LESLIE: Not everybody calling the Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show has a problem. Some just want advice or some guidance with a project. Kim in New Jersey wants some floor advice.
Kim, how are you?
KIM: Hi, I’m good. How are you?
LESLIE: I’m well, thanks. You’re thinking about redoing the flooring.
KIM: Yes. Up in one of our bedrooms, we’re thinking about just putting in a wood floor and I know there’s a lot of options so I wanted to know what you thought would be best because I know there’s real wood floor; there’s Pergo, just-kind-of-put-it-together floor; and also they have vinyl flooring that looks like wood.
LESLIE: Well, that’s true. Generally, when you want to go with an engineered hardwood or a vinyl flooring that looks like a wood, you’re really going to use it in a space that’s sub-grade or in the basement or, say, in the bathroom or the kitchen; someplace that has high traffic or a lot of moisture. If you’ve got the opportunity to use real hardwood, like in the bedroom, that’s a great case as well but budget is primarily going to play a big key here.
KIM: OK.
LESLIE: How much are you looking to spend?
KIM: Something that’s durable because of course it’s going to be in my daughter’s room.
LESLIE: OK.
KIM: But not a lot of money. I don’t think I want to go with real wood, I don’t think.
TOM: Well, they’re all pretty durable. You know, laminate floor is a great option and the engineered hardwoods are also a great option and the finishes are very durable. There’s different levels of finishes. If you get one that’s more of a commercial finish, that’s going to be extremely tough. And there are more residential finishes that maybe aren’t quite as tough. In the bedroom though, I don’t imagine you need a commercial finish. That might be great for your foyer. And I think that you could probably buy a laminate floor for as little as $3.50 a square foot and that’s a very durable option.
LESLIE: The laminate wood floors, Kim, come in so many different varieties these days. You can get a huge difference in plank size, aging, finish, color, wood styles. The choices are yours, really, and you can make it look as antique-y or as brand new as you want.
KIM: OK, so then you wouldn’t go for the vinyl flooring that looks like wood in a bedroom.
TOM: Nah. I wouldn’t put vinyl floor in. The least I would do is laminate, if you don’t want to go for real wood.
KIM: OK. Thank you very much for your help.
TOM: You’re very welcome, Kim. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT, 888-666-3974.
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