Laminate versus hardwood (refinish, ceramic, installed, dining room)

[JBrown]

Having done a few kitchens for myslf in the past friends of mine have asked me to help them with there's...ie they basically want me to gut it and replace everything.
She has asked for Alloc laminate flooring based upon (something?) . I've just spent some time looking around at various flooring supply houses in my area and it's pretty clear that I can buy bruce real wood fooring (maple etc) for LESS money that Alloc or WilsonArt laminate !! (materials...not including labor)

So...for the informed on here (Cosmic comes to mind) , why would anyone put this "almost looks real" stuff down when real wood is actually less money. Again I understand it's a bit more time to install.but it's the real deal and can be refinished if need be down ther road.

???

.

[d4g4m]

Same thing with decking materials. I couldn't believe the prices of the plastic decking as compared to real wood. Real wood priced using 5/4 board. Fake wood is 5/4 dimentional but hollow with ribs. The fake stuff is made from chopped up coke/pepsi bottles, sawdust, epoxy and coloring. Yet it costs 3 to 4 times that of real wood. Go figure!

[ConeyIsBabe]

When I purchased my Oregon Dream Home, I had all carpeting removed and Bruce pre-finished hardwood flooring installed, in all rooms except the bathrooms which already had tile and marble!! The floors are one of the most beautiful assets of the home. They are easy to maintain with an occasional swiffer cleaning, and so much healthier than carpeting !

[janetvj]

I prefer real hardwood too, and had the Bruce pre-finished hardwood installed in my living room and dining room. But I didn't have it put in the kitchen because I was concerned about water damage. So laminate may be a better option for kitchens and bathrooms for many people. I'm happy with my floors, although they have gotten shallow scratches in the high-traffic areas because of my dogs. But I figure floors are supposed to be walked on, and some scratches are inevitable.

[Cosmic]

The laminate does have its advantages. Usually pretty cheap, quick install, easy to redo. It usually do not wear as well as the real thing. Peeps talk about pets toenails do the job on it. Probably does well if you don't have kids or wild cats / dogs.

For the same or less money, if real wood is available, it is sort of a no brainer. Get the real stuff.

[TexasHorseLady]

Don't use laminate in the bathroom. The people who we bought our house from did, and it does NOT stand up to water - especially if there's a leak. We have real wood in the living room and one bedroom, clearly the original floors from the early 1900's, and they are beautiful. The laminate (which looked to be the good stuff) needs to be ripped out and replaced.

[summers19]

Real wood definitely. In our previous home, we had hardwood in the kitchen and loved it. It was easy to clean and we had no worries about water damage.
We just bought a house that is 20 years old and for some reason, the previous owners put laminate 'wood' flooring in the master bathroom. It looks tacky to us and feels strange under our feet. The top layer of laminate can also pucker or mottle if water sits too long on it.

[jimboburnsy]

The only reason I can imagine is that your friends expect to get the laminate for considerably less than hardwoods. I'm with Cosmic- No brainer...

[JBrown]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

The only reason I can imagine is that your friends expect to get the laminate for considerably less than hardwoods. I'm with Cosmic- No brainer...

Thanks everyone...your're confirming my thoughts. I have to get back to her with "actual" data instead of what I agree might be some preconcieved notion that the laminate is less expensive.

I talked one of the local flooring distributers into lettting me borrow a cpl of pieces of Alloc laminate. To my eye there's NO mistaking it for real,
Even the commercial grade wear surface is only .017 inch thick !! I'm hoping I can make the rational cases to her to go with the real deal.
BTW....they are nearing retirment and will be selling this house in about 3 to 4 years and move into their shore property full time. With that in mind the resale bonus of real mapple or oak as opposed to laminate seems even more complelling.

[Blondie621]

Laminate wood floors do not hold up. I have them. They were put in about 5 years ago and they are shot in the heavy traffic areas. They lift, they chip, they peel. Pets ruin them quickly. I would suggest real wood floors. I am going to replace some of the rooms with ceramic tile.