So I'm in the process of tearing out the 10 year old carpet and replacing with something that is NOT carpet. I first thought I'd go with hardwoods, but while at Lowes I spotted the laminates. I picked up a couple boxes of Pergo to see if I might like. Well, everyone has an opinion and it didn't take long before someone started telling me the shortcomings of laminates. Of course they don't have such a flooring but they had heard this or that. So I thought I'd ask those of you who do to add your input. How do you like yours? Did you install yourself? I thought I might. Looks to be simple enough. Also, what about water/moisture damage? Has that been an issue for you? Seems to me that if you had a BIG accident, replacing the affected area shouldn't be a major deal seeing as how it is a floating floor. (Just my thougths there) Anyway, Merry Christmas and looking to hear from you.
Laminate flooring
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reb
Veteran Member
The wife and I installed Formica brand laminate flooring in our house about 6 1/2 years ago. I researched carefully and found that brand offered a 25 year (as I recall) warranty against water damage. Even with the warranty, I would hesitate to use it in a kitchen or bathroom. Installation wasn't difficult, though it required gluing and clamping. I think replacing a damaged section would be a bit difficult, but the literature that came with it explained how to do it.
We are happy with it.
We are happy with it.
We had it installed throughout our house, don't remember the brand. We have it in the kitchen but not in the baths. We do have one are where there was a bit of water damage when a dog relieved himself and we didn't find it for awhile- it wasn't much damage, and it's difficult to find that area when looking for it even now. If you wipe it up right away, no problems. No water damage in the kitchen- water drips on the floor all the time, but any big spills are cleaned up right away. Over the past three years it has held up very well, including wear and tear by several dogs.
bamatoolmaker
Silver Member
We installed some in our dining room 4 years ago.It was fairly easy to lay and looks good.No problems whatsoever.Planning on laying our sunroom floor this spring.
AlanB
Elite Member
Some folks (me included) do not like the feel of the floating floors underfoot. For me, they just do not quite "feel" right.
That said, when we install a floating floor for someone, we like the one that has the foam pre-glued to the back of the board. It just makes it easier, and one less thing too fool with.
We like the bamboo nailed down, that is what we put in our own house and a flip house this year.
All of them are definetely something you can do yourself. Good blade on a chop saw. Some patience, careful measuring and read the directions and they go really well.
That said, when we install a floating floor for someone, we like the one that has the foam pre-glued to the back of the board. It just makes it easier, and one less thing too fool with.
We like the bamboo nailed down, that is what we put in our own house and a flip house this year.
All of them are definetely something you can do yourself. Good blade on a chop saw. Some patience, careful measuring and read the directions and they go really well.
czechsonofagun
Elite Member
Put it in living room over floor heating (electrical cable in mortar) about 3 years ago. Looks good, feels fine, holding up well, but with the price (Costco) we feel we can replace it when it wears out.
Bird
Rest in Peace
We had Mohawk glueless laminate installed in the living room/dining area/entry area in early July on a concrete slab foundation. Of course, they had to remove carpet and a partially glued down pad, then put their own pad down. We like it; however, about a month and a half ago, I noticed that sometimes (not always) stepping in certain areas resulted in a squeak. I called the company that did the job last month, they sent an inspector who quickly found all those spots (3 places), ordered more material, and sent the crew back to take up a good bit it of it and replace it. And they showed me what they think they missed getting completely clean under the original laminate, so it's too soon to know how well it wil hold up; so far, so good.
Bill Barrett
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My kids have maybe 1200sq ft installed. Some is the first generation that you had to glue, maybe 800 sq ft of the snap together. I don't like it, it curles from water, and in high traffic area wears fast. Look how fast counter tops wear, and you don't walk on them! Trim and misc. parts are expensive. As you can tell I'm not a real fan, nor are the kids. The kids use it because its cheap and easy to install yourself.
Thanks to all who have replied so far. I've pulled carpet in two bedrooms and hallway so far. Going for the master bed next and then the great room. So I've got plenty of time to decide as I want to have everything old out of the way before I start on the new. Apparrently, like everything, there must be different grades of this stuff you can buy. The boxes I picked up were nearly $4 a square foot and it has the backin already on it. I've heard that some is advertised for $1 a square foot. So maybe it is a case of you will get what you pay for. I'm not worried about the baths, already have tile in them. The only area I was a little concerned with would be the kitchen. But then again I don't ever leave water on the floor. Actually I have 3/4 wood in the kitchen now, but I want everything to match when complete, so everything is going. I don't want it to look like a patch job once complete.
