Wood vs. Laminate
#1

I'm a new home buyer who is currently considering flooring options. The laminate offered by the builder's design center is called "Formica", which is a brand I have never heard of. I have heard conflicting reports on both hard wood and laminate. Our biggest concern is ease of maintainence. Thanks for the help.
#3
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Location: Oromocto, New Brunswick, Canada
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Formica has been around since the arc. They were originally known as counter top people, but have branched out into other areas. They are a quality company that make very good products.
Laminate flooring is much easier to install than hardwood and with a 20 year warranty, will keep it's original good looks longer.
As long as you use the correct type and amount of adhesive, this will give you a great floor for many years to come.
I recently laid this type of floor with a friend of mine. The only thing we would have done differently had we knows in advance would have been to install the floor at a 45 degree angle to the patio door. When the light comes in through the door, you can see all the seams. At a 45 deg. angle, these would have been less noticable.
Really easy to maintain, sweep and pick up spills with a damp cloth.
Ted
Laminate flooring is much easier to install than hardwood and with a 20 year warranty, will keep it's original good looks longer.
As long as you use the correct type and amount of adhesive, this will give you a great floor for many years to come.
I recently laid this type of floor with a friend of mine. The only thing we would have done differently had we knows in advance would have been to install the floor at a 45 degree angle to the patio door. When the light comes in through the door, you can see all the seams. At a 45 deg. angle, these would have been less noticable.
Really easy to maintain, sweep and pick up spills with a damp cloth.
Ted
#4

I don't want to throw things out of kilter here, but I'm beginning to hear complaints from people who have had their foor for about 6 or 7 years say the laminate is pulling loose from the base. The boards stick to the floor, it's the laminate itself that pulls loose. So make sure you get a floor with the 20 year warrenty and READ it very carefully. A lot of these warrenties do not cover replacement if you've used water.
Mary Moppins www.GoClean.com
Mary Moppins www.GoClean.com