I have two dogs and am looking for the best looking laminate floors available. Cost is not of concern. I would love wood, but the dogs will destroy it and that would be too frustrating to bare. I will put this product in every room except bedrooms and bathrooms.

Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: treepop,

This is kind of like asking which color is best. You ask 10 people and you will get 10 answers.

What you need is a laminate with a hard, long wearing surface. Check the wear layer on the types you are considering. Get a sample and test with a nail (like your dog nails).

We bought a very cheap laminate for a house we did not intend to stay in long. My dog does not walk when he can run and thinks he has to turn on a dime. And he is not above scrambling to try to get his footing on what he thinks is a slippery floor. Even the cheap stuff has held up wonderfully.

After 5 years the only scrape on the floor is from a chair leg when the felt pad fell off unseen.

So you can almost buy what you like the looks of.

Is there a certain brand I should be looking for? Maybe a place you recommend buying it? Lowes and Home Depot Laminate flooring are not very nice looking.

I would just like some direction on finding quality flooring, and not having to go through all the cheap crud. Or stuff that looks nice, but is made poorly.

Maybe some key things I should look for when purchasing flooring?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: treepop,

I like laminate and my study - where I am now - has a laminate floor. My experience laying it is that there are many good brands available. I am cautious about home center brands since they are made to a price rather than quality.

I suggest you talk to a laminate store and see what you can learn. They are more concerned about the life guarantee than a big box store. Particularly look at the joints since they will determine how well it stays together and survives water spills.

Our experience is that laminate holds up better under dogs than does hardwood. Its fun to watch a dog race around on a laminate floor and slide at the turns!

The stuff @ Costco, is top shelf stuff.

Nice in-register texture and easy installation.

Costco brand is what I have here and I like it, But this is a low traffic area.