As far as quality is concerned, how much better is a Hardwood Living Room versus one with Laminate?
Question:In regards to resale value, is laminate a bad idea? Will it help to increase the value of the house as opposed to aging carpet?
Answers:
Hardwood you will get your investment back.
Laminate you will not get your investment back.
A friend put in laminate a few years ago and then he used a buffer on floor recently because it was looking shabby and now its peeling!
Look at carbonized bamboo.
Go with hard wood, Hardwood is back in vogue
hard is far superior, but laminate is better instead of aging capret, plus alot cheaper than a hardwood floor
Anything will "increase" the value of a home, as opposed to "aging carpet"...
Now, as to laminates.. DONT WALK ON IT WITH HIGH HEALS!!
I have been on many "Bulletin Boards" where Professionals have installed the laminates and come to find out, some woman walked on it with "high heals" and left "dimples" from the heal !! They were mad, because they had to replace the silly flooring...
Hardwood is always best, but, then its a "major re-install".. As you have to tear everything out but the subfloor, and redo the entire flooring with the hardwood, plus you have to either stain it or just plut coats and coats of varnish on it, sanding in between layers...(recommended no less than 6 coats for that "deep shine" factor and hardness).
laminate is a cheap way to go if your selling your house in a hurry, or if you intend to keep it, then go with hardwood.
But remember this, most people want thier living rooms carpeted, and a new carpet would be cheaper in the long run as they last a long time.
I wish you well...
Jesse
I love hardwood. But the poster above is correct laminate is better than carpet. I really don't care for it, but if the house is nice I wouldn't let it stop me.
Laminates can warp. I just turned down a nice house with new laminate (that was improperly installed and bubbling up)..and bought a house with 1960's shag carpet...with oak floors underneath. Resale value, in todays buyers market...laminate will not compare to hardwood. Laminate cannot be refinished, it must be replaced. hardwood will last for decades and decades.and you will get your money back in equity or when you sell.
Hardwood is far superior in look, wear and resale value than laminate or carpet ( unless the carpet is high grade and fairly neutral in appeal ) Laminate flooring has a thin wear layer making it easy to damage, and is next to impossible to touch up or refinish. It is often poorly installed, being a popular "do- it- yourself" product. It is unsuitable for entries, kitchens and baths due to moisture problems. It is also often viewed as a "quick fix" for resale, which ends up becoming nothing more than a headache to replace. To be fair though, there are higher quality laminates available for a higher price, and if properly installed in appropriate areas, can look and wear well. Beware of darker stain shades because again, with a thinner wear layer, they will scratch and the dark stains will show this more.
With new hardwood or expensive carpet, you may or may not see significant increase in resale value. So much of that depends on the age, size, location and other upgrades in the home. If your windows are rotting or your roof leaks, no one will flip over a home for a floor. Your best bet would be to get a realtor or a home appraiser to advise you what they felt would be your best expenditures to increase the value of your particular home based on these factors.
More Related Questions & Answers...