flooring is often UV-cured which hardens it more than air drying in a home. If pre-finished flooring isn’t an option for you, we suggest a lighter color stain with a matte finish. This combination tends to show scratches and other imperfection less than darker higher gloss finishes. As a bonus light matte finishes also show pet hair and dust to a lesser extent too!
Embrace a Not So Perfect Look
Another option for hardwood floors with pets is a distressed wood or even reclaimed wood. These boards are meant to look old and worn. By starting off with an imperfect board to begin with, you can relax when your pet scratches your new flooring. It’s sort of like buying a pre-owned car with a few dings and scratches. When the next one happens, you aren’t as upset as you might be if it had been brand new. Reclaimed wood floors and distressed flooring both continue to grow in popularity because of their rustic look.
Seer Flooring Can Help You Choose Hardwood Flooring with Pets in the Home
As an experienced local flooring company, we can recommend the right wood species, stain, and finish no matter your lifestyle, home, or budget. You can trust our team in any of the three area offices – Sarasota, Palm Harbor, and Clearwater – with all your flooring needs. We offer many different flooring materials if you’re still not sure hardwood flooring with pets is the right flooring for you. Call us today at (727) 469-7963 for your free in-home consultation.