We have 2 projects planned and I thought I would check here for recommendations. The first project is to have an attic access cut in the second floor of our condo. The second is to have the flooring downstairs replaced. We aren't certain on what flooring we want, but we know it will not be carpet. Please pass on any info that you have with contractors/companies for either of these things!
Hi Jeanie, I can give you a brief outline of pros and cons of other flooring aside from carpet to make your narrowing down process hopefully a little easier!
Laminate: excellent for high traffic, wear and tear type homes. If you get a lot of soccer cleats, tonka truck type attention to your floors with people tending to drop a lot of things, laminates are built to take this kind of abuse. They are relatively inexpensive, quick to install and now come in a range of textures and colors and made so well, many styles look so close to wood that an untrained eye can't tell the difference. However they are still considerably louder than your wood as it is a floating and not glued down type floor. Some people don't mind it, others can't stand it.
Wood: Even if you have high traffic, wood will work very well as long as it's not too dark and the wood itself is not soft like a cherry or pine. Think of it like a black car - gorgeous when it's clean but every imperfection shows when it's not. Its much quieter than laminate, with a more luxurious feel and look as well as being tremendous for resale when compared to laminate should you ever go down that road.
That's a basic summary, I've detailed it a bit more on my website but the last option I haven't covered is tile:
The most bullet proof option to go with. The only flooring type that can withstand fire or flood. It's extremley durable and now with newer products out, your grout lines can be closed to a few credit cards thick for a cleaner look. You can go with any look or style you like now - distressed or smooth or polished...they make them in every style possible.
The biggest objection I've heard with tile is "it's cold". Well that may not be a bad thing in the summer, but I usually advise folks who love tile but don't like the cold to wear some socks :-)
In the end, go with the product that YOU love because usually a perfect style and color can be found since once it's down, it's pretty much down. And you need to be happy with it. So go with what you love.
Finally, be sure to get a minimum of two-three estimates as the flooring industry has a significant variation between identical jobs.
Hope this helps.
Hi ,
when you getting ready for your floor i don't what kind your intrested in but my husband works in the hardwoodfloor
industry and he can install all types of floor hardwood ,laminate,enginnered and he is really resonable on his prices he also has refernces and 15exp on him.hope i was some help ..email me if you want a free estimate from him and i can give you his #.good luck
Mike McCoy
903-587-2880
I used him for a reno project and did so b/c an aquaintance kept house hopping and using him over and over again to renovate. I figured that was the best referral; to use the same guy repeatedly! He does all the carpentry himself and coordinates all the subs for everything else. You make all payments to him, and the last one not until the job is done and you are happy. I am very picky, and was very happy. He even had a cleaning service come in at the end; had guys come and lay paper on the pathways in the beginning to keep floors protected. He is a great, trustworthy, good-ole-boy Texan. Hope you call him. Good luck on your project.
We used Nadine's Flooring to replace our wood floor after a pipe burst in our kitchen. We also had them put tile flooring in our bathrooms and laundry room. They did a great job! They were very professional and did a much better job than the first company we used.
Jeannie, Try The Burke Company. design.build.remodel
Abby Keyes
214-887-0005
fax 214-887-1619
cell 972-897-7432
722 Paulus Ave
Dallas, TX 75214
Good Luck!!
Hands down the best flooring deal in town is Carpet Direct. They carry tile, hardwood, laminate, etc as well as carpet. It is the exact same as you find at Home Depot, Lowe's, Empire, but about 40-60% less. They install too. Call Alan Vogel at 214-418-0792. Good luck!
I recommed Richard Williams & Association (972) 907-2303. Richie's done for me both of the projects you need.