We are putting down laminate wood flooring in the living room! No more carpet. The living room has been TORN apart though and I sit and type with heart palipitations, not from the excitement from the removal of carpet, and painting, but from the fact that I have been forced to live in a tiny area of my home. With 3ds's it's tough. Not to mention my 9month old came down with a fever and is covered in red spots. The weather is so warm ds is so uncomfortable.

Do you have laminate wood flooring or better yet if your lucky enough real wood flooring? If so do you prefer bare floors or do you prefer to add an area carpet to anchor the room? I think I will just add some colorful throws (mats)?

I finally get to relax for a bit!

By Colette on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 08:30 pm:

We have real, old birch wood flooring that we had refinished. I didn't want to cover it with anything after the initial refinisheing but we ended up buying some orientals for the living room and the foyer. The kitchen just has a small rug by the back door.

By Momaroze on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 08:38 pm:

Nice, Colette.

By Bea on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 11:32 pm:

We have hard wood throughout the house, except the kitchen, where we have wood laminate. I love carpets and use one or more in each room.

By Momoffour on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 11:45 pm:

We just put down laminte flooring I love it. although It seems like I sweep and Mop more than what I vaccumed. The only thing I am having a problem with is keeping its shine. I bought murhay wood flooring soap and it cleans it but it don't keep its shine. but I do love it more than carpet. but if anyone knows how I can keep the shine let me know.

By Bea on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 12:47 am:

I simply spray Windex on mine ,and mop with an almost dry sponge mop. It cleans and looks great.

By Feona on Sunday, August 15, 2004 - 06:15 am:

How much cheaper is the laminite?

Real thick wood was very expensive as I remember.

I think the kids will chew up anything you have down.

How long does the laminite take to put down?

Refinishing took like 2 weeks. (2 coats.) Cost about $1200 for 500 square feet. (one floor)
Smell was terrible for 3 weeks. Mess was everywhere with saw dust. under closed doors. Husband had to clean it up. I was in shock.

By Mrse on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 05:42 pm:

We just got real wood flooring from a demolition sale, so we have to pull out all the nails. we got 1200 sq feet for 45 dollars, the owners just wanted donation, and they went for the 45, unreal.I personally would not take up 1200 square feet for 45 bucks no way. We are going to plain it and sand it, and put our finish on, aparently their are finishes that do not take that long to dry. I will never have carpet in main area's again, we should have eneough hard wood to do the living room, kitchen and den, but the bedrooms will have to be carpet. carpet and my family do not mix, it was always thilthy, and I cleaned it so often, it looked aweful so I am for the hard wood, or laminate, we just lucked out big time with this flooring we got.

By Momaroze on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 09:51 pm:

That is an unreal deal, 45.00!!!!

It's costing us around 600.00Cdn to do the living room. Laminate flooring is extremely durable. The new laminate has underlay now so all you have to do is "click" it in so to speak. Apparently according to our friends who have it throughout their home it's very simple to do. We are finished patching walls, finshed de-creaking the floors (wasn't that bad) and now almost to the painting stage. Then comes the flooring.

By Bea on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 11:30 pm:

We put wood grained Pergo in our kitchen seven and a half years ago. This is a fairly large kitchen, and it costs us $868.00 without labor. This kitchen opens directly to the back yard and pool. It gets lots of traffic, and has worn amazingly well. This was the old glue together board type, which was still very easy to do. I sweep it a few times a week, damp mop with Windex once a week, and it stays looking great.

By Colette on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 08:29 am:

I clean my floor like Bea, either a little windex or vinegar and they look great.

By Feona on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 08:39 am:

That is a great deal. Really so cheap you can change it every five or so many years if it wears not great.

Cheaper than refinishing! Sane mess.

By Feona on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 08:39 am:

That is a great deal. Really so cheap you can change it every five or so many years if it wears not great.

Cheaper than refinishing! Same mess.

By Andi on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 10:49 am:

We just tore out our carpet this year and laid laminate through our whole house and I LOVE IT!!! I can totally relate with your excitement!! The only room's we left carpet in are the 3 bedrooms.

I chose to have an area rug in the Family room and in the Office. I like the look and it's still easier to clean than carpet.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

By Momaroze on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 09:52 pm:

You do know how I feel. Thanks Andi!