Hardwood or laminate floors?

[MaxwellHouse]

Originally Posted by LunasMomma

If you can get real wood for about the same price, go for it! Laminate adds ZERO value to your home, while real wood increases the value. Plus it's gorgeous

That's my thought. If you plan on selling at some point, even 5-10 years, you will get your money back with hardwood. A lot of homebuyers do not want the laminate. We have it (soon to be replaced with tile) mainly because my husband is a carpenter and can't abide fake wood. But it is sure easy to clean.

[MaxwellHouse]

Sorry, I didn't see your decision before I replied.
Good choice.

[mistyinca]

It is done! I got my hardwood floors finished yesterday!

Here are the before and after pics...
entry.jpg <--This is the before; Wilsonart Northern Birch laminate
new entry.jpg <--This is the after; Lauzon Maple Engineered hardwood. We also had them do new baseboards throughout the whole downstairs, which let us get rid of the quarter-round moulding that was at the bottom of the old baseboards. I love it!

[RowdysMom]

It looks beautiful!!! I'm sure you will love it!

[Monday]

Oh I love your new flooring ... and the base boards really do add a nice touch, GORGEOUS!!!! and I love the color ....

I watch that TV show "My House Is Worth What???"
and they say that adding hardwood floors now will add like 10-15K to the selling price ... so you made the right decision ....

In a highly desirable location, you can sell your place with cardboard floors and get top price, (ie: NYC, LA, Chicago)
otherwise any thoughtful upgrading adds to the selling price ...


Location, location, location always rules in real estate .....

[LunasMomma]

GORGEOUS!!!!

The baseboards add a very nice touch, that was smart of you to get those done too

I wish we could afford to replace our laminate, I HATE it. If you walk on it barefoot, that leaves footprints and I have to mop like a madwoman to remove them Then the kids come home, and that's that

[mistyinca]

Thank you!
Yes, I did notice that it doesn't show the foot prints as much. It took us a minute or two to figure out that it is the fact that the laminate was very shiny, and this has a soft muted look. It is also a bit lighter and brighter than our laminate, even though it is pretty close in color. It brightens the room a bit--especially the kitchen where we have a deep green granite countertops and black appliances, so the lighter floor makes it a little brighter in there where we need it!

[RowdysMom]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

Thank you!
Yes, I did notice that it doesn't show the foot prints as much. It took us a minute or two to figure out that it is the fact that the laminate was very shiny, and this has a soft muted look. It is also a bit lighter and brighter than our laminate, even though it is pretty close in color. It brightens the room a bit--especially the kitchen where we have a deep green granite countertops and black appliances, so the lighter floor makes it a little brighter in there where we need it!

WOW! I bet that is VERY pretty - deep green countertops, black appliances and a lighter floor. I wouldn't have thought of that, but I bet it is gorgeous!