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Design Dilemma
dollyfi

Need help on flooring!

dollyfi
11 years ago
Currently doing new build, have two babies. Can't decide on flooring type for my hall, living and playroom. Want wooden floors but can't decide on solid floor, semi solid or laminate. Please help! Want what looks best but can't decide!
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Beautiful Space Co
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Hi dollyfi, all factors considered, I'd say a distressed engineered wood. I have kids (lots) and dogs, and the distressed wood will get more "distressed" when you have kids. (Especially boys it seems :) So you'll barely notice the change.

    With a typical non-distressed hardwood, you'll be worrying over every new (inevitable) scratch that comes along. No need for that extra stress in your life when you have babies to worry about and enjoy!

    Fwiw, for most of my construction career I've spec'd and worked with solid wood, finished in place hardwood. In the past 5 years or so however, many engineered wood floors have become a sensible alternative in many scenarios. They are more stable than solid, and can be refinished almost as many times. The price is typically more reasonably also. While I do love and will continue to spec finished in place wood for many projects, engineered distressed wood sounds perfect for yours!

    Steve

    • Comments (21)

    • olldcan
      11 years ago
      Solid is always my first choice, then engineered. Nobody can convince me that there is a good laminate out there.....ever.
    • PRO
      Brickwood Builders, Inc.
      11 years ago
      Hardwood, site finished.

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    • PRO
      SN Design Studio
      11 years ago
      An engineered wood. I have had experience with both hardwood and engineered and by far it is my favorite and my clients. First of all the real wood dents, scratches and gets worn SO easily. With children and pets that is always my concern. In a room that doesnt get things pushed across the floor or really put to use I'd say go for the hardwood. You should check out the engineered woods if you havent in most cases the engineered woods are so hard to even tell difference in look just their duribility!
    • PRO
      Brickwood Builders, Inc.
      11 years ago
      It dawned on me in a similar thread last week, that we tend to be using the term "engineered wood" synonymously with "prefinished flooring". Both are available unfinished (to be finished on site) and both are available as prefinished. I may be wrong, but from what I am reading in Houzz much of the time, the general consumer thinks prefinished is always engineered and that unfinished is always hardwood. Just a thought.
    • elcieg
      11 years ago
      last modified: 11 years ago
      Deborah, yes, thanks for addressing this. I have pre finished hardwood. I chose this option because I could be assured of the color on the grain. Spent the same amount of money as unfinished hardwood. The floors are gorgeous (hickory) and are cared for in the same manner. Down the road, if the floors need to be refinished, it can be done. I also installed radiant heat through out the house.
    • 9927
      11 years ago
      I am working on redecorating my home.
    • olldcan
      11 years ago
      Deborah, your right on there. It's unfortunate that some people don't do the research on products there considering to purchase for there home. Honestly many people selling it don't even have a clue. What is even worse is that it's always been like that and will always be. I represented 2 different flooring manufacturers for years, upwards of 100 different types of hardwood, engineered and laminate to 3 different big box home improvement stores. I just had to shake my head every time I heard, "gee I didn't know I wasn't supposed to" or "had I known" or "nobody told me" or "they're the same thing".


