Laminate flooring

[kelley]

After much searching and research we've decided that the floor type that is best for us is laminate flooring, three dogs and a clumsy wife ruled out hardwoods. Anyone done a laminate floor before? If so what brand did you us and who did you buy it from. We've looked at Armstrong, Pergo, et al. Just want to get someone else's opinion before I drop the rather large chunk of change for a damn floor.

[Eldorado]

I helped my friend put Pergo in their home a few years ago. It's held up really nicely. His wife, kids, and even him are also clumsy so they went with laminate as well. I can't help you as far as price or place to buy, but I will suggest you get the hardest/sharpest blades you can find. That stuff is tough. I think it wore out the diamond circular saw blade we had. Aside from cutting it to your needs, Pergo is really easy to install as well.

[Rob B]

Another option for this are the individual laminate tiles. Easier to work with imo and they are individualized with peel off paper on the back. I'v even scene laminate tiles that look like tile tiles.

[scobeto]

I installed a floating laminate from Columbia Flooring. It was easy, no glue, click installation. The hardest part was undercutting the door jambs so the floor would slide under it.

 

It has held up nicely: We have a dog and my son has been known to ride his big wheels through the house.

 

Laminate flooring is really not suitable for kitchen and baths, I don't care what sales people may tell you (or don't tell you). It is very susceptible to water damage. So much so that we generally towel dry the floor after just cleaning with a damp mop.

 

If you want to test the floors durability, hold your car keys (or butter knife or something with some weight to it) just above your waist, and drop it on the in-store sample several times. If it dents or scuffs, try a different one. If it holds its own, then it will probably stand up to your less than graceful wife and dogs.

 

I like my floor, but think I would go with a real hardwood next time. I don't think a scuff or dent in a hardwood detracts from the natural beauty and they last a helluva lot longer, IMO. But for an easy, affordable fix, a laminate will do the trick.

[shine5555]

We have had Pergo... It was nice and held up great but... After a few years it just was not real hardwood floors, and started to look like Laminate Floors.

 

Next House Laminate Hardwood floors. Looks more like hardwood, but is still pressed board under the very thin top layer. This still holds up great, just as easy to install, but a few years in all the seams, make it look like Laminate.

 

New House, we are doing and loving Hardwood. The scrapes and scuffs are part of the look, and we just Love it.

 

Bottom line. If you like Laminate look and feel, it is great. However if you are just getting Laminate floors because laminate kind of look like real wood, but is easier to install….. You might end up wanting the real hardwood after a few years. At least that was/is our experience.

[cane corso]

I have installed several different brands (Kronotex, Pergo, and I forget the other) in several different homes. I love them. Hardwood would not hold up in my house. If you buy a quality laminate floor and install it correctly you will not have any problems. As mentioned, I would not install in a bathroom but a kitchen shouldn't be a problem (just use glue in the seams).

[kelley]

I've started this project, so far I've ripped up about 500sq ft of carpet with another 300sq ft to go. I'm so sick of getting stabbed by tack board as I rip it up. Its evil, evil stuff. And I'm starting to run out of music DVDs to listen/watch while I work...this will mean a trip to Best Buy very soon.

[kelley]

I've spent the past two days installing my floor. Not fully done yet, need to install my T-molding connectors and shoe molding. Anyone that does this working everyday my hat is off to you, it flat out sucks.