Do you have wood floors?

adeinert · #1 07-14-2004, 10:06 PM

Hi all!
I am considering building a new home and who else to ask for advice but the boxerworld crew!

I currently have all tile floors and it's just not my style. I really want the look of wood. I don't want the wood looking tile as it's not smooth enough for easy cleaning. I really want wood. I have compared laminates and hardwood and it seems that laminates are not suggested if you are going to live in the home for a long time and not want to replace the floors.

Anyone have cork? So far, I haven't seen it in person, and wonder what a crew of boxers would do to that?!?

I have read about bamboo being very strong. So, please share your stories of scratches, cleaning, and your general satisfaction with your floors please!

Thanks a ton!
Ashlie and the twelve feet excited to tear around their new home!!!

Ronin1 · #2 07-14-2004, 10:31 PM

We put hardwood floors in our home about six years ago. At the time, we had two boxers. There are scratch marks in the floor from doggie toe nails, and a couple of black spots where water sat too long on it. (Oh well - life happens.) It is however, very easy to clean (just a mix of Vinegar and water) and the scratches, etc. can be fixed by getting it refinished. My IL's just remodeled their kitchen - they had Bamboo floors put in: it's absolutely beautiful. I'm told it's very strong, and they got some outrageous guarantee on it too. They do not have a dog however, so can't compare it in that respect. Another plus about hardwoods is that my DH and I have allergies, so having wall to wall carpeting is just out of the question for us! Have fun with whatever decision you make!

Nicolette99 · #3 07-14-2004, 10:32 PM

We love our wood floors. There's so many reasons to love them!

1. Doggie messes are a LOT easiest to clean up on wood than carpet. (Our upstairs is all light carpet. We've lived here 3 years and it needs to be replaced already.)

2. The darker wood stains hide any stubborn marks (from the dog or not).

3. If there is a scratch, hardware stores sell pens to fill in the scratched area. Hardwood floors can also be sanded and restained if they begin to show wear.

4. They're more entertaining than carpeting. It's hilarious to watch our puppy Panzer run, I mean slip, on the floors.

Our entire second floor and 3 flights of stairs are hardwood with a dark stain. Panzer's brindle matches the grain and color almost perfectly so we say he has camouflage!

luvmydog · #4 07-15-2004, 06:39 AM

It is pretty funny to watch them on it. But I'm just not happy with the wood floors. We've been here for 2 years and they look awful with all of the scratches. We've tried using the pen to fill in the color, but it's just not the same. Now, it may just have to do with the color of the wood too. We have the dark maple floors and the scratched are very visible whereas some of my friends have the lighter colored floors and you can't see the scratches at all unless you get down on the floor and really look for them. And I also having big dents from just dropping spoons and stuff in the kitchen. We are looking into replacing all of our hardwood and carpet with textured tile.

Annie

**courtney323** · #5 07-15-2004, 08:13 AM

We have Oak hardwood floors in our house, and we recently had them refinished (less than a year and a half ago). My boxer has since scratched them up!

From a resale/investment standpoint, hardwood floors are preferable to laminates. But it really just is a personal preference.

You can always get your hardwood floor re-finished, but your Boxer will continue to scratch them up a bit!

How would you feel about a natural stone (maybe a travertine, or a slate flooring)?? A bit more expensive per sqaure foot, but it will hold up very nicely and may make your house sell better in the long run!

Tulsa-Dan · #6 07-15-2004, 09:35 AM

We moved from a fully carpeted apt. to a house with wood floors. I must say that the girls HATE the wood floors and don't run around the house anymore like they did in the apartment. When they want to play, the go outside now (on their own, I didn't require it of them). Thus, I don't have many scratches and they seem to only walk and sleep on the floors (cooler than carpet in summer). I have area rugs for high traffic paths, and they have their own "spots" where they like to chew bones and roll around on the carpets, but they pretty much behave much better in the house with wood flooring.

Just my experience.

Kbryant · #7 07-15-2004, 10:31 AM

I have a light stained red oak floor in my entire downstairs. I wouldn't trade it for anything! There are VERY few scratches and they weren't from the dogs. I do keep their nails clipped on a regular basis so maybe that's why. Also, they are easy to clean. My pups did slide on them in the beginning but now they don't anymore since they are used to them. I have been in my house almost 3 years and already have to rip out all of the upstairs (light) carpeting. (just like nicolette99) I'm putting in wood everywhere except the bedrooms. It is great to have. If I ever build again, it'll be wood again for me! Good luck. I'd be interested to hear what you decide to do. karen

marciafinn · #8 07-15-2004, 01:18 PM

I grew up in a home with wood floors and just moved into a home with wood again. The home I just moved out of was wall to wall carpeting in the bedrooms, which were in the basement and very damp so they were moldy. I was renting which is why I never replaced them. I prefer wood for many reasons - easier to clean, the look, are just a few. I haven't seen the bamboo flooring yet either...good luck.

**courtney323** · #9 07-16-2004, 08:24 AM

I should add something:

In our house that we are selling, we have (as I mentioned) Oak hardwood floors downstairs, and we have berber carpet upstairs.

My dogs are waaaaaay more comfortable running around and playing upstairs, because they don't slide around so much. However, even though they scratch up our hardwood floors, doggie messes are waaaaaaaaay easier to clean up on the hardwood floors so that is definitely a PLUS.

Maddie threw up on our carpet upstairs and I am STILL unable to get the stain out. She has thrown up numerous times on the hardwoods and peed, too and it comes right up! So this is definitely something to consider.

But as I mentioned before, how do you feel about traverine (marble), or slate, limestone, or some other natural stone flooring? It would be more expensive up front, but lots more durable in the long run. Just a thought!

kirabug · #10 07-16-2004, 09:59 AM

We have wood, tile, and one room with wood laminate. The wood does get scratched, but to us it is not a big deal, the tile the dogs love to lay on when it is warm out side...keeps them cool (I am sure marble or slate would be the same thing) The laminate wood flooring is not suppose to scratch, but we would not know because the dogs are super scared of that floor, it is much more slick than regular wood and kind of echos. I love all the flooring because it is easy to clean...and muddy feet no big deal.

If you are really intrested in wood floors and want to keep them scratch free you may want to look at those nail covers I have seen in like Fosters and Smith or Petco, they are a little plastic cover you glue onto your dogs nails to help avoid scratching, I have never used them but it may be an idea. I am sure your vet or someone on here would know if they are safe and effective to use.

Good luck!

Ang & Kira