What is the most cost effective flooring given that I have a large dog and two active small children? Our five yo house has solid red oak flooring in the kitchen that already needs refinished due to abuse (it is a really big dog and they are really active kids). We would like to get rid of the oak and the carpet and cover the entire level (1k’) with a wood that better matches the maple kitchen and furnature. Laminate would appear the logical choice, but we are afraid it will look tacky. The house has extensive Georgian trim and I feel a “plastic” floor will look funny. We have ruled out tile because of the cold. Are there alternatives or other species of wood that could handle the abuse?
Thanks guys,
Rich
Replies
You are right. Laminate floor would look tacky. It looks tacky anywhere, not just in a Georgian setting. Different species of wood have different resistance to denting and scratching, but it is the finish rather than the species that makes the most difference in appearance. Prefinished solid or engineered wood is better than finished on site, but a kitchen is a tough environment for any wood floor. Use vinyl in the kitchen, trim the dog's toenails, give your kids Ritalin, and put in cork floors in the rest of the house.
Ditto......on the laminate.
Hardwood! Look, it's the best of the three....
With your active household, it needs annual care. If you stay on top of it, a simple buffer style screening, 220 or so, and a top coat and your done done. Ready to walk on the next day.
Most folks plan on a "screen coat" every couple of years but with your outfit, every year isn't that unusual. I have 4 or so clients that get the treatment every year and plan the work around an out of town trip.
Stik with the hardwood.
Ditto what MarkMc said........
I love hardwood in a house, including the kitchen, have owned 2 homes with hardwod in the kitchen (against the advice of kitchen designers). Both held, or are holding up, well - just need a little TLC every couple of years.
The maintenance schedule will lengthen once the kids grow up a little and the dog dies.
If you are bound and determined to get a bullet-proof floor - go with tile and radiant under floor heat to beat the chilly-s, but it is still hard on the feet.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.