      Sorry dollyfi well as you can see none of us recommend a laminate. Do your homework prior to deciding on the flooring. Inside your home and your climate can have a vote too as to what to pick. Ask many question if theres something you don't understand about your warranty.
    • PRO
      Brickwood Builders, Inc.
      11 years ago
      And I guess what really hit me, is that I don't point out the difference many times when posting on Houzz. If we as professionals know the difference, then we need to make sure we don't add to the confusion. Probably a better discussion to have in the Pro category.
    • PRO
      Mint Design
      11 years ago
      Prefinished solid hardwood....Please do not do engineered or laminate. The advantage of prefinished is you will not have all the sanding and related dust in your home and hvac system. Ask for a low voc finish and preferably one you can wax so you can buff out any scratches...invest in an Oreck floor buffer/polisher/cleaner. Have you considered radiant heat under the floors? This will keep the room a more even temperature, be kind on crawling babies or bare feet, and eliminate winter duct dust and related allergens. :)
    • Susan Burgard
      11 years ago
      we just finished our house and put in solid hickory that was prefinished. It is holding up great and our kids (1 and 3) have not been able to scratch or dent it yet. Hickory is one of the hardest woods and is a great choice - the species you choose makes a big difference in how it will hold up.
    • Casa1220
      11 years ago
      Laminate is fake no matter what. I will never be fooled by it. I tend to feel that any nicks, scratches and dents in wood floors give it character. I did an engineered wood floor with pecan and hickory and it was beautiful (similar to Susan's pic above). So many colors it hid everything. Houses were meant to be lived in not looked at. Pick something you like and just enjoy it. I had my engineered floors for 7 yrs and they never looked like they were due for refinishing.
    • PRO
      ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings
      11 years ago
      last modified: 11 years ago
      You should have a professional installer in your area take a look at your home so you can discuss what end result you are wanting. You may need to use an engineered wood. This is still an all wood product and is much more dimensionally stable than solid wood. This is a huge advantage if you are in an older home or in the midwest where humidity levels can drastically change from season to season. A solid wood will cup or curl if humidity and moisture levels are not managed. Your installer should do a moisture test before installation to make sure the installation does not fail. All warranties will be voided if this step is not taken.
      Also, your transitions will need to be considered. Is the new wood floor going to butt up to tile, carpet, or vinyl? The height difference in the two products will need to be taken into consideration. You will have a greater selection of thicknesses in the engineered woods.
      Engineered wood should be several plys, all wood.
      If you choose a solid wood, the hand scraped versions are fantastic for a high traffic area with children.
      Hickory, Red Oak, most Brazilian Species, and even Bamboo are hard enough to take everyday traffic and still look terrific.
      Good luck!
    • elcieg
      11 years ago
      Valuable thread. Lots of good advice.
    • carolannr
      11 years ago
      Make sure you take into consideration where you live Solid wood tends to move and cup with the seasons - one friend even has a floor that swallows pencils into the cracks in the winters when the heat comes on. I do think the pre-engineered wood flooring has the warmth of solid wood plus less time-consuming installation (with finishing) and the finish usually lasts longer even with dogs and kids. I have seen quite a few solid oak floors down to the bare wood after a couple of years of kids and dogs, then having to give people the bad news of the refinishing that has to be done to restore its good looks and how long it takes.
    • carolannr
      11 years ago
      Make sure you take into consideration where you live Solid wood tends to move and cup with the seasons - one friend even has a floor that swallows pencils into the cracks in the winters when the heat comes on. I do think the pre-engineered wood flooring has the warmth of solid wood plus less time-consuming installation (with finishing) and the finish usually lasts longer even with dogs and kids. I have seen quite a few solid oak floors down to the bare wood after a couple of years of kids and dogs, then having to give people the bad news of the refinishing that has to be done to restore its good looks and how long it takes.
    • melissaco
      11 years ago
      Try looking at Engineered wood...due to the construction of this product it tends to resist expanding and contracting and because it has layers of plywood and a top vaneer of solid wood all compressed together, the solid wood on the top tends to be condensed or compressed making it a harder and more resistant to dents...it also is warm and inviting and you would never know it is engineered wood once it is installed.
    • User
      11 years ago
      I noticed on HGTV they have a discussion of what the differences are in the different type of woods. It told what the hardest most durable hardwood is etc. You might want to take a look.
    • User
      11 years ago
      I noticed on HGTV they have a discussion of what the differences are in the different type of woods. It told what the hardest most durable hardwood is etc. You might want to take a look.
    • clck
      11 years ago
      Noticed that most of the recommendations are on engineered wood. Actually, laiminated flooring is quite a good option, the resistence to scratch is really good, looks great and easy to clean. Its a good option for those who keep pets at home, not to mentioned for those with babies/toddlers too....esp when they start throwing their toys around.

      For liminated flooring....choose a brand that have the NALFA certification, this will give you some sort of peace of mind. Visit their website..... http://www.nalfa.com/
    • Dolly R
      11 years ago
      A great option is laminate if you get the right kind it is beautiful, scratch resistant and cost less if you know where to get it. I purchased my beautiful flooring from Build Direct at http://www.builddirect.com
      They have a brand called Toklo that is 12mm with a commercial rating of AC3, lifetime residential warranty and I paid an unbelievable price of only $1.79 per sq ft. I took a sample of this flooring to a floor specialist at my local Home Depot and they were very impressed with the quality and amazed at the price. Said I'd be crazy not to buy it!
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