laminate or carpet??

barrymung

snowmaid wrote: »

One should just damp dust.

Most certainly. Just study the chemicals contained in your average "laminate floor polish". Most are highly carcinogenic.

Also, re your comment about not allowing immune systems to develop, the over-prescription of anti-biotics also has a lot to answer for. People go to the Docs and demand anti-biotics for the slightest sniffle!

I completely agree that we keep our houses far too clean. S'not healthy.

barrymung

Computerwoman, out of interest how often do you dust your laminate floor? How often did you vacuum your carpet? Did the vacuum cleaner have a HEPA filter?

(Edit: Reason I ask is that I own a business cleaning carpets and have read lots of reports on the lamintate versus carpet debate)

patrick1

I've just bought a flat that's fitted with laminate throughout.

It wasn't very well done and the boards are pulling apart from each other. I don't like it as it's really slippery - can't put a carpet rug on it as it slips everywhere.

It needs to be cleaned/mopped just as much as any other surface. Looking for a replacement now.

Having said that, it's a really cheap and easy option - very common in London rented accommodation.

computerwoman

barrymung wrote: »

Computerwoman, out of interest how often do you dust your laminate floor? How often did you vacuum your carpet? Did the vacuum cleaner have a HEPA filter?

(Edit: Reason I ask is that I own a business cleaning carpets and have read lots of reports on the lamintate versus carpet debate)

I sweep everyday and hoover everyday...and yes it does have a HEPA filter...but for me it was worth the change...and also my son had asthma when he was a child and his breathing has been very good...so he doesn't have asthma now and hasn't for 7 year's thank's to laminate flooring...:D

Nutty_Tart

Hi Madmoney,

I put down laminate in both kids rooms (at their request), and they love it. Its also much easier for me to clean up in there also, but I wouldn't want it in the lounge as I think it would make the room look 'cold'. I got theirs from Wickes at just under £10/pack and the green 'tile' underlay for £20 for a big pack.

Patrick1
With reference to your rugs 'slipping' - have you tried double sided sticky tape on the back of them (this works very well!), or alternatively a 'bathroom' type mat (these have the rubbery backs) and I am sure no-one would know!

NT x

gabyjane

Hi well we are awaiting our new flooring to go down in our new house and im really excited!! we chose laminate for the lounge, and 2 bedrooms as i have asthma mildly and it's suppsoed to help, df smokes so it's going to be easier to clean, i'm a childminder and the carpet where we are now is constantly having something dropped or spilt on it so even though i realsie i will have to mop and sweep probably every day still it will be quicker and easier and look as good as new when done..well that's the idea anyway i'll let you know!!

Fulham_Mark

Yesterday I completed 550sqft of semi-solid wood flooring (vaneered top) that clicked together. People on this site helped a lot too with decision making etc.

It's totally stunning and has completely changed the look of my place. I'm a bit clumsy with food and drink and the carpet was really disgusting when i was throwing it out...the dust that came out when i moved it made me sneezy my lungs out. it was quite a vile experience (i had to cut it into small squares to get it down the lift)

saying that the wood doesn't like metal things dropped on it or things dragged along it either (even sitting on it with metal bits on shoes or belts)

i've already been spilling stuff on it though, including paint, and it come off so easily and quickly.

You will have to make a judgement call on how noisy your son will be as carpet dulls sound and helps reduce impact noise (dropping stuff, banging etc) whereas laminate could to the opposite.

i have 3mm "sound insulation" underlay, it's dirt cheap. I'd go for thicker if possible.

My parents have also done some laminate and regretted buying the cheapest for the second room they did as it was a real pain to install. So don't get the rock-bottom priced one!

oh and......laminate contains urea-formaldyhes I believe (rots lungs) so lots of ventilation when you cut it up and get rid of any saw-dust carefully

computerwoman

if you cut the laminate outside it doesn't matter as long as you sweep it up when your finished...I found that the cheap one was a tad tedious to put down and took to sliding it into each other then clicking it into place once I'd got the desired lenght...but the £20 one is so much easier to lay just slot and click down...but the result's are fantastic no more shabby walk ways where you tread everyday day in day out...I am going for the oak at £19.79 a pack I will need 10 packs so £197.90 plus £70 for the underlay and trims...much cheaper than £460 for a carpet that will start to look shabby after the first year...if I could put it on my stairs I would...stair carpet brand new 18 months ago looks shabby and dirty and horrid...and we use the back door and leave the shoes at the back door so I don't know why it started to look awful...but next year am going to re-new it...or just paint the stair's...lol...:rotfl:

thescouselander

Personaly I think laminate in the bedroom is a rubbish idea. Its really cold on your feet when you get up in the morning. Also, if you have just got out of the bath or shower and have not dried your feet properly it can be very slippy when you walk into the bedroom. We have laminate in the bedrooms when we moved into our house, the first thing we did was to change it for some nice plush carpet - miles better.

computerwoman

thescouselander wrote: »

Personaly I think laminate in the bedroom is a rubbish idea. Its really cold on your feet when you get up in the morning. Also, if you have just got out of the bath or shower and have not dried your feet properly it can be very slippy when you walk into the bedroom. We have laminate in the bedrooms when we moved into our house, the first thing we did was to change it for some nice plush carpet - miles better.

thanks that worth taking into consideration...must get some landing mat's then...haha...but to be honest I don't buy cheap carpet's but I'm getting sick of them not lasting 12 months without looking shabby...so laminate is the way to go for me...and walk with crutches...plenty of landing mat's on my order...lol:rotfl::DI got laminate 18 months ago in the lounge and I love it...admit I should have gone for a darker colour...but it still looks the same...nice and clean...:Dalthough the dogs hate it so they don't come in there anymore...:D