Laminate or hardwood?

Question

I have to replace almost all the flooring in the house we're buying. Money is really tight, so I'm inclined to go with laminate. My husband and his father think they can install hardwood floors for us, but they both have full time jobs. I think it would take them a million years to do even the three main rooms and hallway.

My father in law believes we'll put more value into the house if we put hardwood floors down vs. laminate throughout the house. I'm sure it would look better.

I do have two small children. I'm thinking I'll put carpet in the bedrooms to save money, and put laminate or hardwood in the rest of the house.

Anyway, does anyone have an opinion either way?

Answer 1

I put laminate in my dining room and kitchen last year.  I did it by myself in about 2 1/2 days.  It really isn't that hard.  I was a slow starter cause I had never done any DIY stuff before.  The laminate I got had the foam backing on it so I didn't even have to put down any underlayment.

If there is a lumber liquidators in your area, be sure to check them out.  They had the best prices and were very helpful.

Answer 2

my mom installs flooring [mostly hardwood and laminate] and all i know is that if you go with laminate DO NOT pick the cheap stuff,  it most likely will cost you just about the same in the long run because its difficult to install and takes longer. thats all i know really.

but, hardwood floor is always nice and i THINK it might be better if you have kids. i dont think it gets recked as easily but im not 100% SURE

hope that helped.. good luck!

Answer 3

I recently put down Laminate flooring that has the hand scrapped wood look and feel to it. It was $2.67 per sq foot and had the pad on it. You can find this at Costco if there is one in your area. Both wood and laminate can be damaged by water but I have laminate in my kitchen that gets water spilled on it often and it is doing good,has been down for two years. Laminate can be installed by just about anyone that has basic skills. I also have it in the rest of my house as I got tired of carpet constantly getting stained by the kids. The laminate is easily dusted with a micro fiber dry mop.

Answer 4

You need to add info:  Is your home on a concrete slab or does it have a wood floor now?  On a concrete slab, the plywood plank type wood flooring with an oak (or other hardwood) surface is easy to lay, has a polyurethane finish that's tough enough for kids, comes in many colors/tints, is easy to clean, and looks great for many years is probably the best choice.  This is not cheap, but can be done by do-it-yourselfers and save high installation and finishing costs.

Answer 5

Hardwood!!!   I have laminate in my kitchen and it collects so much dust!!  You have to be cleaning it all the time!  I also don't think it looks very 'real'.  I had hardwood in my old house and I loved it.  Hardwook would also increase your homes value.

Answer 6

Listen to Daddy in law. I refinished my hardwoods and think they are great. Putting in new floors you can use prefinished hardwoods or "engineered hardwoods". I think the engineered hardwoods save money because it is like a laminate but it has a thickness of real wood on the top (not paper like laminates) and also has a wear resistant finish (aluminum oxide) which makes them nearly indestructable. Yeah, put carpet in the bedrooms if you need to save the money right now.

Squeaking? You will need to do some research on this but I do know that s******g down the subfloor will not fix all of it. I will problably need to be screwed down from the bottom too. Check DIY network's website for more info.

Answer 7

If your FIL and hubby can install and finish the hardwood, that is a great solution.  Three rooms and a hall should not take too long--getting the first couple of rows started is the hardest part.  Additionally, hardwood will add to the value of the home, and it will last a lifetime.  Plan to put down at least 3 coats of urethane to seal the floor well, so that it will stand up to spills, weather and so on.  Laminates, for all that they are great for, will swell and buckle if exposed to moisture (so will hardwood, if you don't seal it well!).

Answer 8

ur father in law is right it will put value in ur house if u put hardwood floors i had that same problem cause money is tight for me as well...but i would definately go with hardwood for the rest of the house and carpet in the bedrooms...ur husband and father in law can always work on the house on weekends it will eventually get done and will look so much nicer than laminate

Answer 9

Wood.. we have all wood in our home except in the bathroom. I love it. I don't like carpet at all but rugs here and there.

Answer 10

Go with hardwood...and may be carpets in the rooms!!

Laminate  does not look good. n it brings down the value and appeal of the house... no one likes laminate floors ...they only buy a house with laminate floors if they have to because of other factors

squeak is normal!!! dont worry about it

Answer 11

Laminate floors,look cheap,sound cheap when walking on them with shoes. They still can scratch( wood also)  if they get wet it can cause the particle board inside to swell lifting the seams. Laminate floors are easier to install. But a wood floor will definitely increase your property value. However the best way is to put down an unfinished floor. Then have the floor sanded then finished after with an OIL based finish. 99% of floor finishers reccomend water based finishes, because they sand & finish the floor in one day and will be paid. Water based finishes SCRATCH very easy. All prefinished wood flooring has a water based finish. (SCRATCHES VERY EASY!)