topic Re: Still Debating Flooring in Home

Still Debating Flooring

Twins Mom — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:30:56 GMT

I have still not decided on flooring for main floor - wall to wall carpet, wood or luxury vinyl. I have LV in kitchen and like but the idea of replacing all door frames because of height difference is a deterrant. I hesitate on wood because that calls for area rugs. I am concerned about tripping hazzards. I like the idea of not having traffic patterns on carpet. I don't get on floor to play with kids as much but do occasionally. I have family room, dining room and office to work with.

Any updates on thoughts if your experience s? TIA

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Janey2 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:33:06 GMT

I have wood floors with no area rugs. Never had them.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

SaveTheTurtles — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:37:08 GMT

@Twins Mom We just had LVP put in our whole house last year. All rooms the same so there is no height variance. We LOVE it. Took carpst8ng out of living room and hallway as the traffic pattern was always there. I can't say enough. We did also have all new baseboards and shoe replaced as well. We had reall wood floors in the bedrooms but they would have needed to be redone and you can't lay LVP next to real wood as it would look bad. Make sure you get a reputable installer and company.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Meowingkitty — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:51:52 GMT

We have ceramic tile throughout the bottom floor. It looks like wood. Upstairs and the stairs we have wood. Tile in all bathrooms and laundry room. Not a fan of vinyl anything. I was told it can tear if you drag something across it.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Q-Checker — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:58:06 GMT

I think that wall to wall carpeting is out of style now -- having said that, I have it on the main floor and one set of stairs in my house and I love it! It is warm and comfortable to walk on, and the solid color unifies the space. Visitors often compliment me on the carpet and how it works with the whole decor. I paid a lot of money for my wall to wall and (yikes) it has lasted and still looks good after several decades! Quality almost always works for me in the end -- I try to buy high quality items for my home so that I seldom need to replace things due to wear and tear. In all fairness, I should add that some of the carpeted area does not get a lot of traffic. Aside from the quality, I also love the rich jewel tone color and am not sure that it would be available now. As you can tell, I am not a "trendy" person!

Re: Still Debating Flooring

shoesnbags — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:00:41 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
I have wood floors with no area rugs. Never had them.

I was just about to post the same thing.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Lucky Charm — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:33:33 GMT

I am a big fan of hardwood and tile (for baths and entryways/foyers).

I chose Ash because it's really tough. I even have it in my kitchen. Although I have a huge vinyl mat (3x5') in front of my sink and to my stove.

I also have vinyl mats at my entryways.

Mackenzie-Childs has some pretty ones. They protect your floor and can be cleaned easily. They are great from protecting your floors (whatever you choose) and you can lift them up and change them out to change your seasonal decor. There are lots of companies that make vinyl mats that are beautiful. They aren't a tripping hazard.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

On It — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 03:57:53 GMT

@Twins Mom We had luxury plank vinyl installed in our mountain home last year. It covers every inch of the floors throughout the house. I like the uniform look. We replaced the baseboards with a wider more current look. I really like the effect.

Installation team is critical. When we selected the flooring and the order was being placed, I told the scheduler that I am a perfectionist. I further said "good enough isn't." She looked a bit startled and then said that she would schedule us with ......... He had an assistant and the two of them laid the flooring and installed the baseboards. It is perfectly done.

We have no rugs due to our age and the risk of falling. I am careful with water. Some say it won't harm the flooring. Others caution care using water. Overall, I am pleased with our decision.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

AZfem — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 06:07:59 GMT

We have tile all over our house. It looks like distressed barnwood. Only have one rug half anchored under coffee table as we like looking at our floors.

There are so many pretty tiles that look like wood without the maintenance or cost.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Lilysmom1 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:06:46 GMT

@Meowingkitty I have wood and tile. I helped my sister when she moved into her new apartment that had vinyl. It did show tears when furniture was moved. It was a new bldg and she was the first occupant. Anyone else have this issue with vinyl? I was surprised.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

jackthebear — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:44:12 GMT

@SaveTheTurtles wrote:
@Twins Mom We just had LVP put in our whole house last year. All rooms the same so there is no height variance. We LOVE it. Took carpst8ng out of living room and hallway as the traffic pattern was always there. I can't say enough. We did also have all new baseboards and shoe replaced as well. We had reall wood floors in the bedrooms but they would have needed to be redone and you can't lay LVP next to real wood as it would look bad. Make sure you get a reputable installer and company.

same

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Jaspertimes — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 11:35:04 GMT

Hardwood. Mine is scratched where my former dog gained traction to bark at the mailman, but that just makes me think of him every time I see it. If you have pets it makes life a lot easier than hair in carpet.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Pittfanatic — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:22:13 GMT

