Forums

Select a related forum
Discussion: Kitchen remodeling > Laminate Flooring
1 of 6

Considering having Laminate Flooring installed in the foyer, hall, breakfast area, kitchen, and laundry room where there is currently sheet vinyl. 

1.  Any general advice?

2.  Would you have sheet vinyl removed?  Plywood underneath is subfloor.  Potential installer recommends installing over sheet vinyl (which he claims makes a good base) because removal likely to damage plywood which would then have to be replaced.

3.  Any experience with Laminate flooring in kitchen and/or laundry room?

4.  Since Armstrong Laminate earned top marks in recent CR tests, am looking at  Armstrong's Grand Illusions Premium Laminate.  Any experience with this product and/or any Armstrong Laminate flooring?

5.  Is it important to use an installer certified by the manufacturer or fine to use any reputable  floor installer even if they are not experienced in the specific product? 

6.  Potential installer recommends installing planks in the longest direction of the longest
room(s).  This will result in the planks at my front door and entrance hallway running horizontally instead of vertically.  Any opinions?  

2 of 6
I would recommend against laminate in any area that might be exposed to moisture.  What you are looking at may be a better quality than the Shaw product we used but but ours has seam swells at any place where a spill has occurred, some I can't account for.  The manufacturer pretty much laughed at us when we talked about warranty.  Ours has been in less than a year when we had trouble.  The manufacturer rep says that all wood is affected by moisture so from their standpoint I am stuck.  The vendor is still working with us and I hope to get a resolution.  Get everything in writing as too what the warranty covers including the term "topical moisture"
If it were me, I'd stick with vinyl.  Any seam in the laminate and there are many, will let in moisture in the joint where there is no protection and no where for the moisture to go because of the "click joint" design.  Sooner or later you want into the room and it looks like mountain ranges are sprouting up in your room at the joints, in the right light and angle.  Looking straight down they don't look too bad but it isn't what I thought I was getting.
Good luck.
Kent
3 of 6
Despite its faults, laminate can do a great job in hard-working areas such as entry, foyer, and kitchen.  At our previous house we installed an early version of Pergo laminate (which means it didn't have nearly the long-wearing improvements that many have today) in our open-concept main floor, covering the entry/foyer, kitchen, and dining areas.  It was a beautiful warm product (visually and physically), was easy on the feet, and did a pretty good sound-proofing job for the floor below it.  After five years of snowy winters, sloppy kids, and quick dish-loading/unloading (altho no major spills that sat on the floor) it still looked great when we sold the house.  If you want something that lasts 30 years, you may be disappointed in laminate, but if you're not putting a huge amount of financial investment into your laminate and are willing to replace it when it gets worn, you may be very happy.
4 of 6

We installled top of Mannington's line in our kitchen 5 years ago.  We did the job ourselves and are extremely happy with the results.   We used tile looking laminate and get raves from all our visitors.  The laminate is warmer and softer than tile.  It does not chip and it cleans better than tile.  This application was a real winner for us.

We did a lot of prep work on the flooring to make sure it was flat, strong and level.   This same prep work is needed for tile and most other flooring.

5 of 6

Have not looked at Armstrong laminates yet but have looked at Pergo, Dream Home and Mohawk.  Mohawk is 9.5 mm and Pergo 6 mm in patterns we like.  Mowhawk is twice the cost. 

Also saw Vilange web site that recommends using one of their liscencees.  However, when I ask a sales person about that I get  blank stare.

Trying to do homework before I buy, so any suggestions would help.  We do intend to put laminate in one bathroom as well as entry, living areas anf Kitchen.

6 of 6

We have had Pergo in our great area (entryway, living & dining rooms and kitchen) for over 15 years. We have had no problems, and  It looks great and no different than it did upon installation.

One caveat is that it can be treacherous for  dogs, especially as they age.  We had to put  throw rugs out to keep them from sliding on the slippery Pergo.

 

 

 

My Membership Center
Welcome, Guest
Sign in
Guidelines
About Forums
Feedback
Recent Discussions

    This user has no recent discussion forum posts.

    View all my discussions
    Favorite Forums

      This user has no favorite forums.

      View all my favorite forums