Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Laminate vs Concrete staining with pets?

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the forum and have a question that I thought someone could help me with. My husband and I are wanting to remove our carpet and replace it with something better. The carpet is nearly 30 years old. We haven't lived in the house long (it actually belonged to his parents), but age, kids and pets have damaged the carpet. We also have a lot of allergies and think that either option would help us. Which would be better to use laminate flooring or concrete staining? We've done research and talked to other people, but we're still undecided. I would like tile, but my husband hates it. So tile is out. So is carpet because we have a new puppy and he's still in his housebreaking stages and our allergies. We have about 1100 sq ft to cover and would have to do it slowly room to room because of our pets. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ultimately I don't think you'd like the concrete option, so I'd go with laminate.

Are the dogs still a problem?

Thanks for the reply. The puppy still is a problem. He's in his kennel when no one's home, but he's had a couple of accidents. We also have cats. One in particular with bladder problems. So carpet is not an option. Could you explain why laminate is better? I'm just trying to see all options. Thanks again!

I'm not sure I'd do anything as long as you still have pet problems. Assuming they were long gone, the laminate is going to be a much nicer look - nothing you do to concrete will keep it from looking like concrete.

I agree with mitch17. If your pets have had accidents before and you weren't able to catch it and clean it up right away, I'd stay away from laminate wood. It will get ruined and you'd end up regretting it or having to keep replacing areas that warp or buckle. I don't think kids would be a problem with laminate wood, but the pets that have accidents could cause a problem if you don't clean it up right away. Look-wise, laminate would be better than concrete. I'd try to convince hubby to go with tile.

BTW: Welcome to the DoItYourself.com forums :)

Thanks for the replies and the welcome!
You've given me some things to think about. You're completely right about the laminate. The cat hasn't had problems in a couple of years, but who's to say he won't. Most of his accidents happened while we were at work. But the puppy is kennel when he can't be watched. He's never left in a room unattended. But they're animals and so accidents are bound to happen.
We've done some research on the concrete staining. They have all sorts of things you can do it. Staining, painting...that sort of thing. But I think the laminate will get scratched up quickly and the concrete will be a pain. The house is 30 years old so who's to say what's beneath the carpet at this stage. Tile is a good idea, but with someone so accident prone I'm not so sure. I'm working on him. But he just won't budge. :D

the best choice considering your circumstances,,, very competitive w/tile & much easier cleanup, too,,, you shouldn't have any trouble locating a good artisan for this work,,, we thing our products're the best but there're other suitable mtls on the market,,, for best results, we coat w/epoxy & a couple coats of wax which's sacrificial.

Our garage floor gets very slick and damp when it's extremely humid outside. Will the inside floor be the same if we decide to go with concrete staining? Or will the controlled air make a difference?

I replaced the carpet in all rooms except bedrooms in my house with laminate. I have 6 cats but no dogs. The cats never use anything except the litter boxes for bathroom duties. They do hack up hair balls, however. They have not damaged the laminate in any way that I have noticed. However, their claws are retracted most of the time.

I have seen some beautiful stained concrete floors and they would certainly be my first choice in new construction.