Cost per sq ft installation only (not material) Bamboo/laminate flooring
#1
11-20-11, 09:51 AM
Cost per sq ft installation only (not material) Bamboo/laminate flooring
Subfloor is great shape - I will be getting new bamboo or laminate flooring. I will have this one professionally installed to ensure warranty coverage.....had the first one installed - but can't recall the cost 
What shoudl I expect to pay for installation? (Mfg is hopefully supplying materials). I live just outside of Wilkes-Barre, PA
What shoudl I expect to pay for installation? (Mfg is hopefully supplying materials). I live just outside of Wilkes-Barre, PA
#2
11-20-11, 12:38 PM
Unless someone lives in your area and monitors the forum, it will be difficult for us to estimate local costs. You can visit your local big box store to see what their installation costs are. It will give you a starting point. Just remember, their pricing for installation is a carrot on a stick. They don't figure removing or replacing base molding, shoe molding, undercutting jambs, etc., so there will be a little more involved with the estimate.
#3
11-20-11, 04:40 PM
The existing floor is floating bamboo - I am hoping to replace it with a comparable material. There is no molding (we were paying as we go and the bamboo floor - 6 months old started to peel) This would be a straight installation of material on good subfloor with no additional work (we will do molding)..... I will check the big box stores in my area - but really wish i didnt have to start the search for a good floor material again......Any suggestions on laminate? pergo? anything??
#4
11-20-11, 06:25 PM
Laminates are the last floor I would install. That is a personal opinion, but I don't like the way it is made, the thin-ness of the material, the sound it makes when you walk on it. There's just better.
A thicker engineered flooring that click locks together is a better product, IMO, but nothing beats a 3/4" nail/staple down flooring. The last bamboo I installed was 5/8" nail/staple down and it makes for a solid floor. I have it in my rental cabin, and we installed 600sf in a client's house as well. Just had to change the foot on my flooring nailer and it went pretty fast.
A thicker engineered flooring that click locks together is a better product, IMO, but nothing beats a 3/4" nail/staple down flooring. The last bamboo I installed was 5/8" nail/staple down and it makes for a solid floor. I have it in my rental cabin, and we installed 600sf in a client's house as well. Just had to change the foot on my flooring nailer and it went pretty fast.
#5
11-20-11, 09:50 PM
Maybe I am using the wrong term. I put down HD HL bamboo about 8 months ago. Loved everything about it from ease of installation to appearance. Unfortunately there is a problem with material - top layer peeling. Have to replace it. When deciding on a floor, I took a nail to the samples (I have 2 dogs and was afraid it would scratch). THe bamboo didnt scratch at all - the real wood flooring scratched easily. I paid around 6 bucks a sq ft for this stuff (had a 20% coupon) I wouldnt have a problem with nail/staple down - just cant find a good material....
#6
11-21-11, 02:43 AM
You said "real wood" scratched. Was it bamboo? You aren't saying which HD HL you installed, either. Was it actually "laminate" or "engineered" flooring? Bamboo is tough, no doubt about it.
#7
11-21-11, 10:54 AM
Home Depot Home Legend Engineered hard as a rock and around 1/2" think or better.
Samples of real wood flooring from 2 big box stores and one flooring store - finish on hardwood scratched terribly, so did namy laminates and yes even engineered. Some of the stuff that scratched was almost 1.5 - 2x the cost of the bamboo (bamboo was approx 6.00 a sq ft).
I cannot believe it is so difficult to find a quality flooring at a reasonable price.
Samples of real wood flooring from 2 big box stores and one flooring store - finish on hardwood scratched terribly, so did namy laminates and yes even engineered. Some of the stuff that scratched was almost 1.5 - 2x the cost of the bamboo (bamboo was approx 6.00 a sq ft).
I cannot believe it is so difficult to find a quality flooring at a reasonable price.
#9
11-22-11, 04:51 AM
Ha well 2.48 or 6 bucks - the stuff still failed! Do you have any suggestions for replacement material? Hard enough not to be scratched and kid proof!
#10
11-22-11, 06:56 AM
Super Moderator
Have you considered ceramic flooring? That's scratch and kid proof.
If you have an Ikea near you, they have click lock flooring that's pretty nice and durable. It's also inexpensive. I just put some in recently and I like it so far.
I have a dog that always has nails too long, lol, and no scratches yet.
If you have an Ikea near you, they have click lock flooring that's pretty nice and durable. It's also inexpensive. I just put some in recently and I like it so far.
I have a dog that always has nails too long, lol, and no scratches yet.
#11
11-22-11, 07:04 AM
My mom (90) moved in with me when my dad died. She asked that I not get ceramic.... How long has your ikea flooring been down? there is an Ikea about an hour away - if i could get Good flooring I would gladly make the trip. Any other info about the Ikea product would be appreciated. Meanwhile I will go to their site!
#12
11-22-11, 07:06 AM
Group Moderator
IMO, kid and dog proof is not likely to be found in wood. That said, a prefinished product with an aluminum oxide finish is going to give you the greatest durability.
Ceramic is my choice for kids and dogs as well but it's not indestructible either, just closer to it than wood.
Ceramic is my choice for kids and dogs as well but it's not indestructible either, just closer to it than wood.
#13
11-22-11, 07:10 AM
Super Moderator
It's been down for about 3 or 4 months. It gets a lot of activity, including dogs lol, and I've only had to sweep it and damp mop it. No scratches or anything.
Their floors were originally made by Pergo for Ikea, then Ikea bought exclusive rights to them (or something like that). Point is, they're a Pergo floor, not junk.
Their floors were originally made by Pergo for Ikea, then Ikea bought exclusive rights to them (or something like that). Point is, they're a Pergo floor, not junk.
#14
11-22-11, 07:14 AM
I'm in NE Pennsylvania - ceramic is cold - doubt i could afford a "heated" floor. My house is old and there is a little movement in the floor (deflection) . So between my moms request, the cold and the deflection - ceramic is out.....I did check into it and yes it would stand up to kids and dogs better, however listening to a 90 year old mom express her dislike would NOT be worth it LOL.
#15
11-22-11, 07:17 AM
Ok my brother in CA used pergo and was very happty with in - my brother in NJ thought bamboo was better and honestly it didn't scratch at all - really a shame the material started "failing" on short ends....
BTW the dog I refer to when talking about scratching is my 3rd rescued boxer. I also have a shih tzu that came from less then ideal home and am awaiting news about a shelter cat!
BTW the dog I refer to when talking about scratching is my 3rd rescued boxer. I also have a shih tzu that came from less then ideal home and am awaiting news about a shelter cat!
#16
11-27-11, 06:55 AM
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Cost of installation, is going to be determined by every individuals value of their services and what they need to meet their overhead and make a profit to keep the doors open.
There is no "Going Rate", unless you are a union employee. Not an independent contractor.
Scratching is not the material, but the finish that is applied to the top.
Denting is the materials hardness.
Waterbased finish, especially aluminum oxide, is going to show scratches, more than an oil, or wax based finish.
There is no "Going Rate", unless you are a union employee. Not an independent contractor.
Scratching is not the material, but the finish that is applied to the top.
Denting is the materials hardness.
Waterbased finish, especially aluminum oxide, is going to show scratches, more than an oil, or wax based finish.
