Best washing machines that cost $800 or less Special report: How safe is your ground beef? Hidden helpers in your phone are at your fingertips Why you shouldn't buy drugs from sites outside of the U.S.My friends, I am up to my ears in plank flooring samples and could use some insight. We want to replace the stained Berber carpet in our studio above the garage and we’re finally ready to tackle replacing the flooring. Originally, I thought we’d go with hardwood or engineered wood but the more we thought about it, we decided to go with a laminate or vinyl plank flooring. It’s a small studio, not used for anything other than extra storage and styling right now, but it will be occupied by a tenant in the future so we need durable good looking flooring in the bedroom/living area that flows into the kitchen (seen here), and potentially the bathroom (seen here) and a product that won’t break the bank. I’m drawn to the weathered plank look in grayer tones, and the ones that look and feel more like wood are favored.

I’m really so surprised how far laminate and vinyl products have come in the past few years! So many of these really do look and feel like wood but bonus for those of us on a budget, they lack that higher price tag. Prices range from $1.50 for more basic products to $4.50 a square foot for more luxury products. We prefer to keep the price as low as possible, don’t we all :) Thankfully these samples are all the easy click/lock together styles so the replacement doesn’t require professional installation and is simple enough for us (or any DIYer) to tackle. We will have to remove existing baseboards but it’s all very doable with an underlayment and the right supplies. I like the feel of the laminate options, the samples I have are textured and feel more authentic given they’re a faux wood plank product. The boards are longer, the install is simple, but the price point is a little higher. Then there are vinyl plank products, waterproof instead of water resistant so great for kitchens and bathrooms, but some of the cheaper ones are thin, lack warmth, and feel more like plastic to the touch.

Will these vinyl options hold up better than the laminate? I’d love commentary from those of you who have installed and lived with either laminate or vinyl plank wood lookalike flooring. How durable are yours? Are you satisfied with the look after living with the floors for a period of time? If they are laminate, how are they handling water in wet areas such as the bathroom or kitchen? Did you order from a local merchant or from an online source? Is there a brand of laminate or vinyl plank flooring or company you recommend? .Basements can have unique challenges and requirements that relate to the type of Flooring you can choose. Unfinished Basement floors are usually made from concrete slabs, which can be porous, cold and often not very level. Many homeowners are using their Basements as extensions of living space for everything from a Rec Room or Office to a Guest Room or Workshop, and there are many types of Flooring that are ideal for Basement applications depending how you’re going to use the room.

Since your Basement is below grade, you will also want to consider the potential for moisture, humidity and condensation exposure. The key elements required for selecting a product for your Basement are personal style, budget and how the room will be used.Clean Wood Floor Before Sanding Your Sales Representative can help you choose the right Flooring. Adding Jets To Hot TubDuring your FREE In-Home Estimate, your Representative will explain choices to fit your home, budget and lifestyle.Antique Wedding Dress Museum Recommendations for Basement Flooring Carpet can turn any Basement into a comfortable and inviting space because it’s warmer than other Flooring options and can provide a level of soundproofing. Loop Carpet is a basic, cost-effective Carpet for basement areas.

Consider Berber or Frieze for a casual and fun look or a Plush & Texture Carpet for a more traditional style. If you want real wood Flooring in your Basement, Engineered Hardwood Flooring is a great option because it can be installed over a concrete slab. Laminate Flooring enables you to enjoy inviting wood visuals in areas not suitable for solid Hardwood installations, such as Basements. Laminate also includes a protective finish layer that can resist abrasions, stains and soil. Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles’ durability and ability to be installed over concrete sub-floors make them a great choice for Basements. They can also resist stains and soiling, plus they are durable, easy to clean and resistant to mold. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a cost-effective option that provides moisture, soil and stain resistance. Ideal for concrete floors, LVT can transform a drab Basement into a fun recreational area. Sheet Vinyl provides realistic tile, stone and wood visuals for your Basement.

Its comfort foam layer acts as a cushioning support and provides a more comfortable walking surface. Plus, Sheet Vinyl is moisture resistant and low maintenance. Vinyl can even be installed in Basements that are not level, as long as the floor is smooth. Select a Window Treatment style that is more budget friendly for this room as it may be used less frequently than other areas of your home. Real & Faux Woods Woven & Fabric ShadesChoosing the best home gym flooring can be quite difficult. The market offers so many options that may confuse everyone. We will show you some of the most popular flooring options which are available for you. The first question that you need to answer is what activity is going to take place on the floor? This will strongly influence the choice of flooring type. Another important factor is the location of the gym. For example, if your home gym is located in the basement and you want to have a carpet flooring, you have to consider a good insulation and sub-flooring.

Good ventilation is essential for home gyms, not only for the flooring, but for the whole environment. Wood gym flooring – beautiful and durable flooring Wood is a time-tested material and it has a very long lifespan. We associate wood gym flooring with basketball fields or large gymnasiums and sport halls. It is ideal for home gyms, of course, as long as the wood is of high quality and the floor is not exposed to moisture. Laminate gym flooring – pros and cons Laminate is a lot cheaper version of wood flooring and very easy to maintain. It can be used in a yoga studio for example, but you should not forget that laminate is quite slippery. Laminate can be damaged by moisture, so you have to pay special attention to ventilation. Laminate flooring is easily scratched and damaged by heavy traffic but, unlike wood, laminate cannot be sanded. Gym flooring options – cork, rubber flooring or carpet floor tiles? Cork is a natural material with high insulating properties.

Eco-friendly, renewable and biodegradable, perhaps, this is one of the best gym flooring options. It is non-slippery, soft to the touch and with great visual appearance. On the downside is the fact that cork may tear if you dragged gym equipment across the floor. Rubber flooring is not susceptible to any kind of contamination and is easily maintained and cleaned. It does not absorb water and more important – rubber flooring is not slippery which makes it a perfect flooring option for the home gym. Carpet floor tiles are manufactured to be durable and withstand years of use. The special material is stain resistant, which means that the flooring will retain its appearance with time. Carpet tiles can be easily replaced, if needed and they are a cost effective flooring option. Laminate is a cost effective flooring option Cork is eco friendly and sustainable flooring material Carpet tiles with have a great visual aesthetics Non slippery floor options – interlocking rubber tiles