Laminate flooring or carpet ?

[ray bush]

Just about to re-decorate my through lounge and am considering laying a good quality laminate flooring to replace my existing carpet .I've already installed this type of flooring in my hall one bedroom and kitchen all have worn very well .The lounge gets quite a bit of traffic and certain areas wear quicker than others ,even a good quality carpet in the past has worn fairly quickly ,whats the opinion carpet or laminate .Didnt want real wood,as most of that seems to not take heal marks etc .

[dummkopf]

I would go for laminate flooring ray. You can always put down rugs in the areas that wear, with some of that anti-slip mat stuff you can get from IKEA.

[whiffey]

Laminate flooring is excellent, I did my conservatory, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms last year. Looks smart, easy to lay after a short amount of practice. I used a thick underlay upstairs to minimise noise.

Having said that, I have retained a warm brown carpet in the lounge, it is a lot cosier !

[shaneystar2]

We had laminate flooring in our last abode ..it looks lovely and is hard wearing but I found it hard work !
We had a door which led straight into the garden and with a dog in the family I was constantly mopping up muddy paw prints etc.If its a light colour you see every mark on it .It does need constant cleaning to keep it looking nice.Even putting rugs down was a pain because these still had to be taken up from time to time and shaken and vacuumed and then the floor vacuumed and mopped.
Dust always seemed to collect around the edges of it somehow.
So that's two for... one against !

[Yodel]

I've always had carpet before but now we've laid wood flooring throughout and I couldn't be more pleased. Yes, you do see the dust and dirt more, but it's so easy to clean, and just imagine all that dust sinking into your carpet!

[888sally888]

As an estate agent I would say DONT put laminate flooring in your lounge - its really had its day and people either want carpet or real wood. Sorry!!

[shaneystar2]

Well....we have moved now and have found that everyone seems to like our original floorboards which have been stripped ,sealed and polished and are a doddle to keep clean...unlike the ubiquitous laminate.We have no carpets only on the stairs.Just a big rug in the lounge and rugs in the bedrooms.