Best flooring for living room when two dogs live here?

krlyr

I buy bicarbonate by the 2kg bag for cleaning, and scatter some on the rugs to deodourise. Literally scatter, leave for a couple of hours and hoover up - stops the rooms getting too pongy (they're too big to go in the wash, though they can be hosed/pressure-washed outside)

Katiehound

I've just had vinyl laid in my dining room and hall and I love it. It is a cheaper version of Karndean called TLC Forest. Looks just like wood with wood grain and so smart as the fitters made a feature with border and the diagonal centre at no extra cost . So easy to clean! The hall carpet took a hammering over the years with 2 or 3 dogs and looked really scruffy with the inevitable stains. The "planks" are glued down so very little toe tapping noise compared with laminate. Dogs haven't had a problem skidding on it. This stuff is being laid in shops so it should be hard wearing.
If I was going to redo the living room would choose vinyl with a large rug and do away with the carpet.
This is it:
http://www.iloveflooring.co.uk/c74886/tlc-true-forest-collection.html
and no, I am not on commission!!

moneylover

what is the paw wax talked about?

neveranymoney

Shadow pup knows nothing else but the laminate so is grand with it, ours is just a cheapy one and you do get what you pay for.

Scampers wasn't used to laminate and dogs that's aren't don't seem to like it and do have a tendency to skate up it and bang into things. When he had his funny half hour and zoomies, he was like scooby do as he couldn't find purchase and was in full run mode but couldn't get anywhere.

We have an old rug that only comes out in 'fire lighting season' and I have to say, even Shadow goes to it or the bottom carpeted stair if she has something to chew on as default.

zaksmum

I do get Lucy's claws clipped as she goes to the groomers, but Jack doesn't need to go as he moults whereas Lucy's fur just grows longer.

His claws are kept naturally short due to the amount of running around he does - he goes everywhere with me and has four walks a day.

I suppose the distressed looking wood floors wouldn't show claw marks - Jack doesn't like the feel of the wood in my son's house and walks sort of on his toes when he's there and their own mad chocolate labrador hasn't left any marks.

The shiny laminate might be different but I'll get a price for the proper wood flooring and decide what to get tomorrow.

neveranymoney

I would dearly love proper wooden floors, another thing I noticed is that my living room is definitely colder feeling since the carpet was lifted and I don't think that happens with real wood.

You might find the actual flooring isn't the most expensive part, but the laying of it, unless you are lucky enough to be handy or have a handy man close by! My husband can turn his hand to most things but wouldn't have been confident to do the cutting etc with such fiddly corners as we have in this mad house.

zaksmum

That's one of my worries. My husband thinks he CAN lay the wood flooring himself.

They have a cheapo version in B&M bargains and he reckons he'll save a fortune in doing-it-himself.

To say my blood runs cold at the very idea is a massive understatement.

paddypaws101

I have varnished old floorboards and although they have been well and truly battered by my gang of cats galloping around on them, I do think that it adds to the charm rather than looking too scruffy.
The strongest argument against carpets is IMHO, the smell! I just don't think you can ever totally expunge that doggy (or catty! ) smell from a carpeted house.

zaksmum

paddypaws101 wrote: »

I have varnished old floorboards and although they have been well and truly battered by my gang of cats galloping around on them, I do think that it adds to the charm rather than looking too scruffy.
The strongest argument against carpets is IMHO, the smell! I just don't think you can ever totally expunge that doggy (or catty! ) smell from a carpeted house.

You're probably right:( I do vacuum every day but still...!

ali-t

Another vote for Karndean/Amtico type flooring. I have had this in my last 2 houses and it is fairly indestructable. I have another similar type product upstairs in my house but can't remember what it is called - they only do rustic type wood effect vinyl strips and are like Karndean but cheaper.

I would never go back to carpet and the only place in the house I have carpet is the stairs as I can't find an alternative.