View Full Version : Want new carpet. Any contractors here?
We'd like to stay with carpet, but alternatives are welcome. Any recommendations for a contractor that you've personally had a positive experience with is also appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Don't do bamboo. Don't do the fake wood strips that are basically vinyl that fit together. That's my only input at this time. I recently saw tile that looks like planks of wood that looked great and was surprisingly cheap though.
What kind of area?
Living room at the moment.
To expand on my post, bamboo doesn't seem to hold up well. I did our kitchen in the Traffic Master flooring and you can see every imperfection in the subfloor.
HoneyBadger
02-10-2015, 21:43
Don't do bamboo. Don't do the fake wood strips that are basically vinyl that fit together. That's my only input at this time. I recently saw tile that looks like planks of wood that looked great and was surprisingly cheap though.
What kind of area?
Just thought I would add: the porcelain tile that looks like wood is INCREDIBLY nice! Very affordable and easy to install. I just helped my in-laws redo their master bath with it and it looks fantastic.
Whatever carpet you go with, get a good pad. The pad will make/break the cpt longevity.
I like the pad with the moisture barrier on the top so small spills don't just get sucked up by the pad.
We did bamboo hard wood flooring over the summer/fall we picked up it up from Costco and it turned out great and has been very durable for us. Must be how its treated and treated before they sell it.
For the record, my patents bamboo floor still looks great, but all the others I've seen look worn. I think the good stands out from the bad more with bamboo.
I replaced the flooring in the kitchen with those vinyl stick-together planks. It was what we could afford.
Never, ever again. Next time, I'll just brave the slivers of subflooring in my feet until we can afford real wood and someone ELSE to install it. It took my back a week to recover.
As far as carpet goes, go with something higher grade than builder's grade, or whatever it is that insurance companies determine for replacement after a fire. That's what we have in our den and it's already starting to show wear and tear.
Whatever you do, take the time to pick a good underlayment.
I have tile from the '70s, really 1970, that is still in good condition. I want it gone but it is still in good condition.
Looking at bamboo composite.
I lay vinyl plank at work and its been holding up just fine for 5+ years in commercial units. Like most things its prep work and choosing the right product
To expand on my post, bamboo doesn't seem to hold up well. I did our kitchen in the Traffic Master flooring and you can see every imperfection in the subfloor.
I actually used Traffic Master Allure vinyl planks in my basement workshop as they were easy to install, waterproof and the most resistant to tools hitting the floor. I've dropped claw hammers and it just shows small smudges. Real wood or those thicker composite planks would've been toast.
Now I'm curious what I have exactly, because it is garbage. I have at least one gouge from dropping kitchen stuff.
Now I'm curious what I have exactly, because it is garbage. I have at least one gouge from dropping kitchen stuff.
I'll bring a piece with me to work and stop by if you're in the area.
No don't go through the trouble. I'm currently collecting different sales of flooring to see what I want in our place.
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