Laminate Flooring?

[clemsonfor]

This is what I have. "+p_strTitle+" Demo&tp=

I'm very pleased with it and find myself going to it all the time. It's one of those tools that I wonder how I got along without it. For the money, it's really a handy thing to have and will be one of those things that I give out for Chritmas this year. Nobody would be disapointed in getting one!!!

Eddie

Yep Eddie thats what i thought you were talking about. I have a HF copy. The only proble with mine is that i cant buy the Bosch blades for it. I got the cheaper one speed from HF not the variable one that almost twice the cost. I paid i think $34 for mine. I am really impressed it has plenty of power, but like most HF things their blades leave something to be desired. It cuts fast untill the bades dull which even for them was not as fast as i expected, but the HF blades cost the same or jsut a $1 or so less then bosch, and i have to drive 45 mins to get to HF. Again like i said i bought it for 1 purpose wheni was patching and refinishing my hardwood floors and i had to cut out a board under a wall to replace it, and the was going to be visible so i had to cut straight down the inner door casing. I still have it and dont forget but have not used it yet. IMO it was worth the $34 i paid to cut the few things i did when fixing my HWs.

 

[Gem99ultra]

A few questions for you good folks who have installed Laminate flooring,how well does it hold up?What name brand did you buy?My wife and I are looking at installing the quick-step brand name,any thoughts good or bad?Thanks,coobie.

We have Quick-Step installed in about 1/2 of our house. Kept capet in bedrooms and tile in kitchen and bath.

We did have the Quick-Step installed by the dealer. Concrete floor did need to be leveled then water sealed with an underlament on top of that. We bought the quarter round at the same time as the flooring so the match would be perfect, and let the dealer to a tujrn-key job.

All total including the leveling, water proofing, install, etc., cost was about the same as carpet. The laminate looks super, is bullet-proof as far a scratches and wear. I don't think you could ever wear off the finish! What spouse likes is that when it's clean - it IS clean and looks clean, as opposed to carpet which you can never get all the dirt out of. She uses a dust mop with some sort of cleaner that you spray on the mop. Required very little maintenance.

What I don't like is that our two little (inside) dogs slip and slide when they they try to run on it. And I have to be careful if walking on it barefooted. Perhaps a more textured style with a more rough surface would cure that, or perhaps there is some slip proof cleaner/wax... I don't know. Of course, you never have to wax it. But I'd have second thoughts if there are elderly persons living in the house due to the possiblity of slipping and breaking a hip or something like that. We do have rug runners in the hallways and in the center of the living room which on learns to walk on if they're barefooted.

I think I'd do it again though. I've had solid hardwood floors before and they just don't hold up against wear, not to mention the cost. Tile floors are horrible; hard & cold. Lanoleum floors are not cheap, but they look cheap. I love carpet due to it's warmth and cushion, but they are a truley dirt collector.

So - put me down for a Yes vote for Quick-Step laminate flooring. But either let the dealer install it (which was cheap enough), or if you do it yourself, don't take shortcuts. We bought an extra case of the flooring that we've stuck in the attac 'in case' we ever have to replace a board. It'll last you until you are a very old person.