Hardwood vs Laminate

[Kolbe31]

Friends, I need some advice. My wife and I recently purchased a new home, and are looking to re-do some of the flooring. The main floor has carpet in the family room and office area, and then a light color hardwood throughout the kitchen, dining area and hallways.

We're not particularly fond of the color of the hardwood, so if we were to keep it, we'd like to sand and re-finish to match what would end up going in the carpeted areas.

And then, there's the option of just ripping it all out, and putting laminate throughout. Obviously a less-expensive option.

I feel like I already know the answer but, is it a stupid idea to rip out hardwood and put in laminate?

[Canehdianman]

If you have kids or a big dog, I'd go laminate.

You can get some great laminates nowadays.

[VladtheImpaler]

Just add hardwood of the same type (white oak I guess?), sand and stain the whole thing and it will all be seamless and beautiful.

[You Need a Thneed]

Having seen the options out there and bought hundreds of thousands of square feet, is recommend neither. Go with LVP/LVT.

Hardwood can scratch, Laminate doesn't do well if it gets wet.

Good LVP won't scratch, isn't damaged by water, and is basically indistinguishable from real wood (or whatever else you want it to look like).

[dubc80]

If you're thinking replacement, look at vinyl plank.

We just moved into a new house as well, and we replaced the carpet with vinyl plank. You can get the stuff which "locks" with a tongue and groove system or you can get the floating, free laying stuff (which you can glue too).

Our stuff was $3.20/sq foot or so... you can always find it on sale at the big box majors, or negotiate with the smaller flooring specialty stores.

Tip: Instead of getting a tiny sample, the store should will let you take 2-3 full planks home to test the color. We had to match to existing tile, so this was way better. Plus, if you have a wood grain pattern, having a couple full planks side by side will give you a way better idea of what it will look like.

[opendoor]

I'd definitely do vinyl before I did laminate, but both are pretty pale imitations of real hardwood in terms of aesthetics. Though sometimes practicality wins out. If it's an area that sees a ton of traffic or wear then vinyl might make more sense.

[sa226]

Its such a weird thing to think about resale, especially when you just bought the place. But its worth having in the back of your head.

People will notice if it isn't hardwood. Which is fine, as long as its nice. Don't get some weird laminate that looks weird or is a stupid imitation of hardwood. On a personal level, I'm not a fan of floating floors because I don't like the feel of the "floating." And if your subfloor isn't completely level, the floating will be exaggerated in places.

Hardwood absolutely scratches and dents and everything else, but it can be refinished over and over.

I'm probably a hypocrite about the resale thing. I didn't put granite or quartz countertops in because the laminate was way cheaper and still looks great. I'm quite certain if they're still there when we eventually sell, the first thing people will notice is that its laminate countertops.

[photon]

I've done vinyl plank in rentals, never thought about it in my own home but looks like there's stuff out there that's nice and thick and sturdy so yeah I'd definitely investigate that.

There are laminates that are quite thick as well so feel more like a hardwood floor instead of the more flexible thin stuff, but the damage from moisture is a good point.

[edslunch]

We used bamboo in the basement. Real wood but click together installs like laminate. Not inexpensive though.

[You Need a Thneed]

It will still take a while, but the days of hardwood being the king of floors in people's minds will end.

Seriously if you want to spend more money on a lesser quality floor, go hardwood.

[SportsJunky]

I'd stay away from lvt/plank vinyl on the main floor. It won't hold it's value. I put it down in my basement and I love it but I'd definitely do Hardwood on a main level.

Laminate won't traditionally hold it's value or look as nice either. Unless your talking about a locking cork or leather or bamboo type floor. Then I'd definitely recommend it. I've installed all three and that stuff holds up extremely well and looks tremendous.

[PepsiFree]

I both love and hate threads like this, since everyone has a different opinion and is equally 100% theirs is correct I end up nowhere closer to learning something.

Except that laminate kinda sucks.

[calgaryblood]

Everyone these days is putting engineered hardwood. If you are going to put laminate, get it from Costco.

[squiggs96]

I went with porcelain tile in my house. There are some that look like wood if that's important to you. There are some that look like fake wood, which I wasn't a fan of. The reason I went with tile, instead of hardwood/laminate/engineered hardwood, was I wanted the main floor to be all one material. Although I prefer the look of engineered hardwood, it sucks if you drop a pot in the kitchen and damage your floor. You can't just replace that one spot. If you drop the same pot on tile, you only have to replace a pot at worst.

[automaton 3]

Since you already have the hardwood installed, unless it is damaged beyond repair I'd suggest you keep it and refinish. The caveat is that if you have dogs or small children it will show some wear.

[Bigtime]

Laminate: Cheapest option, lots of decors out there and better print quality has led to a much more realistic look. Buy from someone that also stocks the transition pieces (nosing, reducer, t-mould) so you don't have to search around for them after (like everyone that buys at Costco and pays too much for laminate does). Also ensure E1 or CARB certification for formaldehyde content.

Vinyl: Lots of variation in types, 2mm peel & stick, 4mm click, 6mm and 7.5mm click with drop end and composite core. 100% waterproof and waterproof options make it more attractive versus laminate but for a higher price. Can be harder and colder underfoot though. Ensure E1 or CARB certification for formaldehyde and also 100% phthalate free. Phthalates are a carcinogenic agent that Home Depot was found to have in their vinyl products.

Solid Hardwood: Lifetime floor, yes it will scratch and dent (even the hardest species), but can always be re-sanded and finished. Single boards can be removed and replaced by a pro if you wanted to (about $40 per board). Still my personal favourite.

Engineered Hardwood: Very similar to solid hardwood, except that the ply-core allows for better dimensional stability, so you can have wider planks (4" or more) in our drier climate with less issues (gapping, cracking, etc). The top layer veneer of real wood may not allow for a re-sand (or maybe just one), however it can be re-screened and coated professionally and single boards can be replaced just like solid hardwood.

[topfiverecords]

I'll add: Trust Bigtime's knowledge of flooring products! He knows his stuff.

What's your square footage, and what is the cost per sq.ft. you're hoping to keep it to?

[bossy22]

I've had Laminate, Cork, and hardwood. I liked the hardwood the best. We had brazilian cherry hardwood. Was super strong and durable, but still did scratch. Cork, couldn't take any abuse. Good for a guest room or something, but I wouldn't put in a high traffic area.
Right now, I have tile, which is my favorite especially with a dog. But it's not for everyone. We have in floor heating so it makes it nice and toasty.

[GGG]

If you dance in your sink I'd recommend against cork

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Vinyl: Lots of variation in types, 2mm peel & stick, 4mm click, 6mm and 7.5mm click with drop end and composite core. 100% waterproof and waterproof options make it more attractive versus laminate but for a higher price. Can be harder and colder underfoot though. Ensure E1 or CARB certification for formaldehyde and also 100% phthalate free. Phthalates are a carcinogenic agent that Home Depot was found to have in their vinyl products.

I should expand on my point about Vinyl - I wouldn't get 2mm peel and stick stuff. Good quality, 8mm click jointed, cork backed. One example - Torlys everwood. I guarantee that everyone who walks on this stuff will think they are walking on hardwood - 99% of people couldn't even tell the difference if they looked up close to the surface. The look is that good now.