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Has anyone any experience with this wood as flooring in the house? I understand it is the hardest wood and want to put hardwood down in the living room and master bedroom. I have dogs so need a hard wood.
It is used as flooring but because of its hardness can be difficult to work with. The scratching thing makes sense so what do you think would be the best wood to use in a household that will always have dogs? A wood that wouldn't show the inevitable scratches so much or would engineered be the way to go? I appreciate any opinions.
That's not true. Bamboo is harder when it's older, but popularity is causing it to be harvested younger, when it's mush softer. Bamboo doesn't last a month with dogs or heals or moving furniture. Light wear and tear can destroy bamboo in a year. As a result, I wouldn't want to risk trusting a company's word that their bamboo floors are made from old growth, unless I was willing to go through the installation process again under warranty.
That's not true. Bamboo is harder when it's older, but popularity is causing it to be harvested younger, when it's mush softer. Bamboo doesn't last a month with dogs or heals or moving furniture. Light wear and tear can destroy bamboo in a year. As a result, I wouldn't want to risk trusting a company's word that their bamboo floors are made from old growth, unless I was willing to go through the installation process again under warranty.
Well, that's only half-truth.
It depends on what type of bamboo flooring you're talking about.
Strip engineered flooring is the cheapest and the least hardest. It consists of a 1/8" or less face of actual bamboo strips. Then there's vertical and horizonal strip "solid" flooring. It consists of strips that are pressed together with heat and glues in either a vertical or horizonal format. It creates a much stronger flooring material.
Then the strongest is woven. They use the fibers of bamboo, twist and weave them together then use the heat and pressure means of curing. This produces a very strong and durable flooring material.
As for the OP's question of Ipe- it's been used for many years as decking material; at least for those that can afford it! And I have seen a T&G variety that is used for interior flooring. But here's the catch:
The wood "itself" is damn near indestructible- it's the finish that is put on it that catches Hell from dogs, heels, and other foot traffic sources. As with any wood, with some being harder than others it's not the material per say it the type of finish that's applied.
The wood "itself" is damn near indestructible- it's the finish that is put on it that catches Hell from dogs, heels, and other foot traffic sources. As with any wood, with some being harder than others it's not the material per say it the type of finish that's applied.
100% true! This is one of the biggest misconceptions with floor-buying imo. People get so caught up in the "hardness" of the wood when thinking about pets. And, while hardness is a factor in general for wear, scratches from typical use and animals is really all about the FINISH on top of the wood.
^^
Along those lines then, what is the best finish/wood, hardwood or engineered wood that would be reasonable for dogs? I am going in circles trying to figure out what to do for the best!! I suppose one that can be easily sanded when the appearance gets too bad?
Hardness does matter. Dogs can GOUGE soft wood regardless of the quality of the finish. If you have a gouge, more wood needs to be sanded away to refinish it.
The best choice is a hardwood with as many layers of finish as possible. That way it has more layers to go through before a dog's nails is scratching the actual wood. You'd definitely want hardwood instead of engineered. Engineered is limited in how far it can be sanded because it's basically a veneer. Solid hardwood is real wood for the entire thickness.
If you keep your dog's nails trimmed so you can't hear him walk across the floor. That protects the floor and it's good for your dog's feet and ankles too.
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