Laminate / wood or carpet

LJD1_2

Yip we're definitely going for laminate too now. DH wants to do the hall but i've talked him into the dining room and we'll go from there. That's definitely the smelliest carpet too. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for all the comments xx

gemmaj

Not wanting to try and un-make your mind, but I am in a similar situation (pregnant, 2 dogs, 1 of which "decides" to be incontinent, and a revolting lounge carpet!!) and I am going with laminate, but it was a close call with Amtico Spacia and Marmoleum. Marmoleum is lino (but fancy and in lots of colors - although unfortunately not wood color) and Spacia is vinyl, but a more eco-friendly (non-PVC) vinyl - that does come in wood effect. Both would be warmer and quieter than Laminate (which is cold and noisy!). The dogs will still slip on them, but they shouldn't have ruined the carpet if they wanted luxury! I am having one or the other in the kitchen - just have to decide!

Thought I'd mention it, best to find out now than when its too late!!

LJD1_2

Thanks gemmaj
Think I need to go to a flooring shop, see what's available and then do a load of research and ask lots more questions on here. Thanks again because i'd not even heard of those two! xx

mrs_mix

I've had laminate flooring in the lounge and hall for about 10 years now and is only now showing signs of wear and tear (i have 3 children and 1 dog) it's not cold the dog walks on it ok without driving us mad with the tap of his claws he only slides about when he's having a divvy moment
it's easy to keep clean just a quick hoover or sweep and then mop
hth
pam xx

LJD1_2

Well, my DH has pulled up the carpet in the dining room (think he did it before I changed my mind!). In true money saving oldstyle he's cut the carpets up for use at the allotment.

Next dilema. The floorboards are actually really really nice but, and it's a big but, they stink. When we pulled up the carpet we realised the full extent of just how much our old cat used to use that room as its cats tray. You could see where the carpet and underlay had been saturated in lots of places and it's reached the floor boards. So....i've sprayed them with an anti bacterial spray from the vets, what else can I do? I'm burning lemongrass to mask the smell at the moment as it's really bad with moving the carpets. HELP!

kazmeister

Hi

re the post "I have had both cheap and expensive laminate flooring and to tell the truth as long as it is laid well there really isn't much difference."

When we bought our house the previous owner had just laid (obviously to sell) laminate right through the downstairs. It was obviously cheap as within 6 months there were several chips in various rooms, but it diesnt seem to have got any worse since. I would definitely go for a slightly more expensive one and put felt on the bottom of furniture as it will mark. And also within 10 minutes of sweeping hoovering or washing you can see the dust starting to collect.

gravitytolls

I hate laminate. It shows up every mark, and dogs tend to tap dance on it.

Real wood is expensive, unless you can buy it from a local timber yard and lay it yourself. It's easy to keep clean, lasts forever, and doesn't sound dreadful either. We oiled ours rather than varnished.

*zippy*

Hi LJD

Found this thread about removing cat wee....for floorboards check posts 60 and 77

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=2651714&highlight=floorboards#post2651714


When we moved in there was cream carpet downstairs and with two dogs I longed for laminate, but one of our dogs slipped in another room with it and damaged leg ligaments, personally we won't be putting any more in now.

SnowyOwl_2

When kitting out my downstairs I asked the flooring guy (shop owner) which would be best considering I had cats. He immediately said laminate - I trusted his opinion as he also sold real wood flooring, which is rather more expensive. The laminate is fine, though as mentioned elsewhere dust gathers under the furniture. There are also a number of hairballs rolling around at any given point due to my cats shedding.

If you were to go for carpet it'd be a good idea (I think!) to also get a swanky pets vacuum cleaner at the same time.