You're 100% correct. So that's why, instead of steering you to ceramic tile or a similarly scratch-proof surface, we have to seriously deal with the question of which wood floor is best for your dog. What's the problem at hand...or paw? Claws are the main issue unless you're prepared to declaw your Golden. Urine is next. Maybe that's not an issue with your dog (great), but then we have the added issues of mud, dirt, rocks.
All of those things still pale in comparison to claw-induced scratches. Put out as many runners as you like: Your dog will not remain confined to them, guaranteed.
What types of flooring can keep scratches at bay?
Pre-finished, hardwoods. Hardwoods, not soft. Soft wood such as pine or fir are poor choices for houses with dogs. No amount of surface prep can shield against dog claws.
Solid hardwood, not engineered wood. Engineered wood flooring is a sandwich of laminated wood with a real hardwood veneer on top. Engineered wood flooring is a superior product, but it raises red flags for a dog-inhabited homes. Engineered wood can take only a limited number of light sandings. Scratch marks might be able to be sanded down hard; once. A second deep sanding poses a risk of exposing the structural wood beneath.
A few types of wood will work best are:
Brazilian Walnut or Ipe: This type of Palatine hardwood flooring is universally hard and dense. Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Ipe, often called Brazilian walnut, is hard enough that it's even used on exterior decks.
Brazilian Walnut or Ipe: This type of Palatine hardwood flooring is universally hard and dense. Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Ipe, often called Brazilian walnut, is hard enough that it's even used on exterior decks.
Hard Maple: If you're looking for flooring on the domestic front, hard maple may be the way to go. Hard maple has long been used as a surface for basketball courts, so it should stand up well to pet traffic. Hard maple can hit a Janka rating of 1,450 or higher. Don't confuse hard maple with just any old maple. It's a specific type, alternately called sugar or rock maple.
Bamboo: Strand-Woven and FossilizedBamboo is a grass, not a wood, but in the flooring industry it is often classified as wood and can be subjected to a Janka test, too.
Bamboo flooring is very durable, but only as a result of the manufacturing process that impregnates the grass with hard resins. I mention the Cali brand of bamboo flooring because its Janka rating is an astronomical 5,000. Compare this to a Janka of 2,000 to 3,000 for conventional strand-woven bamboo flooring.
If you want a quote on sanding your scratched Hardwood floors, or replacing soft wood floors with a hardwood alternative, give Chicagoland Pro a call at (630) 217-2748.