Laminate Flooring?

[EddieWalker]

For cutting the bottom of door trim, I paid $100 for a Dremmel copy of the Multi Master. It doesn't have the power or reputation of the Multi Master, but it's easy to use, there are blades and assessories for it at every box store and it's less then a quarter of the cost of the Multi Master. Rockwall makes a verstion too, but I've had good luck with Dremel tools and figured I'd go with them.

I use it for everything. I realy like it for sheetrock. Or just about anything that's in place and needs to be trimed. It's really one of those must have tools!!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie

 

[clemsonfor]

For cutting the bottom of door trim, I paid $100 for a Dremmel copy of the Multi Master. It doesn't have the power or reputation of the Multi Master, but it's easy to use, there are blades and assessories for it at every box store and it's less then a quarter of the cost of the Multi Master. Rockwall makes a verstion too, but I've had good luck with Dremel tools and figured I'd go with them.

I use it for everything. I realy like it for sheetrock. Or just about anything that's in place and needs to be trimed. It's really one of those must have tools!!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie

Is that one of those vibrating saw things that you saw the infomercials for that cuts tile and drywall. The one that the catalouge meegers (sp) or whatever its called that sells the real expensive wood workin tools, sell the $300 vibrating tools? i bought a HF version for about $35 i bought it for a specific use for really onetime. It worked great but the dremmel blades dont match up so i have to buy the HF ones and they are not that good and cost about as much as the dremmel blades. I got mine to cut along a jamb to remove some pine boards that were put in to fill in where some walls were removed to level up the the hardwood. It was one of my suprises as i removed the carpet in my house.

 

[bdeboer]

Is that one of those vibrating saw things that you saw the infomercials for that cuts tile and drywall. The one that the catalouge meegers (sp) or whatever its called that sells the real expensive wood workin tools, sell the $300 vibrating tools? i bought a HF version for about $35 i bought it for a specific use for really onetime. It worked great but the dremmel blades dont match up so i have to buy the HF ones and they are not that good and cost about as much as the dremmel blades. I got mine to cut along a jamb to remove some pine boards that were put in to fill in where some walls were removed to level up the the hardwood. It was one of my suprises as i removed the carpet in my house.

He is talking about Dremmel version of the Fein Multimaster. I have one also. Bosch (who owns Dremmel) is coming out with an adapter ring that will allow their blades to fit on other tools. I don't know if this will help you, but the ad I saw in a magazine shows the Multimaster with Dremmel blade.

 

[bdeboer]

I have installed Laminate in the living areas of three of our rental properties. It has held up well even in the two that have it in the kitchen. The one renter pretty much destroyed the 3 bedrooms carpet in 15 months but did not hurt the laminate or clean it for that matter. I did caulk the edges in the kitchen areas with a clear silicone caulk.

The first one I did with the cheap .69/sq.ft. junk. Actually my wife did most of it because I was going to trash it. The tongue and groove was very small, with little room for error and we threw away alot of it. I had purchased 1,000 square feet at auction for $75 and needed 600. The stuff with the larger tongue and groove purchased on closeout (Lowes/Menards/Home Depot) from Pergo/Armstrong etc. seems to install easier. Plan on destroying your saw blades with the stuff as it is very hard. I installed some Pergo with pad already attached and liked how it felt/installed and would go this way again.

I have also had good luck with a commercial laminate meant for the application in restrooms. The tongue on this product was glued, and again all edges were caulked. This has been in for 3 years without trouble. I believe Witex from Germany made this. I purchased this at the same auction as the cheap wood looking laminate, and would expect this to be in excess of $5/sq.ft.

That being said, in my personal home I have pre-finished hardwood or ceramic tile for a similar price point. The installation is more, but the end result is much better.

The laminate we normally purchase is always discontinued stock etc. from the box stores.

 

[Pushing_Tin]

Our last home had oak hardwood and our three dogs pretty much destroyed the floor over a couple years. When we built our new house we decided to go with a high end laminate that looks just like wood, but is far more durable. We chose Wilsonart "red label" and are very happy with it. The higher end floors with special pad underneath make it nearly imopossible to tell it's not real hardwood. People ask all the time what kind of wood our floors are. :laughing:

We do not mop them though, we use a steamshark and it works great and doesn't get them too wet.

Wilsonart Flooring - Homeowner

 

[Rob-D]

You get what you pay for.
I've installed solid oak and laminate flooring both. Each has it's good and bad points but never buy the particle board with the thin veneer on top of it as water will ruin it in no time or it will wear through.

I just put down Allura Traffic Master from HD. First, I know how to put down flooring, tile, etc. and you must know how to do it right or you could be less than satisfied.
Anyway this is a WATER PROOF floor that can be used in bathrooms, kitchens, etc. It looks excellent and I expect it to hold up very well. I will, however, put down area rugs in high traffic areas.
It's not cheap but the last thing you want is to put down a cheap floor that lasts a year or less when water hits it.

Here's some info on it, they have new styles now and if it works out well I may do other rooms with it. So far I am very satisfied and the salesman at HD said everyone loves it. He also said forget the particle board flooring they sell, it's junk.


