# Recommend laminate/engineered flooring for me and my leaky pets **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 28, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833 "2014-06-28T01:30:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![troubledwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@troubledwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troubledwater)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/1 "2014-06-28T01:30:18Z")
The cats have pretty much destroyed (diarrhea, vomit, urine) the carpet in “their” room. I have always known that when they die I will replace the flooring. Since I just spent a fortune on radioiodine treatment for one of them, I am obviously hoping to have them around for a while longer, but I can’t stand the smell anymore. What kind of wood-like flooring won’t be destroyed by diarrhea or vomit that isn’t necessarily going be cleaned up right away? ---
**Author:** ![Fishtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ed655f/32.png) [@Fishtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fishtar)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/2 "2014-06-28T01:48:33Z")
The solid engineered bamboo Costco has is really tough, and looks good. Also, I like the engineered cork Lowes sells (but it is advised you seal that stuff with an extra coat of polyurethane once it is down, else the cat piss will get into the seams and cause the MDF to swell). Really easy to install. Both are less than $3 a square foot. Costco stuff sometimes $2. [http://www.bambooflooringinstaller.com/strand%20home.html](http://www.bambooflooringinstaller.com/strand%20home.html) > **[Lowe's Home Improvement](https://www.lowes.com?productId=3172665)** > > Shop tools, appliances, building supplies, carpet, bathroom, lighting and more. Pros can take advantage of Pro offers, credit and business resources. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/3 "2014-06-28T02:24:14Z")
We remodeled recently, and installed laminate throughout the house - four kids and two dogs, so accidents and spills are pretty much inevitable. If I had a do-over, I’d choose something with more surface texture, but so far, spills and leaky pets and humans are a breeze to clean up. My mom installed a slate-look laminate about seven years ago, and three dogs plus my often-careless dad haven’t managed to destroy it. (One scratch, easily masked with a couple of magic markers, because my dad decided to shove the 400+ pound safe across the floor instead of waiting for Ma to bring the hand truck.) I have no experience with engineered hardwood, so someone else will have to weigh in there. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/4 "2014-06-28T03:24:31Z")
I think it is all about how much polyurethane is between the vomit and the real floor. ---
**Author:** ![troubledwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@troubledwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troubledwater)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/5 "2014-06-28T03:25:42Z")
> [@Lacunae\_Matata](#): > > If I had a do-over, I’d choose something with more surface texture, Preference for surface texture in general, or with respect to cleaning? Because it seems like smooth = easier to clean. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/6 "2014-06-28T03:39:05Z")
There are some truly impressive looking faux wood vinyl floors available now. No seams. No sealant. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/7 "2014-06-28T03:51:32Z")
> [@troubledwater](#): > > Preference for surface texture in general, or with respect to cleaning? Because it seems like smooth = easier to clean. A little easier to clean the smooth one. A lot easier to slip and slide and bust my clumsy ass! 😃 (Plus the smooth floor is quite reflective, so it looks dirtier than a textured floor would.) ---
**Author:** ![troubledwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@troubledwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troubledwater)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-laminate-engineered-flooring-for-me-and-my-leaky-pets/691833/8 "2014-06-28T04:03:51Z")
> [@PurpleClogs](#): > > There are some truly impressive looking faux wood vinyl floors available now. No seams. No sealant. 🙂 I already feel like I’m “cheating” for considering laminates. Actually, I could put down whatever hard flooring I wanted, roll out a layer of vinyl on top, and roll that back when, um, the time comes. The other consideration here is that this generation of cats will be followed by . . . . more cats. And I don’t want these future cats to think the whole room is a toilet like the current ones do.