skip to main content

with 2 Cats：Engineered wood floors or SPC floors？

3 months ago

I’m trying to decide between engineered wood floors and SPC floors for my home renovation, but I’m stuck. I have 2 cats, so durability and maintenance are big concerns.

The engineered wood floors look natural and beautiful, but I’m concerned about how they’ll hold up with my cats—scratches, spills, etc.

SPC floors seem more durable and water-resistant, but I’m worried they won’t give the same aesthetic as wood.

Has anyone had experience with either type of floor, especially with pets?What type of flooring are you using? Any brands you’d recommend? I'd love to hear the details!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Featured Answer

PRO

windy ying

3 months ago

We have SPC flooring in our home, and it’s been great—especially with pets. The best part is that it’s waterproof, super durable, and scratch-resistant, so I don’t worry about spills or my pets’ claws. Engineered wood looks beautiful, but it might show scratches more easily. I’d say think about your budget and what matters most to you: durability or a more natural look.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

Richard Harris
Original Author
3 months ago
@windy ying Honestly, I want both durability and a great look! It's tough to choose between the two, but I feel like a balance of both would be perfect. just so torn about this...
0
Related Discussions
2 layers of wood under the floor?? Screwing every 1 foot of floor?
Q
Comments (18)
@Creative....Yah... in Canada we "assume" that permanent flooring will be used (tile/vinyl, etc) and therefore START OFF with the two layers...If the homeowner then chooses a nail-in-place floor then they are better off. The problems come in when only ONE layer is used and then "Uh Oh. Spaghetti-O. We need another layer because "stone" has been requested for the entrance/hall/dining!" Builder's try that one as often as they can....sigh.
...See More
Terracota tiles with SPC wood flooring
Q
Comments (2)
All of the floor samples look almost identical in color, except the last one is a bit darker. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them! #3 is probably my favorite because it has less grain.
...See More
Number of repeat patterns in LVP (SPC) flooring
Q
Comments (4)
When I was helping bring in 'printed' lines (ie. laminate or vinyl) I would often hear '7' or '8' plank repeats. That's the average (this is 5 years ago...but I'm guessing the same is true). There are companies that make 'indefinite' patterns. That is to say, they do NOT repeat. It is a SUPER expensive way of creating flooring. It takes one HECK of a computer system and a printing process that is second to none. The 'off the shelf' makes that you list don't have this technology. The Swiss laminate or vinyl producers have them. The laminate starts at $5 - $7/sf. The vinyl is even more expensive. But the cost isn't the issue (if repeats are your BIGGEST concern) it is FINDING the flooring companies that CARRY these Bastions of Perfection. Good luck.
...See More
Can you redo a section of click lock SPC flooring?
Q
Comments (3)
In *theory it can be done...but in practice it is a massive PITA. You need to assume you will loose all the planks you pull (the click edges on vinyl are EXTREMELY BRITTLE and break just by looking at them) and a few of the one's around the area as well. It is very hard to 'reverse' new planks into place. Example: the planks you want to pull are on the STARTING wall. That means they started with this wall and then finished the room on the opposite wall. To pull the planks at the start wall is easy enough...but clicking them BACK into place is a 'reverse' install. It is a DAMN DIFFICULT thing to do with laminate...and near impossible for the vinyl. Again, to the point of ruining 3-5 more planks than you thought you needed. My personal choice ('cause I'm lazy and I'm cheap...yah...I said it ;-]) is to ask for a discount. It should be worth the value of the LABOUR they would have to give you plus the cost of the 'planks' that were laid inappropriately. If they mislaid 7 planks (let's imagine that's a box = 16sf), then they owe you 16sf (whatever you paid for per square foot price) and the cost to remove the planks and reinstall them). The 'going rate' for a 'spot fix' or small job = $50/hour. That's where you end the negotiations...not start them. That's what the 'fix' is worth to them. Remember: it is a good thing to have money in the bank after a renovation.
...See More
Related Professionals
Melbourne Flooring Contractors · Monroeville Flooring Contractors · Palm Springs Flooring Contractors · Temecula Flooring Contractors · Charlottesville Tile and Stone Contractors · Berea Carpet Dealers · Murraysville General Contractors · Alamo General Contractors · Barrington General Contractors · Coronado General Contractors · Gloucester City General Contractors · Hampton General Contractors · Meadville General Contractors · Solon General Contractors · Westchester General Contractors
PRO
Minardi
3 months ago
Wood look tile. Lowest lifecycle cost that exists. Most durable choice that exists.
0
dan1888
3 months ago
If you do consider lvp, it's recommended to buy and layout a box o avoid suprise tonal variations and stripiness a sample won't show. Not all product has the same scratch resistance. You can use fork tines across the surface of a sample to compare different manufacturers and quality levels. Checking the robustness of the click system is also necessary. There are differences in lvp. I tested 18 Vinyl Planks from a Big Box Store and it AINT PRETTY

