Flooring Question - Hardwoord, Bamboo, Laminate, Carpet???

[andsoitgoes]

Thanks guys - this is what I was looking for. Hearing about the Ikea laminate and the dogs certainly gives that a thumbs up.

However we were looking at something that would really increase the value, and having been IN houses with hardwood, they really pop and I would in a second pay more.

Greg - with Hardwood, what sort of cost per sq foot did it run you? Did you install it yourself, or did you have it professional done?

I'd REALLY like to do hardwood, specifically the Gunstock Oak style:

http://www.kingoffloors.com/ca/Hardw...tock.php?p=182

But heavens it's PRICEY. We need to keep around 2 - 3/sq ft (we've got about 2400 sq ft to do) and we are probably going to do the ENTIRE house and just go from there.

[Ruth]

I went with Mirage hardwood in my house - I did everwhere except the bathroom, kitchen and hallways - so I did the bedrooms and living room. I love it! I live in a log home so I decided to go with a lighter wood and went with the White Ash.
Here is a linkhttp://www.miragefloors.com/

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by Ruth

I went with Mirage hardwood in my house - I did everwhere except the bathroom, kitchen and hallways - so I did the bedrooms and living room. I love it! I live in a log home so I decided to go with a lighter wood and went with the White Ash.
Here is a linkhttp://www.miragefloors.com/

ruth - how much did that end up costing you? Per sq foot, if you don't mind me asking of course!

Also - what sort of maintenance do you need to do on the wood?

It looks great, and I'm really excited about it now!!

[Ruth]

I can't remember the exact cost per sq. ft. but I think it was somewhere around $9-$10 installed but that included everything from ripping out the carpet to putting down a sub floor and install. I also live out of town so had to pay travel time.
I am sure it would be cheaper down there with a lot more dealers and installers etc.
I don't do anything special. I just sweep and use a hardwood spray cleaner a couple of times a week.
I really like the Mirage line of flooring and I shopped around quite a bit before I decided. It was more $ but the quality was definately there.

[woodcarver]

Hey Nick, It may not be your bag but have you given any thought to tiling in the main traffic areas ? You could even do under floor heating.
It is not too difficult to lay tiles correctly and price per sq ft is very competitive. Completely resistant to scratches and water!!

Just a thought.......

.......................................Dave

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by woodcarver

Hey Nick, It may not be your bag but have you given any thought to tiling in the main traffic areas ? You could even do under floor heating.
It is not too difficult to lay tiles correctly and price per sq ft is very competitive. Completely resistant to scratches and water!!

Just a thought.......

.......................................Dave

That is what I did - hardwood in living room and bed rooms and tile everywhere else including hallways.

[andsoitgoes]

I'm thinking of tile in the entry way and bathrooms - do you think Tile would be appropriate for the hallways to the bedrooms then?

As for heating under, isn't that getting into a whole other ball of worms?

My oh my, oy!!

***actually, I think our concern with tile was due to it being SO hard, and our poor lil girls being so clumsy. Having hardwood/laminate is bad enough, but tile just seems SO painful!

[hawk]

Originally Posted by Ruth

I went with Mirage hardwood in my house - I did everwhere except the bathroom, kitchen and hallways - so I did the bedrooms and living room. I love it! I live in a log home so I decided to go with a lighter wood and went with the White Ash.
Here is a linkhttp://www.miragefloors.com/

I used Mirage too and really like it. I installed it myself about 7 years ago, around $4 sq/ft at that time. To have it installed was easily double that. I had my 77g on it for 4 years with no damage to the floor with the inevitable small floods. Easy to care for, maybe I'm biased but I have yet to see any laminate that looks as good.