How do I choose Laminate for a DIY project? ?

Question

I have very little money, but I know I should use a good laminate flooring product. How do I know if I've got a good product?

Can I use a place like Lumber Liquidators? I've heard that their stock might be old and weathered. Should I stick with Home Depot or Lowes?

And once I've chosen a store, how do I choose a product?

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

I would recommend at least a 10mm thickness.  There is 8 and even 7mm out there and it is cheap and looks cheap when you're done.  It's usually the thickness that makes it more expensive.  If you're paying $1 per sq. ft. or less, it's likely a cheap product.  Again, get as thick a laminate that you can and will last a lot longer and will look better in the end.  Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Laminates demand a very flat floor because of their thinness.

You could get 5/8" bamboo for a similar price... Home Depot sells it for about $2 a sq. ft. now. It does require the same kind of work as installing a wood floor, but the result is much nicer.

Answer 3

Go to Home Depot. They have laminate flooring for as little as 97 cents a sq ft. At least this way you can see it and touch it.Go with a darker color. Everyone I know hates their light oak floors and wishes they would have gone darker.

Answer 4

Laminate flooring is tricky, in my opinion, the inexpensive stuff you find at Home Depot or Lowes shows every seam, it looks wavy. Then if you have a problem, you have to remove it from the edge working out to the damaged piece. On a tight budget maybe you should consider something else.