POLL: Real wood vs wood look tile in the bedroom? (vinyl, laminate)
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Looking to replace the carpet in our master bedroom and closets, narrowed it down to this wood color but trying to decide if we should go with real wood or a wood look tile. The look is virtually the same...positives of the real wood flooring is, well, it's real wood...adds warmth and a different feel when you walk on it. Negatives though are that you have to worry about maintenance (scratching, spilling liquids on it, refinishing) it's considerably more expensive,
Positives of real wood:
• Well, it's real wood...adds warmth and a different feel when you walk on it
Negatives of real wood:
• Maintenance (scratches, refinishing, spilling liquids on it)
• Expansion of the wood (we are not removing the baseboards - and I hate quarter rounds)
• Higher cost ($5.29/sq ft vs $3.29/sq ft)
The tile is basically the opposite for negatives and positives...negatives is that it is colder to the touch, though in Phoenix I think that would be a positive really...we have tile in the rest of the common areas and wouldn't have it any other way.
Personally, I usually go for natural materials. I like the feel of wood underfoot. But I can relate to having to live with design touches that I don't like; in your case quarter rounds. So if that would be an issue for you, then put in the wood tile instead of being irritated by something that you didn't want. IMO.
I do have both in one house (different rooms). Each has its advantages.
I'm not that familiar with the installation techniques of each of these so why would only the wood require quarter rounds if you don't remove and replace the base boards?
you will absolutely want to speak to a floor installer. We're in the process of getting this done, we're doing tile. Wood expands here and as you mentioned baseboards- you need the wood to be under them with a gap to allow for expansion and contraction. Definitely speak to someone who does this for a living - real wood isn't as common here as in other areas of the country for a reason.
I'm an avid woodworker but would never put down a real wood floor unless it was for a rustic room where the wood was bare and weathered was desired. I've known too many people who can't enjoy themselves because they are worried about their pretty wood floor getting damaged.
20+ years ago I laid down about 800 sq/ft of glue-up Pergo. I made certain all the joints were fully glued and clamped tightly. The stuff was bullet proof. Three dogs, two cats and three kids, with all their associated wear and tear and messes hardly left a scratch. Our Alaskan Malamute left a lake one night. The next morning some had evaporated but none penetrated the floor. I just mopped it up. That was the best flooring ever made. But they don't make it anymore.
Most of the laminate today looks pretty good. I installed some Pergo XP in our kitchen about a year ago but it can't take the beating the original can. I didn't do tile because everything glass that hits the floor shatters into a million pieces.
You need to balance the abuse the floor will get with the maintenance it will require with the cost and then decide. Pretty is great but practical is better, if you plan to live on it.
you will absolutely want to speak to a floor installer. We're in the process of getting this done, we're doing tile. Wood expands here and as you mentioned baseboards- you need the wood to be under them with a gap to allow for expansion and contraction. Definitely speak to someone who does this for a living - real wood isn't as common here as in other areas of the country for a reason.
I have never had expansion issues here. Mine goes directly under the baseboard and the baseboard is actually caulked to the flooring. Going on three years and it still looks great.
Properly installed and treated (3 coats of poly) wood floors will hold up just fine. Yes, you want to protect them using felt pads on furniture, etc., but they are very easy to keep up. We have real wood floors in our house and have had no issues with them at all. They were site finished with 3 coats of poly (red oak floors). Pine or softer wood might be an issue though.
As for cost, have you gotten installation prices along with material prices? You might find that the final costs are very similar. If you go with tile, can you put heating in the floor to keep them warmer (especially if you live in a colder climate)??
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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I just installed vinyl planks that look like wood. LOVE them! Best thing I ever did. They look great, they are comfortable to walk on and I installed them by myself. They were also very affordable.
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