ᐅ Laminate Flooring – Why Is It So Unpopular Among Sellers?
Created on: 27 Jan 2017 15:18
A
AndreasPlü
We are building a single-family house with underfloor heating for hot water. The entire ground floor living area will be tiled, but we are still undecided about the flooring for the children’s rooms and the bedroom.
We initially considered installing floating laminate flooring ourselves – expected to cost around €15 (about $16) plus impact sound insulation per square meter (approximately 10.8 sq ft). If the flooring wears out in 20 years, we don’t mind replacing it.
We visited three flooring suppliers, and all recommended vinyl or engineered hardwood flooring, both to be fully glued down. We are generally against hardwood flooring because it is not ideal with underfloor heating and, above all, expensive. When the children (currently toddlers) damage it, it’s frustrating. Sanding engineered hardwood is often not an option, and replacing it when glued down is a real hassle. We are suspicious of vinyl due to pollutant concerns, which were confirmed by Ökotest in 2012. Laminate, on the other hand, appears to be free of harmful substances according to the same test.
Why do all salespeople advise against laminate? Is it because they earn more with other types of flooring? Also, is floating installation of engineered hardwood compatible with underfloor heating, or should it be avoided?
We initially considered installing floating laminate flooring ourselves – expected to cost around €15 (about $16) plus impact sound insulation per square meter (approximately 10.8 sq ft). If the flooring wears out in 20 years, we don’t mind replacing it.
We visited three flooring suppliers, and all recommended vinyl or engineered hardwood flooring, both to be fully glued down. We are generally against hardwood flooring because it is not ideal with underfloor heating and, above all, expensive. When the children (currently toddlers) damage it, it’s frustrating. Sanding engineered hardwood is often not an option, and replacing it when glued down is a real hassle. We are suspicious of vinyl due to pollutant concerns, which were confirmed by Ökotest in 2012. Laminate, on the other hand, appears to be free of harmful substances according to the same test.
Why do all salespeople advise against laminate? Is it because they earn more with other types of flooring? Also, is floating installation of engineered hardwood compatible with underfloor heating, or should it be avoided?
Laminate remains just a photo printed on plastic... no matter how much you argue, that won't change.
We have high-quality hardwood flooring in the children's room for 3.5 years now. Yes, there are small scratches, but you really have to look for them.
And as @ypg already said, there’s not only oak, but also options like bamboo. Good luck trying to "damage" that.
I don’t understand why everyone wants to save money on that in the end. You don’t do that with tools either, even though those are not used daily...
We have high-quality hardwood flooring in the children's room for 3.5 years now. Yes, there are small scratches, but you really have to look for them.
And as @ypg already said, there’s not only oak, but also options like bamboo. Good luck trying to "damage" that.
I don’t understand why everyone wants to save money on that in the end. You don’t do that with tools either, even though those are not used daily...
Laminate flooring always feels cold because its surface is made of plastic. In contrast, hardwood and bamboo feel warm even when there is no underfloor heating. Children often sit on the floor, so you will likely want to put a rug on the laminate quickly to keep it comfortable for the child.
I also think that hardwood and bamboo have the big advantage that surface scratches are not a big deal. On a "wood" surface, scratches are simply part of the character—you hardly notice them as damage. A scratch on laminate, however, looks really bad and is immediately obvious.
I also think that hardwood and bamboo have the big advantage that surface scratches are not a big deal. On a "wood" surface, scratches are simply part of the character—you hardly notice them as damage. A scratch on laminate, however, looks really bad and is immediately obvious.
Even if you were to change parquet flooring frequently... It feels warmer (laminate is not comfortable, even with underfloor heating), looks more high-quality, and the tactile experience is better. Especially for children, it’s definitely great (carpet might be even better, but personally, I don’t like the look at all). If that matters to you, you should choose parquet; if it doesn’t, then laminate is fine and you can save money.
I don’t find parquet any warmer, nor do I prefer the feel of it. That’s probably a matter of personal taste. Cork would actually be warmer. Even though it’s not very clear in the photo, it looks like wood (the lighting isn’t ideal).
I don’t have a carpet on the laminate; my children find it warm enough.
Sent from on the go
I don’t have a carpet on the laminate; my children find it warm enough.
Sent from on the go
D
Deliverer30 Jan 2017 09:58Since everyone forms their own opinion on this topic, here is mine:
I have tried everything: laminate, tiles, plank flooring, floating click-engineered wood flooring, glued strip parquet, and vinyl.
Unfortunately, the parquet always got damaged. The not entirely sealed planter that leaked water into the floor over months, the spilled glass of water that evaporated too slowly on the runner leaving stains, and of course all the scratches from office chairs and furniture. Sanding and sealing or lacquering costs almost as much as a new floor. Therefore, parquet is out.
The plank flooring (now sanded for the third time) is great and surprisingly resistant to moisture (though I don’t want to know what the insulation underneath looks like...). But either it is affordable and the wood is too soft, or it’s extremely expensive. Light-colored wood also shows dirt very clearly. So never again.
I like tiles only in the bathroom.
Good laminate is durable and goes into the wardrobe, storage room, maybe the basement. Unfortunately, it is much colder and louder than vinyl, especially regarding the noise created between shoe and floor. Underlay for soundproofing doesn’t really change that unless it’s installed ON TOP of the floor.
That’s why I have been using only vinyl for several years now. And precisely because vinyl was in the headlines a few years ago due to plasticizers, a lot has changed and many floors are tested. So you can choose a clean option.
I have tried everything: laminate, tiles, plank flooring, floating click-engineered wood flooring, glued strip parquet, and vinyl.
Unfortunately, the parquet always got damaged. The not entirely sealed planter that leaked water into the floor over months, the spilled glass of water that evaporated too slowly on the runner leaving stains, and of course all the scratches from office chairs and furniture. Sanding and sealing or lacquering costs almost as much as a new floor. Therefore, parquet is out.
The plank flooring (now sanded for the third time) is great and surprisingly resistant to moisture (though I don’t want to know what the insulation underneath looks like...). But either it is affordable and the wood is too soft, or it’s extremely expensive. Light-colored wood also shows dirt very clearly. So never again.
I like tiles only in the bathroom.
Good laminate is durable and goes into the wardrobe, storage room, maybe the basement. Unfortunately, it is much colder and louder than vinyl, especially regarding the noise created between shoe and floor. Underlay for soundproofing doesn’t really change that unless it’s installed ON TOP of the floor.
That’s why I have been using only vinyl for several years now. And precisely because vinyl was in the headlines a few years ago due to plasticizers, a lot has changed and many floors are tested. So you can choose a clean option.
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