Do you have laminate floors?

**Grace** · 07-17-2009, 09:08 AM

No, we have hardwood floors - had them installed 2.5 years ago. We love them, and they are so much healthier for my husband who has asthma.

The color is clearwater, red oak, in 3", 4", and 5" width planks. Remember, if you get a dark shade/color, every little bit of lint, dust will show up.

**kimlovescats** · 07-17-2009, 09:35 AM

Jerry installed ours himself ... they are the snap-in type. Unfortunately our exact ones have been discontinued but we got them at Home Depot. Soooo easy to clean with a swiffer wet jet and vacuuming is a breeze too. We don't even worry anymore about puppy piddles or cat hairballs ... just wipe and clean! We've had ours close to 2 years probably by now! You'll love them!

This picture makes them look more gold-toned than ours really are. Ours are a bit closer to a pine but not the really washed out color.

**catnapper** · 07-17-2009, 09:50 AM

Thanks so much for the replies already. I hadn't thought of dust on dark -- though I should have! Gosh, I'm a designer and can tell people a hundred times a day what to do. In fact, last night, I had a woman plop $14,000 on her livingroom. We did a complete redo of her livingroom from sofa to chairs to tables and lamps. All done in 4 hours..... but in my own home?

You should have seen me picking out which sofa to order! I spent weeks picking out the sofa and leather, and I STILL am not sure if I am absolutely in love with the leather color we ordered... too late since its in the warehouse, waiting for me to schedule a delivery date, which will have to wait for me to decide on a floor color!

It helps a LOT that a family friend works for a flooring store and he's working out a nice price for us. I'm SURE I'm dirving him nuts changing my mind every other day. We went to his office yesterday and I was settled on the coffee.... and now, looking at your photos, I need to go back and choose something lighter. Ah, he'll love to see me again so soon

**kimlovescats** · 07-17-2009, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by catnapper

Thanks so much for the replies already. I hadn't thought of dust on dark -- though I should have! Gosh, I'm a designer and can tell people a hundred times a day what to do. In fact, last night, I had a woman plop $14,000 on her livingroom. We did a complete redo of her livingroom from sofa to chairs to tables and lamps. All done in 4 hours..... but in my own home?

You should have seen me picking out which sofa to order! I spent weeks picking out the sofa and leather, and I STILL am not sure if I am absolutely in love with the leather color we ordered... too late since its in the warehouse, waiting for me to schedule a delivery date, which will have to wait for me to decide on a floor color!

It helps a LOT that a family friend works for a flooring store and he's working out a nice price for us. I'm SURE I'm dirving him nuts changing my mind every other day. We went to his office yesterday and I was settled on the coffee.... and now, looking at your photos, I need to go back and choose something lighter. Ah, he'll love to see me again so soon

YES, that is why I went with a lighter floor because of dusty footprints and fur! It still shows when the light hits it but not nearly as bad as if we had chosen a dark floor! Can't have everything I suppose but the benefits outweigh this small issue .... it just makes me clean more!

**Edwina's Secretary** · 07-17-2009, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Grace

. Remember, if you get a dark shade/color, every little bit of lint, dust will show up.

Amen. They look great but require very frequent dusting/cleaning!

**Grace** · 07-17-2009, 12:24 PM

Can you bring a few sample pieces home with you? You'll get a better feel for how it would look next to your things.

**M&M's Mommy** · 07-17-2009, 01:02 PM

We do & absolutely love it!

**Glacier** · 07-17-2009, 01:45 PM

We're putting in concrete flooring in the fall. It's the only thing we've found that will stand up to the abuse we put our floors through! I can hardly wait!! Getting concrete countertops too, with my glass mixed in to the concrete!

**Grace** · 07-17-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Glacier

We're putting in concrete flooring in the fall. It's the only thing we've found that will stand up to the abuse we put our floors through! I can hardly wait!! Getting concrete countertops too, with my glass mixed in to the concrete!

Those countertops will be gorgeous - make sure you show us lots of pictures! One of our neighbors put the countertops in his kitchen and bath - really nice, and they last forever.

**Freedom** · 07-17-2009, 05:56 PM

Grace, I LOVE your kitchen!

We have hardwoods, not laminate. With pets, keep one thing in mind: do you have a place for them if you are going to be out a long time? With laminate, if you don't pick up those "pee puddles" quickly, it will separate.

With hardwoods, if you don't pick up those "pee puddles" quickly, it will stain the wood.