Hi everyone! Ok, I am going to be tearing out a total of about 600 square foot of carpet and some lanoleum and replacing it with a hardwood/laminate floor. I really want the real hardwood look, but am worried about the wear and tear with 2 boys and a dog walking, playing, and running on it every day! I would love opinions on both types of floors and your experience with either one to help me make this decision! I am very confused on which choice to make and I am hoping you guys can help me out! Thanks so much!
Jodi

By Colette on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 12:46 pm:

I am a fan of real wood. We have hardwood throughout and have no problems. It's been in the house for 65 years and it's been refinished once.

By Marcia on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 01:18 pm:

I have both in my home. The real hardwood is 100% better, IMO.
We got the hardwood when our kids were small, and when I was running a daycare. It's had anything and everything spilled on it, and it still looks great.
We've had laminate in the kitchen and playroom for a couple of years. It hasn't held up nearly as well.

By Eve on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 01:43 pm:

We have both as well. Our house is mostly hardwood floors. Long term, I'd go for the hardwood. If you get prefinished, make sure you get something that is sandable, so it can be refinished someday. (Believe it or not, they sell prefinished so thin that you can't strip it!)

I have laminate in my kitchen and I really like it as far as clean up. (It will dent just like wood, but I don't think it scratched as easily)

As far as looks, I do prefer hardwood myself. We put the prefinished hardwood down in our FR and it's pretty! The cost is about the same luckily.

Go with your gut! Good luck! Sounds like it will be great!

By Momoffour on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 02:47 pm:

We are also putting in hardwood flooring. This weekend. I hate my carpet in the living room it never seems clean. I vaccume 2 times a day and it still don't look clean. having 4 kids and they seem to cant keep anything in a glass or a plate it always ends up on the floor. I like the looks of a hardwood floor. We also just got done painting the walls. I dislike having white walls. So we painted it a antique looking blue. If I ever figure out how to post pictures I will when I get all finished.

By Momaroze on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 06:30 pm:

I envy every one of you who has laminate/hard wood floors!! We are planning to do the same, but not in the near future. There are some excellent choices/flooring out there.

By Conni on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 10:04 am:

We have hardwood. I would love to extend the wood into my living room / kitchen and take the carpet/tile out. But I dont think they can match the rest of the floors good enough.

By Colette on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 10:24 am:

Conni, you'd be surprised at what can be done for matching woods. When we refinished ours, a few pieces needed to be replaced and we added on a new living room. They used the same types of wood - birch and maple and it matches perfectly.

By Echo on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 03:48 pm:

My dh puts in floors for a living, and my father is an independent contractor who also has a lot of experience with wood floors. They are both still at work, but I'll ask them both for you when they get home and post another message.

By Jodes on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 04:38 pm:

Thanks everyone so much!! Your inpute definately helped me make my decision, I had always wanted hardwood, but some people were telling me that I would not be happy with the scratching and the looks of it after time...but...my husband and I went ahead this morning and bought hardwood! It is called rustic birch, it is solid wood prefinished and it is very very beautiful!! I am very excited now!! My husband is going to pick it up tomorrow, and hopefully by Tuesday our installers can begin putting it in! The best part about it is it was an awesome price. Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate your help.
Jodi

By Echo on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 10:08 pm:

Well, I'm glad you've decided. My husband and father both said the hardwood. So enjoy. They said it would scratch more, but I think you'll be happier with that choice. Good Luck

By Melanie on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 11:43 pm:

Good choice. I've had both, and I wouldn't do laminate again.

By Momoffour on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 01:43 am:

We just finsihed with ours. It took one full day to do it and it was pretty easy. Hubby and I did it and it is really nice. I love it. I will take pictures in the morning and see if I can get someone to post them for me..

By Tink on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 02:59 am:

I don't have either. I'm a real fan of the way they look but I'm wondering what are the drawbacks of laminate? I always hear how easily hardwood scratches and has to be refinished. Just curious.

By Eve on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 08:27 am:

Yeah! How exciting! Happy installing!

By Feona on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 08:28 am:

We got some bruce peel and stick wood parque from home depot for ds room. It is okay for a bedroom. Scratched up alittle. You can't refinish it because it is so thin.