There are different widths and visual grades for engineered wood plank. For example, European Oak can be flat cut to show a lot of grain structure as rustic or prime.

Unfinished is available to add your own quality finish with hardener.
0
PRO
windy ying
3 months ago
@Richard Harris

We have Vellichor flooring at home, and I think it's a great value for the price – it's really durable. They have a wide variety of styles, and they offer both engineered wood and SPC options. If you're interested, you could check out some samples at stores near you.
Richard Harris
Original Author
3 months ago
@windy ying Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll look into it and see if it fits what I'm looking for.
0
Richard Harris
Original Author
3 months ago
@dan1888 Thanks for the professional advice, I'll give it a shot.
0
Richard Harris
Original Author
2 months ago
@Minardi Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m not a fan of wood-look tile. The cold, hard surface and the texture just don’t work for me.
0
PRO
Monique
2 months ago
Tile is by far the best permanent choice. None of the floating floors will last a decade. All

of the plastic just ends up in a landfill.
0

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES Your Floor: An Introduction to Solid-Plank Wood Floors

Get the Pros and Cons of Oak, Ash, Pine, Maple and Solid Bamboo

REMODELING GUIDES When to Use Engineered Wood Floors

See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you)

REMODELING GUIDES What to Know About Engineered Wood Floors

By South Hill Interiors

Engineered wood flooring offers classic looks and durability. It can work with a range of subfloors, including concrete

FLOORS How to Care for Engineered Wood Flooring

By Amanda Pollard

Keep your wood floor looking its best with these tips and tricks from the experts

SHOP HOUZZ Trade Pricing: Wood Flooring

Source real and engineered wood to lay a foundation that’s sturdy and stylish

0

REMODELING GUIDES Laminate Floors: Get the Look of Wood (and More) for Less

See what goes into laminate flooring and why you just might want to choose it

DECORATING GUIDES What Goes With Dark Wood Floors?

By Laura Gaskill

Avoid a too-heavy look or losing your furniture in a sea of darkness with these ideas for decor pairings

REMODELING GUIDES Your Floors: Zebra, Tiger, and Teak Wood, Oh, My!

Get the Pros and Cons of Exotic Woods: Hickory, Cherry, Rosewood and More

DECORATING GUIDES Isn’t It Good, Nordic Wood: The Appeal of Pale Floors

From silvery ash to honey blonde or chalk white, light-toned floors hold the key to the pared-back simplicity of Scandinavian style

FLOORS What's the Right Wood Floor Installation for You?

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Straight, diagonal, chevron, parquet and more. See which floor design is best for your space

Sponsored

United Residential Contractors

22 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractor in Loudoun County, Virgina

More Discussions

Bamboo Flooring

13

Click LVP vs glue down vinyl

2

matte or polished marble/porcelain on hall bath floors? thanks!

4

Scratch Proof Engineered Wood

8

Mohawk Rev Wood Outerbanks

2