Thanks again
Thanks again
AlanB
Elite Member
I think the Sams club stuff was about $1.50 a foot, and the cheapest stuff from the surplus places I found was about $1 a foot (about the same as cheap carpet)
As you said, quality and price are all over the map, you just have to sort out what you are comfortable with.
Good luck.
I would suggest walking on it somewhere in someones home prior to purchasing it.
As you said, quality and price are all over the map, you just have to sort out what you are comfortable with.
Good luck.
I would suggest walking on it somewhere in someones home prior to purchasing it.
chh
Veteran Member
I put hardwood down in our house and am really very happy not to have carpet. Easy to clean and nice to look at. My sister had laminate put in their house and they really wish they had researched the brands further. Theirs is very "clicky" and they had a small water leak with has caused damage to a pretty large area of the floor.(they think the pad wicked the water across the room) They like the fact that it is easy to clean and care for otherwise. Theirs is of the lower end price range and was installed with a very thin roll pad. Shop and compare whats available and good luck.
rtdiggr
Platinum Member
I put laminate in our old house, we loved it. Can water damage it yes, is it a different feel kinda, is it easy to install yes but there is a small learning curve.
Make sure the floor has no squeaks before you put the laminate over top get a good underlay, and i would recommend a medium quality floor. Pergo is $$$and in my opinion not that much better than a floor at half the price. get a 7 or 8mm floor not a 6mm.
My only complaint is with the dogs[2] everytime they would got across the floor you would hear a tick tick tick.
You need to buy a block and a special pull bar YOU WILL NEED THESE ITEMS i have had people tell me you can do the floor without them but i haven't been able to do it.
Shane
Make sure the floor has no squeaks before you put the laminate over top get a good underlay, and i would recommend a medium quality floor. Pergo is $$$and in my opinion not that much better than a floor at half the price. get a 7 or 8mm floor not a 6mm.
My only complaint is with the dogs[2] everytime they would got across the floor you would hear a tick tick tick.
You need to buy a block and a special pull bar YOU WILL NEED THESE ITEMS i have had people tell me you can do the floor without them but i haven't been able to do it.
Shane
Well the last bedroom is up. I've got three words to say for carpet, filthy, filthy, filthy. This coming from someone who wasn't afraid to rent a steam cleaner and get to work. Actually, I was quite surprised to find loads of dirt along the base boards that was never cleaned before this carpet was installed. Looked to me like everything was just rolled out on anything on the floor at that time. This poor workmanship is exactly why I do everything I can myself.
Not sure if I'll actually go with laminate yet, but I'm sure I'd enjoy it much more than the carpet I'm pulling up if I did. I looked at the box I have. I bought 8 mm floor with a premium attached underlay. It even says it is water resistent. I might have to open a few boxes and lay it just to see if I like it. If I don't I'll call it a $200 lesson.
Not sure if I'll actually go with laminate yet, but I'm sure I'd enjoy it much more than the carpet I'm pulling up if I did. I looked at the box I have. I bought 8 mm floor with a premium attached underlay. It even says it is water resistent. I might have to open a few boxes and lay it just to see if I like it. If I don't I'll call it a $200 lesson.
Cottonhawk
Gold Member
We have about 3,000 sf laminate floor installed in our house four years ago. It is the highest grade of the Wilsonard brand. We are very happy with the floor. There is no sign of wear and no pets or water problems. We have it in kitchen and baths rooms.
Btw, there are many grades of laminates out there with wide range of prices.
Btw, there are many grades of laminates out there with wide range of prices.
Red55
Gold Member
Personally I like the laminate flooring BUT I love 3/4 hardwood flooring and also the bamboo flooring that's out. I have installed the Pergo high end and the lower end stuff as well. All of the laminates I have seen are slippery with any kind of dirt especially the sawdust from the laminate. Also the laminates kill your sawblade so don't use that new $100 blade when cutting it. Also I strongly recommend that you don't use the blocks they sell to bang the laminate together. In fact the laminates are technic sensitive an will go together without banging. I have seen marks from the blocks and on the laminate from being banged together.
