So we are currently in the "planning" stages of eventually replacing our 30+yr old carpeting in our living room. I would really like to have some type wood or wood look flooring. (Hubby isn't completely on board with this idea).
My main concern is the condition of the flooring under the carpet. Does installing wood or wood look flooring have to be completely level (i.e.no high/low spots) or just even? And how would you go about correcting any imperfections prior to installing that type of flooring? (if some were found)
We don't have any pets and our children (both adults now) are on their own, so it's just me and hubby. If we went with wood looking type flooring, would the LVP be a good option to use?
Would this also be something we could install ourselves and still have it come out looking (somewhat) professional?
Appreciate all the help that people give on this website! Volumes of information to be found and I come here daily just to read everyone's questions!
Thanks!
mxmom

 

I've never installed laminate flooring but it has an underlayment which may take up minor irregularities. With no water damage the odds are your subfloor is fairly level. Many folks diy laminate floors, most just click together.

 

So I would advise looking hard at the flooring type, personally I hate laminate, it's just a cheap looking, feeling, sounding floor, LVP is different but nothing beats a real wood floor!

Regarding levelness, every manufacture has requirements and once you have selected a flooring you can work toward resolving.

 

It depends what your subfloor is and what kind of shape it's in. And yes, the type of flooring you ultimately choose will determine the tolerance of how flat it should be, but a good rule of thumb is no more than 1/4" in 10' or 3/16" in 6 ft. You will get the best results with any floor when you can get the subfloor perfectly FLAT.

If you happen to have particle board it should all come out. (particle board and osb are not the same... osb is okay). Floor patch can be used to fill in low areas.

 

Just don't expect to get a bunch of years from laminate. Laminate was invented as a cheap alternative to real wood and some of it is really cheaply made.
i won't install it, just a personal preference. I take up a lot of it that has been down a couple years and replace it with other flooring.
If you have any foot or back problems, hard flooring tends to make it worse.

 

You haven't mentioned budget but if you can afford it, 3/4" hardwood strip flooring will last a lifetime and will add to the value of your home. The best way to find out if your subfloor is OK, get a floor installer to come in and look at it. If your sub floor is too uneven for installing hardwood it's fairly cheap (relative to the rest of the job) to replace it.

 

Thanks to everyone for your help. Even though I really thought I'd prefer the hardwood flooring, I hadn't given a thought about the consequences it might have "If you have any foot or back problems, hard flooring tends to make it worse". Both my husband and I do alot of walking on cement floors while at work and while it doesn't affect him as much, it sure does me! Think I'm going to opt for "thick" carpeting now!lol Certainly appreciated all the input!
~mxmom