I think it depends on your needs/situation. We downsized last year and removed the old carpeting and installed LVP throughout our new home. It was very high quality. We put those small, round, covers on the bottoms of all legs, etc., of all of our furniture so that it would slide easliy over the floors. We have had no problems with it. We have tile that looks like distressed wood in our condo on the other coast (we live in Florida). The place had just been totally renovated when we purchased it. That floor is very tough on my feet and my legs. I have had three knee surgeries and I can't walk on it in my bare feet. Tile also has grout that has gets dirty over time. LVP does not. It is much easier to walk on. Carpeting is pretty much out of favor here. Too many allergies. If you see it, it is only in the bedrooms.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

amyb — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:58:49 GMT

I'll be doing new flooring in my 25 y.o. condo that has burber carpeting, which I've loved all this time but has needed replacing for a while. I've been procrastinating this, (I hate the process and the disruption, plus my kitchen needs updating too), since it got postponed during Covid years, then prices increased so much, but has to be done and want to start looking again.

I'm definitely doing wood flooring this time. Probably an engineered wood. The most expensive, unfortunately, but it's an investment I want to make. Though I've seen nice vinyl, in expensive homes, I don't think I'll ever be as happy with that and always wish I had the wood. Plus, and this may or may not be a consideration for you if this is your forever home, but wood flooring will increase my resale value. I plan on probably carrying it into my small kitchen, but would not be opposed to something else in there.

I want the cleaner, updated look and more sanitary aspect of flooring. Anywhere I may put an area rug will be under a heavy piece of furniture, and not likely an area to trip over..not concerned with that...but again, this may be more of an issue to you.

I will put carpet in the bedroom again. I just much prefer a cozier look and feel there, and it doesn't get traffic or wear and tear there much.

I have to start this process over again...dread it but will be so happy to someday soon get it done!

I'm interested in others' experiences and thoughts here too. @AZfem I do love the look of your vinyl "reclaimed barn wood." Very nice.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

On It — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:31:36 GMT

@Lilysmom1 My son had vinyl plank in an apartment in 2015. It did not perform well. The edges were susceptible to damage. I spoke with our salesperson telling her I did not want luxury vinyl plank flooring because of his experience. She asked me when. Her reply was it has been vastly improved since that time. It has. Perhaps there are lesser grades that cause the problem.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

jackthebear — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:36:59 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
@Meowingkitty I have wood and tile. I helped my sister when she moved into her new apartment that had vinyl. It did show tears when furniture was moved. It was a new bldg and she was the first occupant. Anyone else have this issue with vinyl? I was surprised.

we are looking at flooring now, like everything there are differences in quality

perhaps a rental doesn't get the best?

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Sunshine Kate — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:52:11 GMT

I have wood floors in most of my home. There's an area rug in the living room and one in the master bedroom. No one has ever tripped on them. The rugs are not cheap or thin. I think those could be a trip hazard.

A realtor told us before buying a new home, that LV flooring is cheap, looks cheap and adds no value to the price of your home when selling. It's more of a deterrent because most people would want better quality flooring.

Personally, I don't like LV flooring at all. I agreed with our realtor.

I'm sure you will make the right decision for you, good luck.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

drizzellla — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:15:05 GMT

@Q-Checker I agree with you. I could care less what current trends are. I want comfort and floors that can handle traffic and living.

When we bought our house, I picked the carpet that would feel good when I walked bare foot. And also looked good. Didn't want stiff or thin carpet. It probably was one of the most expensive square foot. But it was well worth it. It still looks good after many years.

And when we got our kitchen redone. I also think we picked the most expensive vinyl flooring. It still looks good even though it gets lots of traffic. The design isn't what I would pick today. But I doubt I will be able to buy anything that will hold up as well as what I have. And it is so thick that it holds up well to traffic.

My husband is trying to sell me on wood flooring. I am not sold. My brother-in-law had a new house built recently. Within a month the wood flooring in his "open concept" living room, hallway and kitchen is scratched up. His grandkids were playing and put numerous long scratches in the wood. And right in the middle between the living room and kitchen.

My sister-in-law had to have parts of her beautiful wooden stairway replaced. Her grandaughters dragged their baby carriages up the stairs.

I like my carpet, tile and vinyl flooring. They all have served me well.

@Twins Mom it really depends on what your flooring deals with day to day. Do you have a dog? Or grass and mud/dirt dragged in regularly? Grandkids playing?

You said you have vinyl in the kitchen. When we had our vinyl flooring installed in our kitchen. They put a subfloor down, so everything carpet, tile and vinyl flooring are all on the same level. Have never tripped walking from one to another or had door frames altered.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

faeriemoon — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:17:16 GMT

@AZfem wrote:
We have tile all over our house. It looks like distressed barnwood. Only have one rug half anchored under coffee table as we like looking at our floors.
There are so many pretty tiles that look like wood without the maintenance or cost.

@AZfem I love this. I have something similar.

Re: Still Debating Flooring

Iwantcoffee — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:44:40 GMT

I too avoid area rugs to prevent falls.

I think any type of flooring has it advantages and disadvantages.