TrafficMaster Allure Vinyl Flooring | Apartment Therapy Los Angeles

Rob

 

[EddieWalker]

Is that one of those vibrating saw things that you saw the infomercials for that cuts tile and drywall. The one that the catalouge meegers (sp) or whatever its called that sells the real expensive wood workin tools, sell the $300 vibrating tools? i bought a HF version for about $35 i bought it for a specific use for really onetime. It worked great but the dremmel blades dont match up so i have to buy the HF ones and they are not that good and cost about as much as the dremmel blades. I got mine to cut along a jamb to remove some pine boards that were put in to fill in where some walls were removed to level up the the hardwood. It was one of my suprises as i removed the carpet in my house.

This is what I have. "+p_strTitle+" Demo&tp=

I'm very pleased with it and find myself going to it all the time. It's one of those tools that I wonder how I got along without it. For the money, it's really a handy thing to have and will be one of those things that I give out for Chritmas this year. Nobody would be disapointed in getting one!!!

Eddie

 

[Marlowe]

It's been about eighteen years ago now but I put Pergo glue together laminate in my house. It's still there and good as new. Virtually waterproof and has stood up to countless dogs and kids. Spills wipe up and it's a breeze to clean. A pain to install but it's taken a licking and still kicking.

About seven years ago I put Armstrong snap together laminate in my mom's house. It lasted about five minutes before I hated it. Not at all waterproof. The joints slide and leave gaps. It's a waste of money and cost as much as the Pergo. It was quick and easy to put down but what does that matter when it needs to be replaced almost before you finish the install?

 

[coobie]

We are are going to have our laminate floor dealer install the the quick-step floor.From what I have read the quick-step flooring is a pretty good quality product,at least i hope so.Thanks for all of your replies.coobie.

 

[clemsonfor]

We watch on TLC "flip this house" and the Montalongo home buyers/flippers in texas use that quick step. It looks good and in their shows it seems like it was pretty pricy per foot, but they talked it up on the show, of couse im sure there was some money involved with that though.

 

[clemsonfor]

This is what I have. "+p_strTitle+" Demo&tp=

I'm very pleased with it and find myself going to it all the time. It's one of those tools that I wonder how I got along without it. For the money, it's really a handy thing to have and will be one of those things that I give out for Chritmas this year. Nobody would be disapointed in getting one!!!

Eddie

Yep Eddie thats what i thought you were talking about. I have a HF copy. The only proble with mine is that i cant buy the Bosch blades for it. I got the cheaper one speed from HF not the variable one that almost twice the cost. I paid i think $34 for mine. I am really impressed it has plenty of power, but like most HF things their blades leave something to be desired. It cuts fast untill the bades dull which even for them was not as fast as i expected, but the HF blades cost the same or jsut a $1 or so less then bosch, and i have to drive 45 mins to get to HF. Again like i said i bought it for 1 purpose wheni was patching and refinishing my hardwood floors and i had to cut out a board under a wall to replace it, and the was going to be visible so i had to cut straight down the inner door casing. I still have it and dont forget but have not used it yet. IMO it was worth the $34 i paid to cut the few things i did when fixing my HWs.

 

[Gem99ultra]

A few questions for you good folks who have installed Laminate flooring,how well does it hold up?What name brand did you buy?My wife and I are looking at installing the quick-step brand name,any thoughts good or bad?Thanks,coobie.

We have Quick-Step installed in about 1/2 of our house. Kept capet in bedrooms and tile in kitchen and bath.

We did have the Quick-Step installed by the dealer. Concrete floor did need to be leveled then water sealed with an underlament on top of that. We bought the quarter round at the same time as the flooring so the match would be perfect, and let the dealer to a tujrn-key job.

All total including the leveling, water proofing, install, etc., cost was about the same as carpet. The laminate looks super, is bullet-proof as far a scratches and wear. I don't think you could ever wear off the finish! What spouse likes is that when it's clean - it IS clean and looks clean, as opposed to carpet which you can never get all the dirt out of. She uses a dust mop with some sort of cleaner that you spray on the mop. Required very little maintenance.

What I don't like is that our two little (inside) dogs slip and slide when they they try to run on it. And I have to be careful if walking on it barefooted. Perhaps a more textured style with a more rough surface would cure that, or perhaps there is some slip proof cleaner/wax... I don't know. Of course, you never have to wax it. But I'd have second thoughts if there are elderly persons living in the house due to the possiblity of slipping and breaking a hip or something like that. We do have rug runners in the hallways and in the center of the living room which on learns to walk on if they're barefooted.

I think I'd do it again though. I've had solid hardwood floors before and they just don't hold up against wear, not to mention the cost. Tile floors are horrible; hard & cold. Lanoleum floors are not cheap, but they look cheap. I love carpet due to it's warmth and cushion, but they are a truley dirt collector.

So - put me down for a Yes vote for Quick-Step laminate flooring. But either let the dealer install it (which was cheap enough), or if you do it yourself, don't take shortcuts. We bought an extra case of the flooring that we've stuck in the attac 'in case' we ever have to replace a board. It'll last you until you are a very old person.