Replies

1. 
   Ted_Weddell | Aug 18, 2000 04:55pm | #1

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   Go with real wood. This is your home, not the office or a health club.

   Laminant floors are tough and low maintanence but look like linoleum with seams. True, It won't last if its not installed properly but isn't that the case with anything? Actually, it would be an exelent choice for the recroom or a finished basement. But don't use it in the main living spaces.

   As for durability, a "moisture cured polyurethane" I understand, is supposed to be quite tough.

2. 
   Guest_ | Aug 18, 2000 07:40pm | #2

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   Mary,

   In most applications, wood composite floating floors are far superior to standard wood flooring.

   No, there is no difference between wood composite floors and standard select grade flooring for repeatability of pattern, there isn't any. The top layer of wood floating floor is normally 1/8 to 1/4 inches thick wood veneers and is not like cheap pergo or wilsonart type laminates.

   These floors are tougher than regular wood floor finishes and are maintained the same way. The real advantage is that it does open up or move the same as strip flooring and therefore retains that close fit better.

   Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 19, 2000 01:43am | #3

   *Mary,

   The two issues that I have come across are. . . Most "veneer" wood floors of the type Gabe speaks of are limited in reparability. Laminated floors are not. Veneer floors can be refinished once, maybe. Laminated floors never. Most veneer wood floors have a chamfered edge to help disguise alignment problems. If you refinish you lose the chamfer. . . Refinishing is difficult at best since most floors are only 1/8" thick. Not easy to work a drum sander over it.Choosing a solid wood floor will give you many times the ware then any other type floor and can be easily repaired (in most cases) and refinished.

   View Image © 1999-2000"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 19, 2000 03:14am | #4

   *Hi Joe,I know and appreciate where you're coming from on this but have you ever installed KAHRS flooring from Sweden? Check out the site at kahrs.com and look at a model called Ash London. One of the most spectacular floor designs that I've ever installed.Catch you later my friend,Gabe

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 19, 2000 03:38am | #5

   *Hi Gabe,

   I've had good luck with Mannington veneer floors. Their veneer is about 3/16" thick. Don't get me wrong I'm not opposed to these floors I just wanted to state some of my observations. I like wood floors, but I think that the composite floors are good too if used in the right locations.

   View Image © 1999-2000"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 20, 2000 08:50pm | #6

   *Joe:Which Mannington product are you referring to? I try to stear people away from it as the wear layer is one of the thinnest I've seen. Check out the Mirage engineered at boa-franc.com/en/engi.html as it has one of the thickest wear layers I've seen in an engineered(veneer) wood floor. Gabe that Kahrs Ash London is one WILD looking floor!

2. 
   Guest_ | Aug 21, 2000 05:28am | #7

   *I like solid wood for a few reasons. Its easy to repair. It doesn't use toxic things (formeldehyde, etc.) in its manufacturing process. When the floor is finally worn out (after you're dead), it can be burned, reused, or composted. By contrast, laminates and veneers will go to a landfill. Lets consider the future when we choose our methods and materials. I don't mean 20 years ahead, I mean 200 years.

3. 
   mary_epperson | Aug 21, 2000 05:48am | #8

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   We have heard varying opinions on pros and cons of putting in laminate wood flooring as opposed to real wood floors. Cost is not the real issue here, we're more concerned with the look and maintenance. We've been told that the laminates come in only one pattern sheet for each design so you tend to get patterns in big rooms. Also have been told about shrinking if they are not laid properly. We want something that will last but that won't be a maintenace nightmare. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks