Flooring Suggestions....
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Flooring Suggestions....
So, I was asked to install new flooring in two bedrooms in my folks' condo. They want wood or wood look so I am looking for suggestions on the options. The main part of the place already has what I think is laminate flooring. It was already down when they bought the place so I have no idea what brand it is. It appears to be about 1/4" thick or so. The subfloor is concrete.
What are some options? It doesn't have to last forever but I'd prefer something that won't scratch too easily.
Opinions appreciated. Thanks.
What are some options? It doesn't have to last forever but I'd prefer something that won't scratch too easily.
Opinions appreciated. Thanks.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Greenfield, MA
Ray...I'm due for new flooring in my condo as well. I've considered hardwood...but I've decided on laminate. Hardwood would be over the top in my price range. There are some very nice laminates out there these days. Decisions...decisions!!! 
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Prairieville, La
I have laminate in my house. We went with a light colored floor with a raised woodgrain. It has been down about five years now and shows no wear.We have three large dogs and they sslip and slide sometimes but no damage done. I have noticed that the dark floors show dirt right away. I also have seen the cheap laminate that is a smooth woodgrain break down very fast. I think ours was around 4.00 a linear foot. The cheap stuff I am referring to is about 99 cents per linear foot.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
If you like the look of real wood consider an engineered floor.
You can glue it down directly to the concrete, lightly sand and finish just like a regular hardwood floor.
I'm doing (well the sub is doing..) about 1500 sq' in the house I'm working on right now.
Depending on brand and quality this is 3/8 to 5/8 thick.
You can glue it down directly to the concrete, lightly sand and finish just like a regular hardwood floor.
I'm doing (well the sub is doing..) about 1500 sq' in the house I'm working on right now.
Depending on brand and quality this is 3/8 to 5/8 thick.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Here in No. Calif
Ray
as far the rooms touching the existing floor at doorways you can get a T-cap and continue on with the new. Height will be the same and T-cap is very flat so you dont have a tripping issue. If you can match the material that would be ideal as the colors and styles really havent changed over the years, also if you can turn the floor in opposite direction (1/4 turn) then it wont appear like you added it after the fact. I`ll shoot you my # via P.M if you have any questions. I`ve been doing this for 30 years so I can guide you a bit
as far the rooms touching the existing floor at doorways you can get a T-cap and continue on with the new. Height will be the same and T-cap is very flat so you dont have a tripping issue. If you can match the material that would be ideal as the colors and styles really havent changed over the years, also if you can turn the floor in opposite direction (1/4 turn) then it wont appear like you added it after the fact. I`ll shoot you my # via P.M if you have any questions. I`ve been doing this for 30 years so I can guide you a bit
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Postmaster
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From: North of Boston MA
Thanks for all the input so far. Here is a photo of what is down in the rest of the place. Can anyone tell from the crappy photo what type of floor this is? If you look at it from an angle it does have a slightly raised grain.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Here in No. Calif
Its a laminate, but as far as what brand who knows. Do you have even a scrap Ray? You can pretty much match it to other brands as well. Height will be about the same although the chinese are totally flooding the market now with knockoffs. Some are almost 1/2" but that dosnt matter because if you think about it all it is is mdf with veneer tape on top..I goota go, its my anniversary today and wifey is hollerin,,TTYL
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Montreal Canada
We have hardwood upstairs and laminate downstairs. I prefer the look of the wood floors, but ours are already all scratched from our dog. The laminate we have downstairs doesn't look worn at all.
So I would base my decision on what I plan on using the room for. If you're using it for an office or play room, and people are gonna be moving around in there, I'd put in the laminate.
If you don't have pets or children, I would find what it costs to put in the good stuff. but since you already have laminate in the rest of the house, you won't add value putting hardwood unless you do it through the whole house. Find a laminate that compliments what you have in the rest of the house, and you should have a nice looking floor.
I would also second the vapor barrier and some foam padding. Especially if you're laying it down on a concrete floor. If you put it on the bare concrete, your laminate floor will absorb the moisture and get ruined. And the padding makes the floor a little softer to walk on and less cold.
So I would base my decision on what I plan on using the room for. If you're using it for an office or play room, and people are gonna be moving around in there, I'd put in the laminate.
If you don't have pets or children, I would find what it costs to put in the good stuff. but since you already have laminate in the rest of the house, you won't add value putting hardwood unless you do it through the whole house. Find a laminate that compliments what you have in the rest of the house, and you should have a nice looking floor.
I would also second the vapor barrier and some foam padding. Especially if you're laying it down on a concrete floor. If you put it on the bare concrete, your laminate floor will absorb the moisture and get ruined. And the padding makes the floor a little softer to walk on and less cold.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 13,011
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From: Here in No. Calif
all the wood/bamboo etc that comes from china is labeled as green nowadays. What a crock o poop. The boxs have cardboard wrapped in plastic and inside the rows of wood have a thin piece of foam between them. Look at the air in china,well I guess you cant really see it, it was chaotic in the days leading to the olympics where these factorys had to shut down. Who knows how they actually manufacture all the packaging and milling of wood but you can bet it was made on the cheap with NO regard for atmosphere or being green. Stamp it green and sell it
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
^^^^
...and no regard for the workers.
Look at the bamboo Greenwashing B.S.
What glues do you think are used to hold together zillions of little strips of grass to make these bamboo products?
What's the carbon cost of trucking it to port, loading it on a ship, bringing it to the West Coast, trucking it to a wholesaler in New England?
Meanwhile,
There are virtually no poorly managed North American hardwood forests. (We're not talking about clearcutting ancient virgin redwood stands.)
Some forester in Pennsylvania (sylvan=woods, get it?) or the Midwest is looking to manage his yield and promote a good harvest decades into the future.
Land owners can then afford to pay their taxes, loggers & millers have a job and take pride in their product.
I wouldn't lay solid hardwood directly on concrete, but the engineered select White Oak going down on this radiant slab right now looks great!
Surprised Jake00 hasn't chimed in yet...
...and no regard for the workers.
Look at the bamboo Greenwashing B.S.
What glues do you think are used to hold together zillions of little strips of grass to make these bamboo products?
What's the carbon cost of trucking it to port, loading it on a ship, bringing it to the West Coast, trucking it to a wholesaler in New England?
Meanwhile,
There are virtually no poorly managed North American hardwood forests. (We're not talking about clearcutting ancient virgin redwood stands.)
Some forester in Pennsylvania (sylvan=woods, get it?) or the Midwest is looking to manage his yield and promote a good harvest decades into the future.
Land owners can then afford to pay their taxes, loggers & millers have a job and take pride in their product.
I wouldn't lay solid hardwood directly on concrete, but the engineered select White Oak going down on this radiant slab right now looks great!
Surprised Jake00 hasn't chimed in yet...
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,680
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From: Montreal Canada
I'd stay away from stuff made in China. Remember the "Chinese Drywall" that was poisoning peoples' homes? Imagine spending all that money to lay down a new floor and having to tear it all up again because it's leaking chemicals and making you sick.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,680
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From: Montreal Canada
Nitram you're only a few hours from Montreal. Why don't you drive up to Maine or NH, there must be wood floor manufacturers up there. I know in Sherbrooke, there's lots of little factories that make furniture, flooring and other wood products and are open to the public.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 13,011
Likes: 742
From: Here in No. Calif
I just put in 450 feet today for a buddys buddy that he bought himself. Knowing what I do, but to anyone else it appeared to be made here in the USA but like I said earlier, open a box and you have alot of foam paper and verbage in small print saying made in china. I refuse to capitalize that country as well as mexico (Arizona ring a bell)