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Type of wood floors - advice needed

2 years ago

I plan to put wood floors into my new home and I’m having a hard time deciding on what type (engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl, laminate). I’ve lived my entire life in houses with solid wood and while I love the look, they wear. They scratch and get water damaged. I’ve been through the sand and stain process and it’s almost as expensive as putting in new floors and you have to leave the house for two weeks.

What do you all suggest for someone who doesn’t want solid wood, loves the look of wood, wants convenience, and is moving into a luxury home? The wood would need to run throughout the house including the kitchen and ideally laundry room. I love a uniform look.

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Comments (4)

kempek01
2 years ago
The sassy part of me says to suggest a glass of wine. Maybe a whole bottle. Because you have a difficult problem. Here's why:

Whatever is causing your solid wood floors to be scratched and water damaged will do the same thing to engineered wood floors.

Neither luxury vinyl nor laminate sound like they belong throughout a luxury home, but that is just my opinion. If you think they are appropriate (as in they are often found in the next level home up from what you are purchasing), then you should consider them.

In some parts of the world, tile would be very appropriate.
Lauren Davis
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you, I dont like cleaning grout so tile is out. I’ve looked at the vinyl products and I usually can tell the difference since I’m used to solid wood, but I'm not sure most people can. I’m selling a house with solid wood right now and not one person has asked what type of floors I have, so I’m not sure if wood really has the same ROI anymore. It’s so hard to decide.
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The ceiling could look appropriate stained transparent white or a deeper toned stain. Seems as though there is plenty of light in the room. The decision maybe be determined by what type of furnishings you plan to place in the room. What maybe you should reconsider is your selection of bamboo flooring. Looks as though you have spent a lot to do this addition. Also looks as though you are up north, based on your picture. Sorry but I don't think bamboo floors contribute to increasing the value of a home in a northern address. Oak or maple seem more appropriate.
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Hello! - Can withstand pets. All floors will show signs of wear with time. If you want to go with a wood floor, try one with a textured surface as this will make signs of wear less noticeable. - Does not expand/shrink (meaning, we do not want issues with gaps post installation) Wood is a natural product meaning that it will move with changes to the environment. In the winter (dryer months) it is not uncommon to see small gaps in a wood floor. Engineered floors are more stable and will minimize this. - Can withstand humidity (we have central AC but in SoFla, this is an issue) Again, Engineered wood floors are more stable and can withstand more than a solid wood floor. Does anyone have any advice? Any product that may be recommended? I would recommend a high quality engineered wood flooring. Here are some links that will help you. https://www.woodco.com/news/quality-check-engineered-wood-flooring/ https://www.woodco.com/news/6-questions-to-ask-when-buying-wood-flooring/ https://www.woodco.com/news/wood-floor-texture-do-you-know-the-differences/ https://www.woodco.com/news/custom-wood-flooring-manufacturer/ All the best with your remodel! Let us know if we can help further, info@woodco.com
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jane__ny
2 years ago
Solid oak floors sold our house in NY. We lived there 45 yrs and only refinished those floors 3x all those years. Those floors went through dogs (Irish Setter, Black Lab, 3 Rottweillers). Two kids and all their friends.

We only did the last refinish to sell the house. Our home was a large,contemporary and we got a cash offer one month after listing in 2009, the height of the market crash.

The Realtor told us they fell in love with the huge windows and those beautiful floors.

Hardwood does sell homes. The cost to refinish is minimal to the return on investment.

Jane
User
2 years ago
Solid wood site finished hardwood. I find it wears with character. Engineered is a PITA and does not wear well. I ripped up all the engineered and tile and replaced with LVP and love it, but I am on a slab and I wanted one floor downstairs and site finished hardwood wasn’t an option. I am under no delusions that LVP will be mistaken for hardwood unless the buyers are idiots.

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