Tile Or Laminate

jwaldman97

Could use some input here.

I'm building a house for my parents and am trying to keep the costs down for them.

I have a large country kitchen 33x16 to either tile or laminate.

I would do the laminate flooring, but would have to have a tile setter come in if I go the way of tile-ing.

And I guess, I'd question "cheapest" on the carpeted areas which I would have someone else install as well.

Would my time and laminate be a savings over tile and labor to install? Carpet and labor to install?

I've never done Laminate flooring, but have laid a nice wood floor before.

Ramiller4

I have installed numerous brands of laminates - wood look and even tile replicas - seems the newer the product gets, the easier it is to apply! If you have installed real hardwood then trust me, you'll feel like an expert in no time! Just mind the expansion spacing at the edges & under casing trim & a little visualization of the final pieces & you'll do great. I've found if you snap together the ends into full rows, then snap the row as one unit - viola! You'll be smiling all the way to the bank with your labor savings.

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hauoli63

Aren't you concerned about possible water damage for laminate in a kitchen? Just thinking about what I'd want in my own kitchen ...

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www.chantillyplumbing.com

jwaldman97

Uhm.....I gave it some thought. I also know that some manu have a water damage guarantee.

I'd be the one fixing it anyway.

Just like tile, ya have to get a good one that's quality. This is my point in getting a good top quality product, installing it myself and saving labor monies for them.

Top quality tile and labor to install is going to be big bucks for them.

Of course tile will go in the bathrooms and laundry area, which are more prone to possible water damage.

Wasn't sure how hard it was and if I'd really save anything.

lxdollarsxl

Most good companies warrent their laminate as long as the instructions are followed and anywhere there is a water damage leakage possible is sealed with whatever they recommend. Like previously said if you laid hardwood before you should have no problems as long as you leave the recommended expansion spacing.

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cmwacasey

if you can prevent a water leak from the kitchen from getting under the laminate flooring ie baseboards,cabinet bases,then go for it.i just completed an insurance job where water got under the laminate flooring.the problems can be numerous.

Project53

I guess I'm from the old school on this, but anyware you have water..you don't want wood. It's not a question of if it's going to leak, just a question of when. The sink drain or the dishwasher. If it gets under that floating floor...and that sink drain can be leaking for a lone time, in some cases before anybody really knows it is. But thats just my way of looking at things.

Super

I have installed at least 5 different options you could use in the last year. You should check-out either "Centiva" tile or "Dura-Ceramic". Those two are luxery vilyl tile. They are both great looking products, and easily installed. Centiva is butted together. Dura-Ceramic can be put in with a grout line.

MattCoops

if you haven't done laminate and are gonna "try" to do it

why not "try" to do tile

when you look at home depot for tile and costs of materials and what it costs to rent a wet saw
find out when they are having the next How-To class for doing tile

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Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

pitterpat

if you want vinyl try Permastone by Nafco. Vinyl tiles, real easy to put down.

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TonyD

WATER AND LAMINATE DO NOT MIX.!!
I learned my lesson. I will never again put laminate down in the same room as any plumbing fixtures, entrance doors, or dining areas without a MAXIMUM of 6 months warranty. If it gets wet it swells at the joints and looks awfull and is IMPOSSIBLE to repair only replace.And don't forget chips, no it isn't indestructable, regardles what the salesman says.

as far as repairs;
Hardwood-sand and refinish/spot finish,board replacement...
Tile-single tile remove/replace,regrout,seal...
Laminate-START OVER

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go dart

we set laminate floors in kitchen/bath often. never a problem. use glue!
tony whats a spot finish after repair on wood flooring really like? thats brutal. w/ laminate you just replace the damaged tiles or planks, color is never an issue. anyone setting laminates should spend the $ to certify. 97 you'll be on your own on that floor no matter what. if your not experienced in tile then laminates a better choice.

TonyD

Thats my point. Your only option is to replace. even if it is in the middle of a 20' x 20' room. half the floor needs to come up to get at it. unsnap-resnap.

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Abraham Lincoln

PrecisionFloors

Umm no...I can replace a plank in the dead center of your 20 X 20 without anything save for the necessary furniture....but then again I actually DO this for a living and it is in my best interest to know how to do it. Sometimes it is easier to disassemble the floor up to the damaged area and replace and re-lay it. I gurantee I can replace a laminate plank faster than a damaged area in a hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished or replaced....and the laminate is guranteed to match. There are some benefits to laminate floors....they will never replace hardwood in the marketplace, they aren't meant to. If they were it would be pretty stupid for a company like Shaw for example, to market both, and compete with themselves.

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TheChronicOne

I agree. Ceramic is actually quite easy to pick up so long as you keep a few things in mind at all times. Such as At the very ends of your tile at the z-bar (or whatever metal you fancy) and everywhere else for that fact you want a solid and uniform base of thin-set or you can be proned to cracks and breaks etc. Making the cuts is easy, might wanna pick you up one of them big plastic squares!

MattCoops

ya, the bright orange plastic squares will just warp and break

get a damn metal one and pay the extra couple dollars

ya cheap bastards

__________________
Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more