Hardwood is good but tile is better, with dogs and water spills in the Kitchen you should opt for Tile. There are tiles that look like wood as well, maybe you should check them out. The good thing about hardwood is it can be sanded and stained when it's time or you have dings, but the best things about Tile is it very functional and will not break your bank.

If you seal the hardwood with polyurethane that will help protect against water damage. You just want to make sure water isn't left sitting on the wood for long periods.

Engineered wood gives you more options with real wood veneer. Can be refinished if necessary. As far as spilling water on wood floor; don't!

You definitely want to have the same flooring for both rooms. Dog bowl water spills can certainly be a problem on wood floors, whether it's solid wood or veneered wood. This I say from experience with a very sloppy yellow lab! For times when you daughter's dog visits, place a sheet of plastic under the bowl, followed by a very absorbent bathroom rug. And then be vigilant about wiping up drips. ...»

Wood floor in kitchen? BAD IDEA! Spills happen and dishwashers eventually leak! We have tile in the kitchen and wood every where else - and we still have had to replace boards due to water spills!

Many places that offer flooring now have tiles that are pressed to look just like wood - but problems with spillage. My nephews did this in their homes and it looks great and does not scratch when you drop something (a common kitchen occurrence). They can chip if you drop something heavy and ...»

If it's got to be wood in the kitchen and you don't want laminate, then look into doing it in teak or bamboo. Um, just know that using any good wood that has "tight grain" (you definitely need that in a kitchen) and is adequately clear coated.

NOTE: I'm a firm believer in laminate, especially for a kitchen project! Now that we're living in 21st century, you can have the best of both worlds which is real wood laminate that is easy to work!

We had the same questions many months ago and I was one of the only ones promoting the use of wood floors. They do need to be kept dry, but they look better than tile and laminates.

I have had mixed results with Maple in kitchens. Simple spills when cleaned right up are no problem but when there is a plumbing leak, you are looking at a repair.

For oak floors, get white oak, not the more common red oak which will wick up water like a sponge.

I have had best results with antique heart pine. Quite stable and has resins that resist water. Fir is similar but will stain more. For a older lived in look, SYP flooring is OK

Have lived in 7 homes - 3 tile and 4 wood in kitchen. MUCH prefer wood. With water on the tile I kept slipping - my poor knees. Last 2 homes have had boys and 4 dogs and any number of foster puppies. Wood floors took a beating and did great. Have also used eco-friendly stain and poly with beautiful results. Good luck!

Lumber Liquidator has a huge sale going on so you may want to get by this weekend and check out what they have. The closest one to you is prob the one at Indian Trail & I-85 in norcross. We generally discourage clients from wood in kitchens or baths....but I have wood in several kitchens of homes I own...just because I like it. The risk is that you will eventually have to replace some of it...so make sure you buy an extra box or two for that reason. Wood floors are warmer and I'm ...»

Here in GA, wood in the kitchen common and the norm. 10 year old house, red oak floors in kitchen, screened and buffed last year. No issues, one large dog, 3 cats, 2 kids. Love the wood floors. Easy to maintain and always look beautiful. Good luck.

Don't use laminate. If it gets wet at the seams they start to rise. I know my little dogs wee wee on mine and that is what has happened. Then when you wash it the water gets in too.

I worry about real wood floors showing scratches & marks from pets. Isn't laminate better in that regard?