Tips or suggestions on Wood Floors ???

[mikeland]

OK, so I got the crazy idea to put in wood floors in my condo. Well, I wouldn't do it myself, I'd get someone to install them, of course ... you get the picture. I've heard that wood floors would help with my allergies too.

My question to all of you is if you recommend wood floors? What about these laminates I've read about? Are they good with cats (we have a kitty).

I know it's not going to be easy moving all the furniture from room to room to have the flooring installed. Maybe it's a good time to out some stuff on e-bay!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Stitchy]

my parent's house had original hardwood floors throughout the whole house. Except for the kitchen and bathrooms. This past year, my mother decided she wanted hardwood in her kitchen too. They went to Home Depot, and bought parquet flooring. My father and uncle put it in themselves, and it only took a few hours. Of course, they are VERY experienced at this time of thing. But, the flooring just snaps together, and I think Home Depot does offer installation.

It looks wonderful, cleans really easily, and the cats love it. Here's some more info I found...

Parquet Floor Maintenance: Upkeep and Repair of Your Hardwood Flooring

[PrincessY]

We had the laminate flooring put into our last house. We chose it because we have a dog, and the laminate is much more durable with dog toenails! It looked very nice. Yes, I could tell is wasn't real wood, but it was still a pretty floor.

[dsnylndmom]

We have wood flooring in our house throughout the great room and hallways. It's a non-issue with the cats. But make sure that if you go with wood over laminate to put the little felt things on the bottom of your furniture so it doesn't scratch the floor up!

[IzzyInWonderland]

We have Pergo in nearly all the rooms in our house. We've had it for years and it still looks great, the only problem was that recently our dishwasher sprung a huge leak and all the standing water warped the floor very badly to the point that we have to rip it up and re-install. But that's just a worst case scenario. It's very easy to clean and I recommend it. Actually what I recommend more are the wood laminate snap in pieces, we did those in the bedrooms. No glue required.

[Mouse princess]

I have laminates on my floor. We decided to do laminates instead of real wood, becuase of price and because I have a dog. Laminates are more durable.
I have DuPont Real Touch Elite in Cherry. It differs from some other laminates as it feels more like real wood and not the smooth glossy textures. My sister has the Pergo- and it is smooth. When I was doing my house, my BIL suggested the Real Touch. 2 1/2 years later I am still happy with it.
DuPont? Real Touch® Premium Laminate Flooring

[Missviolet]

We had Bamboo flooring put in our condo after the "design specialist" recommended it (we told her we had two dogs and didn't want scratches). Boy, did she not know what she was talking about. It was SO expensive and SO beautiful, but you could scratch it with yuor fingernail. It looks horrendous now and it's only been two years since it was installed. DON'T go with bamboo. Go with the laminate, you'll thank me later!

[PrincessY]

Wow... I've heard that bamboo was very durable. Live and learn!

[SusieP.]

We love our laminate floors! Easy upkeep, very durable, and looks great.