Buy the 0.99/ft laminate?

[mrjaw14]

So I've got two bedrooms that I need to replace the carpet in. about 350 sq/ft total. lowes quoted me about $1500 for just two bedrooms! ouch! I know how to install laminate floating flooring, and the big box stores have some for about $0.99 sq/ft vs the 3.82-4.42 sq ft carpet I was looking at. signiificantly cheaper. Looking at probably $550 ish for laminate, and underlayment probably.

I saw some other laminate that was in the $2 sq/ft range, is it really that much better? is there any reason to not get the $0.99/sq ft stuff? I know the $2 will be better, but is it 100% better?

 

[jtsboss]

Its really just a bit thicker and can hold up to scratching and foot traffic a bit better, sometimes stickier if your talking about the peal n stick. Iv used both.

 

[dankicksass]

Engineered hardwood is a better ROI.

 

[PugetDude]

Engineered hardwood is a better ROI.

Agreed!

I can't stand the clicky-clicky sound of walking on a floating Formica floor..

 

[deter]

buy one box of each type and try to snap a few pieces together. This way, you get an idea of what you're in for

 

[b-body-bob]

So I've got two bedrooms that I need to replace the carpet in. about 350 sq/ft total. lowes quoted me about $1500 for just two bedrooms! ouch! I know how to install laminate floating flooring, and the big box stores have some for about $0.99 sq/ft vs the 3.82-4.42 sq ft carpet I was looking at. signiificantly cheaper. Looking at probably $550 ish for laminate, and underlayment probably.

I saw some other laminate that was in the $2 sq/ft range, is it really that much better? is there any reason to not get the $0.99/sq ft stuff? I know the $2 will be better, but is it 100% better?

I'm going through this too. I think given the prices for carpet you're quoting, you may have confused sq ft (laminate) vs sq yards (carpet).

I've got samples right here on my desk, and the big price carpet is $8.37 a square yard, which is nine square feet.

The low price stuff I've got shows a sq foot price of 31 cents, and 2.80 per square yard. 31 * 9 is $2.79. Buy by the square foot, save a penny per yard!

 

[Bouchard93]

I have tired the 99cents stuff its cheap stuff never would install it in my personal home just doesnt hold up it I installed it in my aunt living room 2 years ago and now its starting to chip and show wear. I beat she has it replaced in a few years.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I can't speak for other peoples product but I can tell you that we just went through the same thing. They make the color lots slightly different but I was told directly that it comes off the same equipment and the same materials as the major national brand.... We ordered two boxes and that was the case, but the color did not match...

 

[Mpbsr]

Agreed!

I can't stand the clicky-clicky sound of walking on a floating Formica floor..

If it's clicky then the floor wasn't put down properly.

I had Prego laminate flooring in my family room for 15 years and never a click clack sound.

 

[67carl]

I bought inexpensive (ok, cheap) laminate where I live for my parents, who live 200 miles away, because they couldn't find anything they like in their area. My dad came up with his truck, we picked it up and drove all way back to their house for the contractor to install. When the contractor started to install it we found that the cuts were not straight, the tongue didn't match the groove on about 50% of them and other issues. It was a bleepin' nightmare. Had to bring it all the way back and got something nicer.

Sometimes cheap isn't really cheaper. If you go that route open a few boxes and check them. As others have said that cheap stuff really sounds bad when you walk on it.

 

[JakeKohl]

If it's clicky then the floor wasn't put down properly.

I had Prego laminate flooring in my family room for 15 years and never a click clack sound.

There is a lot of variety in manufactured flooring. If you want to avoid that thin clicky (there's no way this is wood) sound and feel, get a floor that is 1/2" thick and has a rubber pad bonded to the bottom. I did in my office and it's really solid stuff. I think I got this floor on sale at $1.99/sq ft at Lumber Liquidators. It 'feels' like a wood floor but it's floating.

 

[PugetDude]

I had Prego laminate flooring in my family room for 15 years and never a click clack sound.

What flavor is that Prego laminate?

 

[24ModelTFord]

I put down the "cheapie" laminate 15 years ago in my family room. It still looks great. My kids grew up on it, and we are on our second 100 lb dog. I figured a couple of years tops, but this stuff seems indestructible.

Not sure if it still made the same today......so I guess I'm not much help am I?

 

[Mpbsr]

What flavor is that Prego laminate?

Ok, so the spelling police are around....Pergo.