Flooring for paws and prams
Dublin homes mix original timber, reclaimed tile, and recent laminate extensions. We specify surfaces that tolerate claws, spills, and the repeated path from garden door to kitchen bowl without showing wear within the first year.
Engineered oak in living areas
Solid boards cup in humid Georgian basements; engineered oak with a thick wear layer handles Dublin's moisture swings better. Matte lacquer hides fine scratches from large dogs better than high-gloss finishes that act like mirrors for every claw line.
We align board direction with main traffic so edge joints do not catch nails — especially in open Portobello kitchens where pets orbit the island while you cook.
Stone and tile at entries
Original hall tiles in Dublin 4 houses deserve retention when possible. Where replacement is needed, large-format porcelain with textured glaze offers grip for wet paws without grout lines every ten centimetres to trap mud.
Sealed terracotta suits south-facing extensions that open to gardens in Drumcondra — warm underfoot for dogs who refuse rugs but porous unless maintained yearly.
Runners and zone rugs
Not every room needs hard flooring end to end. Washable flat-weave runners protect high-traffic paths while preserving original floorboards underneath for future resale in conservation areas.
We specify rubber underlay rated for stone subfloors common in pre-1910 Dublin builds so rugs do not slide when a retriever launches from the sofa.
When carpet still makes sense
Bedrooms and stair landings benefit from low-pile wool blend carpet with stain treatment — quieter for flats with downstairs neighbours in Rathmines. We avoid deep saxony that traps hair and makes vacuuming a daily chore.
Supply and fit through our trade partners typically runs €45–€72 per square metre installed, depending on underlay and stair complexity.
Acoustic kindness for downstairs neighbours
Apartment blocks near the Grand Canal report footfall easily. Cork underlay beneath engineered boards reduces click-clack from dog nails at night without the hollow sound laminate floats sometimes produce.
Coordinate with our entry zone planning so the first three metres inside the door use the hardest-wearing surface in the house.