laminate flooring advice

analogmusicman

so the "flex" of my kitchen floor won't allow tile. (yeah,I could try the "reflex" thinset which is supposed to make it ok but I'm hesitant since the John Bridge website doesn't mention it) I'm going to go with laminate flooring especially since my wife thinks it looks good. (she's probably influenced by all those shows on HGTV where laminate flooring is always used)
the question is a simple one: which manufacturer puts out the best laminate flooring?how much should I expect to pay?

tnx,

joecaption

Has she even seen engineered flooring?
Far better look, simple to install, will not look like cheap plastic like a laimite will because it's real wood.

brockmiera

If you ever make it up to Denver, there is a floor and decor in Highlands Ranch. Huge flooring warehouse that you can see all sorts of laminates, engineered, real wood, tile. I like it better than the home improvement stores. I'm sure the springs has something like it as well. Anyway they range in price from $0.79 / sq ft and up.

analogmusicman

if it wasn't for the fact that my "srevice dog" is a big "Golden retriever" with claws to match, "engineered hardwood" would be my choice, BUT,the kitchen floor has to be "bullet proof" as far as scratches go.

tnx,

joecaption

The finish on a quality engineer floor is not the same finish as on a finished on site floor, not even close.
It's almost has had as laminite.
I've foster dogs for many years and sometimes have up to 5 running around and the floors still look new many years later.

funfool

There are so many different laminate manufacturers That would be hard to say which is best.
I imagine some may be better then others, In my humble opinion, is like comparing turds .... which turd is better then the other?

But I have installed miles of it, and seen most hold up really well, even in kitchens and bathrooms.
Problem is, if you get any water damage, say a line breaks under the sink and floor gets wet.
Is just made out of pressed paper or some by product from some unknown source, but it will not take any moisture.
Good news is, you can replace the damaged boards.
Bad news is you have to tear 1/2 the floor out to get to it, and remember where all the pieces go.

Engineered wood flooring would be a grade or two above laminate, And if the budget allows for it, is what I would choose.

This means my cheap remodel is getting laminate

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woodman58

ARMSTRONG Grand Illusions is a good floor resonably priced.

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Canarywood1

[QUOTE=analogmusicman;1101927]if it wasn't for the fact that my "srevice dog" is a big "Golden retriever" with claws to match, "engineered hardwood" would be my choice, BUT,the kitchen floor has to be "bullet proof" as far as scratches go.



Aluminum oxide finish is what's on engineered flooring,really hard stuff.

joecaption

And engineered flooring will not lower the value of the home. Laminite will.
Ever seen an ad in the paper stating laminite floors through out? Not likly.

analogmusicman

hmm...I'm getting the idea that nobody in here thinks "laminate" is very "cool"! maybe engineered hardwood IS the way to go.

tnx,

Canarywood1

No maybe's, it's definitely a better choice.

Awoodfloorguy

An even better choice is prefinished hardwood. For the cost of a good laminate or engineered wood floor, you can get a prefinished hardwood and it is better than both. It can be refinished more times in the future. So it will far out last either laminate or engineered wood.

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analogmusicman

so,which is a good manufacturer of engineered hardwood flooring? anybody dealt with BuildDirect.com? are their products good?

tnx

Awoodfloorguy

I have not dealt with build direct, but have definitely heard of them. Some good engineered flooring manufacturers are; shamrock, real wood floors, stang-lund, homerwood, mirage, or appalachian. If you are interested in exotic engineered, we ship nationwide.

Here are some links:

Character grade/Brushed , wide plank domestic woods - http://stang-lund.com/

Domestic unfinished and prefinished engineered & Prefinished, Also have handscraped - http://www.shamrockplankflooring.com/front/

http://realwoodfloors.com/

Prefinished domestic engineered - http://www.miragefloors.com/ENG/

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