Laminated flooring

[Luv2Roam]

Who has installed laminated flooring in their home recently?
What did you buy and why?

We installed some Formica laminated flooring in a house right before we moved around two years ago. We really liked it, although it did have that hollow sound.

From what I have read, Formica sold their laminated flooring to Shaw (and is now owned by Warren Buffet).

There does not seem to be many comparisons between companies, if any.

We are just wanting to re-do the floor in our computer room. And having two big dogs who chew a lot of rawhides and carpet just don't mix well together. Laminated flooring works best for our lifestyle.

I am looking for recent experiences and suggestions on laminated. I know laminated flooring has changed a lot.

TIA

 

[georgina]

Our contractor put Alloc flooring in our addition and we like it better than the Pergo we had installed in the kitchen many years ago. It looks good and has held up very well (it's been 2.5 years now), no complaints.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Thanks.
Anyone else?

 

[Kermit]

We installed our own laminate floors about 3 months ago. We love them. We put them in the kitchen and breakfast nook, which is a big area with about 400 sq ft.

We installed the cheapest one we could find because we're moving and just wanted to replace the tired, scratched vinyl we had in there. We thought we'd have to baby it, but it's surprisingly durable. The boys have spilled water on it that I have found for at least an hour, and they've dropped their heaviest toys on it, but it's fine. Unfortunately, I don't remember what the name of it was. I'll ask my DH later and post back if he remembers.

 

[golfgal]

I would get the snap in place stuff that you don't have to glue, Wilsonart I think has this as do many of the manufacturers. They also have laminates that look like tile. Some of the laminates look more real then others so if you can find a display of the actual flooring that is more then one or two pieces you can get a better overall opinion of how it will look.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have gone into Floors Direct.
Last night we also went into Lowe's.
Of course you know how Lowe's (and Home Depot) are. No such thing as "sales help". They truly are DIY stores.
The one salesperson we saw at Lowe's was only concerned on hitting on some gal.
Oh - and I ran into a Home Depot during lunch yesterday. They did not even have samples to take home, although there were places for them.
Floors Direct was very helpful.
But DH is leaning towards Pergo, only because he liked the looks better than what Floors Direct carried.
We are shopping around before buying.
I think the cost will pretty much be the same. We just need to decide which is best for us.

 

[we3disneygo]

we bought our flooring at Sam's Club and did it ourself we have been very happy with the results.We did 2 bedrooms and a hallway!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I suggested Sam's and DH say no way.
His concern is there is not much in the way of customer service if you need to exchange, return it, or get replacement.
I would at least be open to it. But he appears to be more particular about it than I. Of course he will be the way laying it too.
This room should be a lot easier than the house he installed it in before. That was a hall, a 3/4 bathroom, closet, and garage and basement entry (with a start and a stop of stairways thrown in). Very condensed area with a lot of cut outs.

Our computer room is not 100% square, but much more simple than his last laminate endeavor.