Original hardwood vs laminate?

[Ohiogirl81]

I agree with those who said to try to salvage the original floor. A little sanding, staining and protection can do wonders.

The floors in my previous house (built in 1926) were plank yellow pine, and responded well to a little TLC. It's also my opinion that a gouge or dent here and there adds to the charm of the floor.

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by CarolDom

On the subject of hardwood, I am ready to replace the 'linoleum' in my kitchen. My husband wants ceramic, but it is sooo hard on the legs. I would love to put a hardwood floor in. What do you think?

Not only is ceramic tile hard on your legs, if you fall, ouch! Also, even supposedly unbreakable bowls will shatter if you drop them. Not to mention keeping the grout clean and just cleaning the ceramic in general. We had a mannington engineered hardwood floor in our kitchen in Chicago and it was a dream floor.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Yes, everything that falls on a ceramic floor breaks. Everything!
CarolDom, I loved my oak floors in my kitchen back in Denver.
They were so easy on the feet, and fine to take care of.
Domergurl, I think that's the kind of floor we are getting in our new house.
The husband doesn't think it looks quite as nice as a "real" wood floor, but he certainly thinks it looks okay. Was it durable?

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by cil

Yes, everything that falls on a ceramic floor breaks. Everything!
CarolDom, I loved my oak floors in my kitchen back in Denver.
They were so easy on the feet, and fine to take care of.
Domergurl, I think that's the kind of floor we are getting in our new house.
The husband doesn't think it looks quite as nice as a "real" wood floor, but he certainly thinks it looks okay. Was it durable?

How can he say it doesn't look real? The top layer is oak, it's the other 5 layers that aren't oak. Both floors were and are durable.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by domergurl

How can he say it doesn't look real?

Because his middle name is "Persnickety."
Actually, the floor is now completely installed and he says it looks good.
It might actually be better than what we had before back in Denver.

[desertgirl]

I wish I had that option for a hardwoord or at least an engineered floor for my first floor. Most homes here where I live don't have basements, so the floors are only concrete.

cil,
I'm sure your floor is very nice. I've seen engineered floors and they look stunning. The engineered floors had some sort of cushion underneath. Felt very comfortable on the feet too. I've had solid oak hardwood in my prior home, so I can say, they were very comparable visually. I would think durability would be comparable too because the top layer is real wood. Because you mentioned only your husband's opinion, I was wondering whether there was something you don't like about your new floor?

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by desertgirl

Because you mentioned only your husband's opinion, I was wondering whether there was something you don't like about your new floor?

I've only seen pictures!
It's been sort of a long-distance situation.
But I have seen engineered floors in other homes.