Laminate (hardwood floors, vinyl, Home Depot, Lowes)

[JJingle]

I'm looking for a low cost option for a kitchen floor. I've narrowed it down to laminate, but I'm confused with all the choices. Initially, I selected the top of the line Armstrong. However, the pad and laminate prices slightly below $6 a square foot. I just don't want to spend that kind of money, as I'll probably replace the laminate when the carpet in the adjoining rooms needs replacing. Consumer Reports gave decent reviews to Kronotex (spelling ?) at Lowes. It comes with a 10 year warranty and is available for about half that of Armstrong. I do realize that you get what you pay for. In my case, I only need a short-term (3-4 year) solution.

I would appreciate any thoughts, feedback, experiences, etc on laminate.

Thanks for reading...

[twinmma]

Wow-for that price you could get hardwoods installed! (seriously!)
I don't know about the item you are asking about, but just talk to the people at Lowes. I think their products are pretty good. And if it is only a temp fix and it has a good warrenty, and if you like the look, then go for it!
Good luck! We are replacing our vinyl in the spare bath and it is only going to cost us $50 for the vinyl (armstrong) but I didn't know anything about a pad for it...I thought you just laid it down, lol! So, I guess I better re-price!

[NorthmeetsSouth]

I have used laminate floors in many of my rental houses because they hold up so well. Almost any metropolitan area is going to have some discount flooring stores. In the Atlanta area there is one that is specifically for laminates. Try one of those places. I got some really good looking laminate (there are some that are pretty cheesy looking) for only $1.90 sf and, as always, installed it myself.
If you do it yourself set up your saw outside and wear a dust mask because the sawdust from this stuff is nasty. Other than that it is pretty simple to do.

[bookworm2768]

We had laminate installed in our last home and were very surprised to find that we got a better deal and a better product from flooring dealers than from Lowes. We also got financing through the store and installation as well.

As to the floors themselves, since its a short term fix you will be fine but I would not recommend them to anyone who plans to 'enjoy' them for a while. They dent easily (at least ours did) and, if you don't get a good pad, can be quite cold in the winter. That's easily fixed with area rugs, of course.

My impression was that Laminate was not recommended in Kitchen or Bath areas since it cannot handle moisture well. Have you considered a good quality vinyl floor?Lowes and Home depot don't carry the really good stuff so you will have to check out a flooring store of this but the higher end vinyl holds up extremely well, is much easier to look after and looks really good too.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Why the temporary "Band-aid"?
Why not bit the bullet and get what you really want- that will last 15-20yrs. In stead of wasting money on something that only going to be there for 4yrs.
Besides, laminate is cheap-looking, and not as easy to keep clean as some think.

[TKramar]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Why the temporary "Band-aid"?
Why not bit the bullet and get what you really want- that will last 15-20yrs. In stead of wasting money on something that only going to be there for 4yrs.
Besides, laminate is cheap-looking, and not as easy to keep clean as some think.

Maybe he's selling. I've heard that a lot when mixing paint. "Just give me something cheap...I'm selling the place."

[eggalegga]

I have Wilsonart laminate flooring. I paid to get the noise reducing pad installed as well. I think if I were to attempt to install it myself, it would have been a little over $600. This was four years ago. I paid to have it done and paid alot in labor. It's held up great against my dogs toenails. It's very durable and I'm happy to have replaced the carpet in my dining room and the vinyl in my kitchen with my Wilsonart laminate. It has a 20 year warranty.

[bibit612]

There are excellent 12"X12" ceramic tiles that you could use similar to what they put in bathrooms. When I bought them from Tile America in CT, it cost me $2 a tile. That's $4 less a square foot than your laminate. It's hardy, easy to clean, and they come in grades that are tough. Yes it's cold, but it's durable and if you grout it with the right color is an easy fix. It definitely will hold up to moisture and grease as well.

[Nepenthe]

Originally Posted by bookworm2768

Have you considered a good quality vinyl floor? Lowes and Home depot don't carry the really good stuff so you will have to check out a flooring store of this but the higher end vinyl holds up extremely well, is much easier to look after and looks really good too.

+1 to that, high quality sheet vinyl is my PREFERRED flooring for my kitchen/nook, bathrooms, and entryways.

http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na...itemId=73019.0

[DanielChang]

The higher end vinyl sheet gets quite expensive (as expensive as good hardwood floors). I've been pricing vinyl floors for the kitchen/baths and found some places are charging close to $9 a sq ft for the high-end stuff.