Carpet vs Laminate Flooring (Poll)

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  cameldownunder on 05/09/2016 - 17:55

  I've put down laminate in the guest room, which was a garage. It looks OK. I've selected the cheapest ( or second cheapest ) from Bunnings.
  Maybe the more expensive one looks better, but I would not place the same laminate in the living room.
  Currently we have carpet in Living room and hallway. And we have kids. And the carpet has marks.
  But when they rumble and tumble, the carpet absorbs the hits. And it is warmer. So he have left it in, and don't think about removing it any time soon.

  • 

    Sex on 06/09/2016 - 09:39

    By it looking 'ok', do you mean that it looks cheap or low quality?

    • 

      cameldownunder on 06/09/2016 - 10:06

      Both ( sorry ). You feel that it is only a few mm of "coating". You don't get that solid "Timber feeling"
      As I said, I took the cheapest one from bunnings. About $11 per m2. I dont know if more expensive one give you a nicer look and feel.

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  robertbruce on 05/09/2016 - 20:01

  laminate, lino or polish then matts…

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  Sex on 05/09/2016 - 21:00

  I'm surprised that carpet is more preferred at the moment. Makes me feel better about it if I do end up going that path!

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  Banana on 05/09/2016 - 21:26

  I have picked laminated floor. Parents are building atm so I sort of have an understanding of cost/maintenance for both. IMO laminated floor is more cost-effective and easier to maintain. I would also prefer the feel of laminated floor over nylon carpet.

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  Pumpkin_rrr on 06/09/2016 - 07:30

  Carpet for me for the feel and look, and most importantly, sound proof. If you have laminate, people are less likely to take their shoes off and I reallt dislike the sound of heels on laminate.
  Also note laminate is not good with water. O
  When our dishwasher leaked, the laminate swell .

  • 

    Sex on 06/09/2016 - 09:37

    +1

    Thanks for your input. I have a strict shoes off policy for my place :P

    • 

      Pumpkin_rrr on 06/09/2016 - 09:58

      +1

      Can you share your secret of how you enforce that policy? I have relatives with kids and they just ignore me.

      On another note, when we did our annual carpet clean, the guy told us that best to wear socks or slippers. Apparently human grease sticks to the carpet and quite hard to clean. I suppose this is more applicable to yourself who lives there everyday.

      • 

        Sex on 06/09/2016 - 10:05

        +1

        I have a heap of cheap, hotel-like slippers in the cupboard next to the front door. So just before friends/family arrive, I set these out neatly next to the door mat. I greet them at the door and offer the slippers to them while asking them to take their shoes off. It works :)

      • 

        Pumpkin_rrr on 06/09/2016 - 11:46

        @johndoe1

        Good on you. I'm a Chinese but still find it hard to achieve. Will try harder next time.

      • 

        Spending2Much on 06/09/2016 - 19:24

        +2

        My house, my rules. Shoes off, or don't come in.
        If they respect you, they'll happily oblige, if they don't, then they don't…..And no loss to me if they don't come in my home.

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  snowcherry on 06/09/2016 - 11:10

  i can't see you would have an issue putting in carpet. seems you'd prefer it and doesn't sound like you have a household that would ruin it (do you have pets?).

  i have carpet currently and i find it more difficult to keep clean with cats - wood flooring at previous property was much easier to manage.
  also i find it wearing badly in main walk areas; mind you the carpet i have [from previous owners] is a cheap one.
  anyway i'll be buying vinyl plank flooring when i can afford to, and then place a large area rug in living room for softness/cosy factor.

  as previously mentioned i have discounted laminate as it is 'clicky' underneath shoes and more prone to moisture damage.
  vinyl is softer [seems more sound proof than laminate?] and has come a long way aesthetically from the lino sheeting of years ago. unfortunately a quality vinyl plank is not cheap, but a decent laminate or carpet isn't either.

  with your nylon carpet - on the possibility you will stain it one day; look for a stain resistant carpet and one not prone to bleaching/fading where it has been spot cleaned.

  • 

    Sex on 06/09/2016 - 11:26

    Thanks for your suggestion. I'll look into vinyl! I have no pets, no children (but this may change in next 5 years).

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  peteru on 09/09/2016 - 02:56

  Noise can be an issue too. Carpet will absorb sound, whereas hard floors will cause echo / reverb.

  Hard floors will show dust a lot sooner than carpet will. On the other hand, dealing with spills or dropped food on hard floors is easier.

  Depending on the finish of the hard floor and how you care for it, it will deteriorate over time. It may even have a shorter life-time than carpet.

  I'd say go for carpet unless you have a very specific reason to choose hard floors.

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  Shiny Mew on 02/10/2016 - 22:09

  Break the rooms up a bit. Laminate would be easier to clean which makes it more popular in dining room settings.