We have hardwood, and I love it, but it not so much about the wood, it's about the finish or sealer, and some finishes are far superior to others. If your wood was prefinished, it's probably done with polyurethane that has a plastic type of material that actually sits on top of the wood. Polyurethane is one of the strongest finishes and factory finishes are usually done with many coats, and special dryers. Other types of finishes such as varnish aren't quite as strong, but many people prefer the look, and they can be further protected with waxes, but this is a real chore, and the reason so many people went back to wall to wall carpeting. There are also oil finishes that sink into the pores of the wood, and offer some protection against water. Oil finishes mixed with polyurethane, such as Waterlox, give some of the best results, and touch ups are relatively easy if something does go wrong.
Joey wasn't ever tempted to go on the wood floor like he was with carpet, and we found that he would always go to the pee pad instead of using the wood. With carpet, it took longer for him to choose the pad. We have a dog that visits who marks and he loves the wood, but so far no damage. |