On the cheaper stuff (1.50psf) installed this time of year and it looks great this time of the year but come July or August with high humidity you can see every seam when looking at it at the right angle. The cheaper laminate was installed over expensive padding -not an issue of cutting corners on install. Read the manufacturer directions most recommend laminate to be at room temperature and at location for 24-48 hrs. Also do not open boxes or remove plastic wrapping until you're installing it.
If it was my home and I was doing the install I would get Hardwood Flooring. In fact that what I installed in my own home and I used different types of wood for different rooms. Hallways and living room same type of wood.
-Ed
On the cheaper stuff (1.50psf) installed this time of year and it looks great this time of the year but come July or August with high humidity you can see every seam when looking at it at the right angle. The cheaper laminate was installed over expensive padding -not an issue of cutting corners on install. Read the manufacturer directions most recommend laminate to be at room temperature and at location for 24-48 hrs. Also do not open boxes or remove plastic wrapping until you're installing it.
If it was my home and I was doing the install I would get Hardwood Flooring. In fact that what I installed in my own home and I used different types of wood for different rooms. Hallways and living room same type of wood.
-Ed
dmccarty
Super Star Member
Agree! One of our dogs got very sick at the old city house. The family has a carpet cleaner so we put it to use. We mixed 50% hot water with vineger or 50% hot water and Natures Miracle. The Natures Miracle really does kill bad smells.
I ran that machine for HOURS. We went through gallons of water and vineger as well as a couple gallons of Natures Miracle.
The water being sucked into the machine was no cleaner at the start than at the end.
Carpet is disgusting.
Our "new" house has finished concrete floors. People think we are nuts.
Don't care. Easy to clean. No dirt and gunk buried in what looks to be clean carpet. One of the dogs just puked a few hours ago. Get some paper towels and sanitzer. Done. With carpet you just don't know if you got it all....
Later,
Dan
rtdiggr
Platinum Member
Red55Red55 said:
just curious how you would click the floor together without a little love tap. I have done 3 laminate floors and there is no way they would just click together.
I will say yes the 3 foot section will click together, but how do you put the 1 foot section in? I have never been able to just slide it into the smaller section.
Shane
Bird
Rest in Peace
Dan, I think that's getting more popular all the time in this area and I think it's a good idea. We probably should have done either that, or ceramic tile instead of the laminate.
There's a rental house across the street from us and this year when the renters moved out, the owner stripped all the carpet out of the house and had the finished concrete done. I haven't seen it, but my wife was over there and saw it and said it really looked nice.
dmccarty
Super Star Member
We first saw a finished concrete floor in a high end townhouse on a golf course. It was greenish in color and they had cut decrative designs in the floor. We picked a light brown/tan pigment to color the floor. Its a subdued color, we like it and it matches the dirt around the house.
The house our builder was working on when we found him had a RED concrete floor. Not sure if they went to NCSU. Not really to my liking.
You can get a decent range of colors including one that is close to UNC blue. But that pigment is from South Africa and for some reason its only slightly cheaper than diamonds.
Later,
Dan
The house our builder was working on when we found him had a RED concrete floor.
Not sure if they went to NCSU. Not really to my liking. You can get a decent range of colors including one that is close to UNC blue.
But that pigment is from South Africa and for some reason its only slightly cheaper than diamonds. Later,
Dan
dmccarty, nothing wrong with concrete floors.
When I was ten my dad had a new ranch built on the new piece of property he had purchased. Having eight kids at the time, he had contractors burn a nice clean finish on it and never bothered covering it with anything. Now that was a wise idea with so many tracking stuff in the house. One of my nightly chores was to dust mop the livingroom. I'd easily get a dustpan full off each night. Unlike kids today, we really played outside. Even when we were made to kick our shoes off at the door, we still tracked it in. Later he simply painted the floors. I'm not sure if coloring the concrete was even an option back then.
When I was ten my dad had a new ranch built on the new piece of property he had purchased. Having eight kids at the time, he had contractors burn a nice clean finish on it and never bothered covering it with anything. Now that was a wise idea with so many tracking stuff in the house. One of my nightly chores was to dust mop the livingroom. I'd easily get a dustpan full off each night. Unlike kids today, we really played outside. Even when we were made to kick our shoes off at the door, we still tracked it in. Later he simply painted the floors. I'm not sure if coloring the concrete was even an option back then.
