Would it look tacky to put laminate wood flooring in my kitchen and/or bath-I have 50 yr. old hardwoods in...?

Question

...the rest of the house. These hardwoods have the normal signs of wear, carpet tack marks from a previous carpet cover-up, etc. I really love the look of wood, but am afraid that putting laminate (in kitchen and bath) might look too perfect and fake next to my real, somewhat distressed hardwoods in rest of the house. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Wouldn't go laminate. Will look out of place in contrast to the real wood and the laminate will not hold up that well in a kitchen. I have the same situation. There was worn out linoleum and we replaced with vinyl as a temporary solution. Underneath there are original unfinished floor boards but want something different. Thinking of going back to real linoleum - still made and there are some great looks out there that will blend/yet give a distinction. Have looked at real tile and the newer tile look vinyl squares - always come back to linoleum. For the bath - I used tile. Beige sandy color which fits with the new wainscoting, etc. On the wood floors - I removed the old carpet tacks by inserting a flat screwdriver and pulling up with a pair of pliers, then hand sanded over those marks, used acetone to scrub the entire floor and then wood soap to remove the acetone. Dried thoroughly. You can just put down several coats of tung oil (buffing between each dried coat) or a thin tinted varnish. Has an authentic patina look.

Answer 2

I put in my house a 5/16 hardwood made by Bruce Hardwood. It is a pre-finished product. It goes down really quick. not as fast as Laminate. I have a Retriever and there are some scratches. The varnish isn't as durable as what i expected. I refinished another room that the floor is 46 years old and applied a high-gloss finish. The high gloss has more durability than a gloss. there are no dog scratches on the high gloss. The hardwood can be replaced and or repaired a lot easier than laminate. I have installed both types, and have repaired both types. I will refinish the 5/16 this fall after 5 years of 2 kids and the dog.

Answer 3

I'd get some instructions on repairing your old hardwood floors. They sound beautiful. I think you are right about mixing the laminate with the real, beautiful floors. Maybe some ceramic tiles would combine and work better in the kitchen and bath.

Answer 4

It would probably be OK, but in these areas the laminate can become quite hazardous with water or food spills making it extremely slippery. Same with tile. Be ready to cover your floor with rubber backed area rugs.

Vinyl would be a good choice as it comes in a variety of patterns and colors, is not too expensive and can be easily installed. Best of all it is probably what was originally installed and would appear perfectly normal.

Answer 5

They now have laminate "hardwood" floor that looks real. It has the same exact look and people wont be able to tell the difference until you till them or they get down on their hands and knees and examine. Good Luck with what you get.

Answer 6

laminates are photos that are put under a plastic layer.
the only good thing about laminates is that it is easy to remove and toss out. Next to real wood It always looks like plastic, fake.
If your house is strong go for ceramic tile or the new fiberglass floors that look like tile.

Answer 7

I would see no problem in this. I would get a small piece and lay next to the real wood and look it over for a day or so and then decide.

Answer 8

if your house is 50 years old, chances are that you may already have hardwoods under carpet or linoleum

Answer 9

If you put it in the kitchen, it would be still okay. But in the bathroom, nuh-uh i don't think so. You should put marmer in the bathroom, something light.

Answer 10

in my opinion, it will look like hell...timber do not wear on walking so get the wood sand and polsihed with polyurethane...it will come good as gold