I'm looking for cost effective laminate flooring for the DIYer. I'm
thinking of redoing the whole main floor of my home with it, which
consists of foyer, hall, closet, half bath, kitchen, living and dining
rooms. Any pros and cons to doing the kitchen? I was originally
thinking of just laying tile there for a "traditional" look.

Anyone know of "cheaper" cost for laminate flooring as opposed to the
traditional Lowe's and Home Depot stores? I live in the Baltimore
area. The cheapest I've seen so far is $1.50 to $1.75 a square foot
of Pergo. We don't plan on living in our house "forever", but the
carpets look hideous and it would probably sell better and easier
without that carpet as an eyesore.

"Jones" wrote in message

Anyone know of "cheaper" cost for laminate flooring as opposed to the
traditional Lowe's and Home Depot stores? I live in the Baltimore
area. The cheapest I've seen so far is $1.50 to $1.75 a square foot
of Pergo. We don't plan on living in our house "forever", but the
carpets look hideous and it would probably sell better and easier
without that carpet as an eyesore.


The closeout store (Odd Lots, Big Lots, etc) have had it for $1 a foot. Not
as nice as the higher prices, but you don't seem to care about quality so
take a peek. I did not see any matching trim though if that is needed.

On 10 Oct 2004 19:53:38 -0700, Jones wrote:
I'm looking for cost effective laminate flooring for the DIYer. I'm
thinking of redoing the whole main floor of my home with it, which
consists of foyer, hall, closet, half bath, kitchen, living and dining
rooms. Any pros and cons to doing the kitchen? I was originally
thinking of just laying tile there for a "traditional" look.


I used laminate on a "garage converted to family room" that was carpet
on slab when we bought the house, with the "bonus" that the room had
been home to a not so well housebroken dog by the former tenants, Oh
Joy!.

It's Good Enough--at the time it was the most attractive option that
would play nice with a slab, though now there are nicer "Engineered
wood" things available.

In a kitchen, the newer "snap together" laminates generally have to be
assembled with glue to maintain a water seal. They do NOT like water,
but if they're properly sealed, they'll do okay.

If there's no reason not to, consider hardwood. Amortized over ten
years, it's not all that more expensive, with the bonus that you can
amortize it over 100 years or so.

Think, long and hard, before you do the kitchen in any style laminate! I did
several rooms in my house with the Lowes self-stick "honey oak" and love it
for the most part! However, the kitchen is a "bear" to keep clean! Any
little spot shows up immediately and if you drop a pot or pan, you get big
time dents that show up great, in a well lighted kitchen. Would not do it
again in that room!

Bill
"Jones" wrote in message
m...
I'm looking for cost effective laminate flooring for the DIYer. I'm
thinking of redoing the whole main floor of my home with it, which
consists of foyer, hall, closet, half bath, kitchen, living and dining
rooms. Any pros and cons to doing the kitchen? I was originally
thinking of just laying tile there for a "traditional" look.

Anyone know of "cheaper" cost for laminate flooring as opposed to the
traditional Lowe's and Home Depot stores? I live in the Baltimore
area. The cheapest I've seen so far is $1.50 to $1.75 a square foot
of Pergo. We don't plan on living in our house "forever", but the
carpets look hideous and it would probably sell better and easier
without that carpet as an eyesore.