@151949 wrote:
@Tigriss wrote:
My aunt and uncle did a wide vinyl plank flooring. It was the best thing since they have dogs and teenage grandchildren. It would have been super nice to have it when the grandkids were babies. They steam clean them without worry. I've not found a laminate that doesn't feel like laminate and have a hollow/plastic sound when walking on it barefoot or in shoes. It kind of creaks. The good news is no one can sneak up on you. The vinyl is super durable and quiet. My sister has laminate with kids and loves it. She does steam clean hers. Some manufacturers don't recommend anything but dry mop and spot clean with damp rag/mop. I would love the vinyl plank in my home. I'm not huge on resale potential value decrease since vinyl does look super great, but it isn't as valued as wood. It suprises people that it is vinyl and doens't have the upkeep that laminate and wood has. I would see what flooring companies have in your area and get the best warranty/product you can buy.
I disagree with you about laminate. I think perhaps your creaky floor was not properly installed.We put laminate in the hallway from our garage into the living room. It gets walked on more than any other floor in our house, we've had it about 5 years now, does not make any noise, looks exactly like a hardwood floor.We couldn't be happier with it. Cleans simply with dry dusting daily, and cleaning with bona weekly.
I admit I've seen cheap laminate floors at the big box stores that just scream out I AM MADE OF PLASTIC.However, those are not the only laminate out there. If you go to a good flooring store you can see much much better choices.
It isn't the floors creaking/squeaking as much as the sound of the foot/shoe on the laminate. Some do creak like one of my friends. Her parents put it in and go low budget the cheapest product and cheapest install they can find. It SHOWS. My sister's floors are the sound of contact with the foot/shoe versus creaking but it is just similar. I just know that for napping babies/kids you are very aware of each footfall. It is good because we can hear the kids when they wake at night and make their way into the master so you are expecting them. I also apply that to others walking around like guests and future times when the kids are teenagers. I'm just funny about house sounds that are out of place like the subtle hu of appliances you are used to until the power goes and then the loud silence that follows. You don't realize they are all humming until then.
I'm weird about sounds and light at night when all is supposed to be quiet and dark. I drape dark towels over alarm clocks and put electrical tape over things with little lights you can't turn off. I stayed in a hotel at a conference that had a bright red light coming out of the box on the back of the tv. I didn't have my tape so I draped my pants over it. Then I almost forgot my pants. I bring clothespins to pin the curtains shut since they don't really black out the ambient light. I also tape the door crack and put towels down on the bottom to block that light. I also hear the neighbors' tv, shower, toilet even at 5-star hotels. I'm better alone versus with guests/kids. You know how you become hyper-aware of sounds and things when you first have kids and when they are young that doesn't go away until they do. That awareness of sounds/lights.
The funny thing is storms and nature sounds like frogs/crickets/locust I sleep right through. Those sounds belong there, but the others......nope....wide awake.
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