New Flooring

[Zogman]

As we are getting older we are considering removing all the carpet and going with:

1) Hardwood

2) Laminate

3)The new vinyl hardwood look alike.

Anyone have any recent experiences with any of the above? Good or Bad?

Thanks.

 

[honkerslayer]

Depends on what you want for looks and durability. I prefer the look of wood and the real wood laminates are easy to work with. The vinyl wood look alike are super durable. Especially the waterproof ones. They look pretty decent too.

 

[jdfisherman]

We have vinyl plank that looks like wood. Only had it about a year but so far so good. Vinyl will show any imperfections in the subfloor so make sure any issues (soft spots, seams, bumps, dips) are addressed before installing.

 

[Allen]

The only thing I will say with respect to hardwoods is to not go that route if you have active dogs. I put teak in a basement a number of years ago and the GSPs nails would leave grooves in the otherwise smooth finish. Not really scratch it, just leave long dings as they spun their wheels. Other than that, I like the looks of real wood above the other options.

For durability, the laminates rule.

For cost, I suppose the vinyl is kinder to the wallet.



Also, when considering wood or laminate. The shinier and darker the less I like them. They really show the damn dust. Go with a duller finish and lighter in color. Muddy footprints are one thing, but that damn dust is really sneakily annoying. To defeat that, I suggest the rock patterns of laminate. In which I don't like the fake grout lines.

 

[tikkalover]

I know you didn't list this but I vote, Dura ceramic as that's what I put in the kitchen, hallway and bathroom and we really like it.

 

[fj40]

We just did the kitchen with vinyl waterproof plank. Wife likes. I couldn't give a shit less.

 

[dschaible]

we have the home depot allure Vinyl plank and its definitely more slippery then other floorings. Other then the slippery part its good stuff.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I'm in the process of putting back our vinyl plank in the basement after we had a water break and removed it all cleaned and dried all of it. Right now it looks like I was able to save about 90% where carpet and laminate would have been near 100% loss. I believe it is MetroFlor Engage in a hickory pattern, we really like it and it goes together similar to laminate. As said before any subfloor imperfections will show up so be diligent in prep

It sure has been a jigsaw puzzle once I started getting closer to the doorway to enter the hall

 

[USMCDI]

I'd do Dura-ceramic again in a heartbeat, they're not loud, don't shift or float and retain heat really well.

- - - Updated - - -

Monkeys could be trained to install it as well.

 

[LBrandt]

What ever laminate you put down, make it the same color as your dog unless you like to Swiffer twice a day.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Saw some planking in grey and it looked really good.

 

[Ericb]

Tore out the carpet and put laminate on the main level of our house. I love the look and you could tell a temperature difference immediately. Sweeping vacuuming is easy but mopping/ keeping shiney is a little difficult as your product options are limited. We bought a robotic mop that with a light mixture of water and viniger does ok. Biggest thing is make sure the install is done right. I've seen a few house where the company put it in to tight and then the boards raise up as the swell.

I've recently started on my basement which is mainly a kids dungeon. I am debating colerd gym tiles or even the black matt with paint specks like they have in hockey rinks. I want something easily removable as I know the kids and dogs will ruin it sooner than later.

 

[eyexer]

We put strang bamboo in the whole main floor of our new house five years ago. not a damn scratch anywhere. I don't think dogs could scratch it either. it's three or four times harder than oak. Had the wash machine flood over to the point the water leaked down and through the ceiling in the basement. didn't affect the bamboo one bit. still looks like the day we put it in. I would call it waterproof for all intents and purposes. In the basement I laid 1600 sq. ft of ceramic that looks like wood plank. very labor intensive. Was going to do the bedrooms and storage rooms with vinyl plank but just couldn't get myself to spend the money. So I caught a black friday sale at lowes and got 18"x18" ceramic for .77 cents a square foot. So I did the other 900 square feet with that because it goes down so fast unlike the ceramic plank. looks great and will withstand any floods.

 

[Retired Educator]

I've installed all of the ideas suggested above. For me wood is the best look and feel as well as quieter when walking with a hard sole shoe. It's just about always the most expensive and requires the most care. I do prefer Dura-Ceramic over laminate as I think it's quieter and doesn't sound hollow to me. The difference is Dura-Ceramic, or other similar brands are glued instead of just laid and locked together. Also required more labor.

My experience also suggests that your life will be much simpler if you ask your wife or SO, if you have one. In the end their opinion, if followed, is going to make your life much more peaceful. At least that way if they don't like it the fault will lie with them, not you.

 

[aron]

Waterproof vinyl planks. I put in laminate a year ago and wish I had gone with the vinly. The vinly is warmer, quieter, not as slippery, and don't need to worry about warpage/damage from water. If you have dogs that would make my decision easy for vinyl.

 

[Zogman]

Thanks for all the GREAT comments! We will be taking our time and tackling the project in a month or so.

 

[bucksnbears]

Zog. Research Karndean VanGough.
Great stuff!!

 

[all4eyes]

20 plus years installing floors in the Minot area, cortec is a good floor, duraceramic is junk. I didnt read all the posts but my precerance would be coftec over duraceramic. Solid wood over laminate.

 

[bucksnbears]

I would not put down laminate or hardwood in a kitchen or bathroom.!!

 

[powerman]

20 plus years installing floors in the Minot area, cortec is a good floor, duraceramic is junk. I didnt read all the posts but my precerance would be coftec over duraceramic. Solid wood over laminate.

I agree. I used core tec and did it myself. Still looks good with kids and dogs running on it.