Hello everyone,
I'm new here and I'm trying to decide the route to go in getting wood flooring. I was going to get the solid hardwood at HD but was told that the laminated was stronger and more durable. To me this just seems all wrong as I understand it's nothing more of an image of wood glued on to cheaper wood.

Anyway here are some facts that may be of assistance in helping me:
1. I live in Central Florida near the Gulf. Can get humid at times.
2. I have now carpet that is badly worn and has seen it's day. Also lot of pet stains from 4 dogs when they were still puppies.
3. Again I have 4 dogs, 2 Boston Terriers, 1 White Highland Westlie and 1 Australian Cattle Dog! Right now they are Potty trained to a certain degree. No more wetting but everyone in a while I find a load of crap. Maybe this is because of previous mishaps? They smell and then go!
4. I believe that under the carpet its just a concrete floor.
Do I also need to install a plywood under floor then the moisture plastic protection plus a soft padding to walk on?
5. What would be best for me, the Solid Hardwood or the Laminated Flooring??

Also I'm tired of pressed wood that just falls apart when it get humid or has moisture around it. Any help you can share with me would be greatly appreciated.
Thomas

Your best bet, is going to be with a quality engineered cross=ply boad, not a solid. Your over concrete. Concrete is the only reason engineered exists.

Thanks AustinFloorguy,
So what you are saying is first put down a ply wood sub floor before putting down hardwood flooring? And because I'm in Florida should I put down some plastic moisture protection sheets too?

Thanks,
Thomas

Engineered cross-ply wood flooring is not solid wood over plywood... Although, it kinda, is. Prefab, you could call it, hehehehe..

When you say laminated floor I'm guessing the retailer is meaning a plastic laminate instead of an engineered wood product. I might agree with that considering your dogs and and being over a slab.

Plastic laminates float over a moisture barrier and padded underlayment. Decent brands are Wilsonart, Pergo, Quickstep, Mannington, ect. Bruce has a new one out called Grand Illusions (I think) that is very attractive.

With four dogs, hardwood and a laminate are going to wear out. The laminate will hold up better however. If it were me, I'd get a nice stone or tile floor. Dogs are just hell on wood floors.