Hardwood floors

[Ted]

I didn't want to start this in OT at the current time. So, I started it here. So, shutup.

I'd like to rip out my living room carpet, and put in hardwoods. Or fake hardwoods. What is the best combination of decent floors at a low cost?

[jtaco1]

In our old house we installed Armstrong brand laminate floowing. It was the narrower version with chamfered edges. It looked great and was strong as hell. I seem to remember that it was around $3.25/square foot. There are also pre-finished hardwood floors that are around the same price to a little more, or a lot more, jsut depends on what you are looking for. I would go this way again in a heartbeat, they are making laminates that are very close to real wood in looks, but surpass in function and durability.

Personally I would stay away from floors that will need to be installed, sanded and finished in place. The area that you are going to be doing will need to be left alone for several days while the stain and varnish cure, plus the sanding dust and fumes from the finishing process.

[KatzTRD]

We just did the Laminate from Lumber Liquadators. It was very easy to install yourself. But it is cheap. I have had a few already warp. Other than that it was worth it and the price was very good. I did the Kitchen, Living room and the Loft bedroom for about $700 total.

[Ted]

In our old house we installed Armstrong brand laminate floowing. It was the narrower version with chamfered edges. It looked great and was strong as hell. I seem to remember that it was around $3.25/square foot. There are also pre-finished hardwood floors that are around the same price to a little more, or a lot more, jsut depends on what you are looking for. I would go this way again in a heartbeat, they are making laminates that are very close to real wood in looks, but surpass in function and durability.

Personally I would stay away from floors that will need to be installed, sanded and finished in place. The area that you are going to be doing will need to be left alone for several days while the stain and varnish cure, plus the sanding dust and fumes from the finishing process.

I don't want to get too fancy. I'd like to make a townhouse a rental in a few years.

[Ted]

We just did the Laminate from Lumber Liquadators. It was very easy to install yourself. But it is cheap. I have had a few already warp. Other than that it was worth it and the price was very good. I did the Kitchen, Living room and the Loft bedroom for about $700 total.

How many square feet did you use?

[Ted]

I like this cheap stuff.

click (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=3323&categoryId=418&sectionId=4&subCategoryId=0)

[locknload]

If you plan on renting it out, I would definately go with a laminate floor. I think it's more durable. We tested a piece of laminate first by letting our 80lb German Shepherd try to dig a hole through it. She gave it a hurtin' but didn't scratch through the surface. If it was real wood it would have been shredded.
The only problem with a laminate that if it does nick or scratch, you can't refinish it like real wood.

Like I said, I'll give ya a hand when you're ready to install.

[Ted]

The next question is, should I just do the living room? Or do the whole floor. second floor, which includes the kitchen.

[KatzTRD]

I dont remember how many square feet we used, but ill guess.....
I think total was around 650 sq/ft

Yup that is it right there in that link you posted. Real easy to install. Just like Mike said its real tough to scratch and tear up, as the only issue I have is out of all 650 sq/ft 2 of then warped and the corners are not flush. But that could be because my floor was a little off.

[Ted]

What other stuff did you need for the install?

[jtaco1]

Laminate goes in really easy, we used the snap and lock type that locks together when it lays flat, works really nice and doesn't buckle. Other laminates are T&G with some glue. You put the padding down as well to minimize squeaks, our had the padding built in, one of the reasons it was a little more, but you would need the padding either way.

Start on a long wall and work your way out, leave around 1/4" gap around the perimeter for expansion, then cover with shoe molding when done. A miter saw and hand saw were all that we needed.

Make sure that you get something that will be durable, if you plan on renting it out, you may wnat to go with something that is very durable, which most likely will not be on the cheaper side. Tenants are not always the most conciensious about floors and I would imagine that you would not want to have to replace the floor again in the future for quite some time if at all.