How to Choose Wooden Flooring for a Pet-Friendly Home: Ensuring Scratch and Stain Resistance

 Wooden flooring  is a beautiful way to enhance your living space and can add value to your property when it comes time to sell. Many home buyers avoid carpets as they see them as a petri dish for germs and allergy provoking spores and prefer wooden floors instead. Wooden floors can last for generations if they are well-maintained.

Several different wood types to choose

There are several different wood types to choose from so that you can find the perfect floor to suit your personal style and home décor. The species, grain pattern and stain colour all influence the look and durability of your floor.

 Wooden floors also provide superior acoustics

Unlike a carpet that can become dated very quickly, wood floors will last for years and will continue to look stylish even when other décor changes. Wooden floors also provide superior acoustics and will prevent sound from echoing like other floor coverings can.

Solid wood floors are the traditional choice 

Solid wood floors are the traditional choice and offer a natural and luxurious finish to any room. The different grain patterns of the wood give the room a unique appearance and are suitable for a range of interior styles from rustic to contemporary.

Different types of domestic and imported hardwoods

There are many different types of domestic and imported hardwoods from which to choose. The species will have a significant impact on the cost and durability of your floor, but you can also influence the visual characteristics by selecting the grain pattern and saw cut, as well as the stains and finishes used.

Most popular timber used for wooden flooring

The most popular timber used for wooden flooring is ash or oak. Both are very durable and can be stained to match a variety of colour schemes.

Other popular options include pine, hickory and walnut. Pine offers a more subtle and neutral finish, while hickory has dramatic grain patterns. Walnut is a dark option that brings warmth to any space.

Wooden floors can be sanded and refinished

Wooden flooring  can be sanded and refinished to restore them to their original condition and they will continue to look good for decades if you refinish them regularly. However, they are more susceptible to swelling and shrinking than an engineered alternative such as LVT or Durable wood alternatives.

Easy it is to maintain your floor 

You can also decide between a matte, satin, semi-gloss and gloss sheen level when you buy your wooden flooring. The sheen level will determine how easy it is to maintain your floor and how much light it reflects.

choose a quality product that can be refinished 

It is important to choose a quality product that can be refinished when it becomes worn or damaged as this will protect your investment. If you do not have the budget to invest in a solid wood floor then opt for an engineered option with a thick wear layer as this will be more durable.

Conclusion

Wooden floors are very easy to clean and maintain, spillages can be easily wiped away and they will not retain unpleasant odours that can happen with some other floor coverings. They are also less likely to harbour parasites such as fleas, ticks and dust mites and this will be especially beneficial for pet owners or people with allergies.