Is bamboo tough enough for a big dog?


  #1  
Old 06-13-16, 06:39 AM
G
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MI
Posts: 2,364
Upvotes: 0
Received 2 Upvotes on 2 Posts
Is bamboo tough enough for a big dog?

Before I invested the bucks 20 years ago to replace my 1st floor with hardwood I researched it and installed a pre-finished solid oak floating floor (from Bruce). The finish itself has been as tough as claimed but my 50 pound dog has dented the oak with his claws so completely that it always looks dull and worn out.
I don't want the same thing to happen to my cottage when I re-floor it. Sources I've read claim bamboo is the hardest wood floor and is the best choice to stand up to the abuse from a pet, while not causing injury to the animal like can happen with tile & stone floors.
Confirm/deny?
 
  #2  
Old 06-13-16, 09:09 AM
C
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 3,167
Received 169 Upvotes on 137 Posts
The Janka hardness scale is used to measure the resistance of various woods to denting or indentation. Bamboo is quite a bit harder than red or white oak in this respect. IPE is a lot harder than bamboo and is available in interior flooring, so you may want to look at that.

You will still need to choose a very tough finish on the flooring to prevent finish damage.

Good luck with your project!
 
  #3  
Old 06-13-16, 07:51 PM
G
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MI
Posts: 2,364
Upvotes: 0
Received 2 Upvotes on 2 Posts
Hmmm...I remember seeing a pocket-size durometer tester at work. If it works in the approximate range I can take that shopping and test the samples in the stores.
 
  #4  
Old 06-13-16, 08:29 PM
J
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 4,463
Received 128 Upvotes on 113 Posts
Where are you getting this info that a tile floor is going to harm the dog?
We have two older dogs that run around like there on fire on tiles floors and yes they slip sometimes but never once have they been hurt.
No refinishing, no dents in the floor, simple clean up.
 
  #5  
Old 06-14-16, 03:03 AM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
I installed 5" handscraped bamboo engineered flooring in our bedroom and a 48 lb Lab and 40 lb shepherd mix have yet to put a scratch on it. I recommend it for the hardness.
 
  #6  
Old 06-14-16, 04:13 AM
Norm201's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 10,956
Received 721 Upvotes on 640 Posts
In addition, today's laminated flooring are very good at scratch resistance. Our dogs (past and present) have skidded across that floor so many times that they actually moved one of the cupboards. I know many will not agree with me but I would not think twice about using a name brand laminate flooring and never worry about scratching.
 
  #7  
Old 06-14-16, 09:17 AM
G
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MI
Posts: 2,364
Upvotes: 0
Received 2 Upvotes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by joecaption
We have two older [parents] that run around like there on fire on tiles floors and yes they slip sometimes but never once have they been hurt.
Somehow doesn't sound so harmless anymore.
 
  #8  
Old 06-14-16, 11:41 AM
czizzi's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 6,541
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
There are different types of bamboo flooring - solid, stranded and engineered. And like all things, come in differing grades - some being harder and more scratch resistant. So, perform your research knowing that all bamboo is not created equal. Pay particular attention to the warranty and how they spell out animal scratches to the finish.
 
  #9  
Old 06-14-16, 11:55 AM
S
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WI/MN
Posts: 19,125
Received 1,263 Upvotes on 1,204 Posts
A buddy of mine put bamboo in his kitchen and his two ~40 lb dogs have scratched the heck out of it. Like Z said, there are differences so make sure you get the right one.
 
  #10  
Old 06-14-16, 12:02 PM
czizzi's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 6,541
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
What's with all these small dogs? My Chocolate Lab is 125 lbs. and a big baby (he was the runt of the litter).
 
  #11  
Old 06-14-16, 02:21 PM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
You call your horse a chocolate lab?? Molly is the one that got snake bit last week. She's fine, but wary of the creek banks, now.

Name:  molly.jpg
Views: 109
Size:  15.7 KB
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: