The last installment on wood floors – here is Ken discussing the wide array of laminates, with some of the decent ones selling in the mid-$2s per sf:
In our next video, carpet!
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This “wood” series has been VERY informative.
I’d love it if you could continue with the remaining types of floor coverings (including carpet)… and then maybe move on to other interior upgrades (i.e., counters, cabinets, fixtures, appliances, etc.)???
Laminates are rated for durability (AC rating) 1 – 5. AC3 is the basic decent quality consumer grade, though you do see AC2 even from name brands. AC4 & AC5 are suggested for commercial stuff (AC5 for lobbies and other high wear areas). Several websites claim AC5 has a rougher texture and will wear away your socks. I couldn’t feel it. I installed some AC5 in an apartment. DON’T BUY IF THEY DON’T DISCLOSE THEIR AC Rating!
One hassle: Some brands only have 4 photo patterns, so it becomes difficult to avoid putting the same board pattern next to itself.
The Quality of the laminated photo of wood is a big difference between brands/price levels. A high resolution photo makes a huge difference in how real it looks. I cannot tell some of the high quality stuff from wood.
Also,you need a foam pad (and possibly a moisture barrier) under the laminate. The foam is pretty important because it’s what gives the flooring a sense of solidity – and wood-floor feeling.
Worth paying an extra 25c/sq ft for quality padding.
I’d like to put in request for kitchen sinks 🙂
Seeing as I’m gearing up for a kitchen remodel! I’m really kind of stumped on the sink now that I’ve ruled out stainless (won’t match faucet finish.)
You need your own show on HGTV, Jim! Thank you for another informative show. $2.50 a sq ft is crazy…will be looking into that on my next house. Thank you!
Nothing like checking out a recently flipped or spec built house and listening to the “wood” tiles squeak as you walk over them. This, of course, is a feature, not a bug as you can always hear any assassins that penetrate your domicile in the night.
Was $2.50/sqft the installed price?
I’d guess that $2.50 is materials only. I’ve heard installation for laminate runs $2 per sqft and up (or install it yourself).
If you’re considering laminate, be aware that the majority of laminate flooring does not come with flush stair nose trim. You’ll have a “lip” on the edge of each step, making a potential tripping hazard. I’ve heard some high end lines have flush trim.
Thicker laminate can help alleviate some of the “clicky” sound, and as someone mentioned above, always go for the thicker pad.
I second the motion for Jim getting his own show. I watch HGTV sometimes at the gym (during commercials on ESPN only :))
Anyway, there is a new show with the son of the guy who does Holmes on Homes, I think it is called Holmes Inspection. That is one boring show. Jim would be FAR more entertaining and informative!
Just imagine the variety Jim could provide.
– Luxury homes
– Cash for keys on REOs
– Negotiation tactics
– Remodeling info
– Water infiltration & “mold-like substances”
– Life around NCC
– Exposing fraud
– etc.
David,
Evictions, too.
A good general wood flooring question for Abbey is:
How easy is it to replace a plank or two that has been scratched badly? The interlocking seems like you’d have to start from the wall and go across the floor, removing planks until you got to the damaged one?