Since my first post in my 31 Day Series, Building Character, I have received a few requests for more information on my new floors.
Our builder grade spec home had wall to wall builder beige carpet. We have lived here 7 years and have replaced the flooring 3 times. Yes, 3 times in seven years.
With three kids and a dog, we decided it was time to do something once and for all. I started looking into hardwood not only for aesthetic character building reasons but, for practicality. I soon realized that real hardwood floors really aren't all that practical.
That's when I decided to explore the option of laminate. I was shocked when I came across this flooring at Sam's Club (Select Surfaces in Oak). The price was phenomenal, $1.50/sq foot. Seriously! I loved the look, I loved the maintenance-free finish, I love the easy installation and I loved the price.
The best thing about this floor, other than the way it looks, is the commercial grade quality. Exactly what is needed in my home. The hand-scraping detail definitely makes it appear more like real hardwood.
(Before)
(After)
The wide planks click together in any pattern that you desire. I chose the stair-step pattern.
I had the floor professionally installed. The "click together" feature of this flooring makes it a great DIY project. Since we had several adjoining rooms and not a lot of time on our hands, we decided to have a professional handle it.
It has completely transformed our home. Even though it is not the real thing. The only down side is the gasp we get from people when we tell them it's laminate. Funny how we have to tell them, though...
To see the entire 31 Day Series, please click here.
Posts
Gosh! I wish this product had been around when we ripped out the 20 year old carpet in the house we bought. We chose laminate, too, but it's nothing like the one you have. Great choice. I do like the laminate in that it's been easy to CLEAN.
ReplyDeleteI have the same floor and we have everybody fooled too:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
Beautiful floors..amazing difference and what a steal at that price!! Beautiful blog too..I follow!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the *gasp* is a bad thing - I think you're probably changing people's feelings on laminate with that gorgeous floor!
ReplyDeleteOMG those floors are lovely!!! Your home was already absolutely gorgeous and the floors have taken you to a new level of gorgeousness!! Phenomenal character!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE them! BTW, WHAT are the gorgeous wall colors in your dining room and living room? MUST know! love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the extra info on the floors! After we got our puppy (and spilled an entire can of paint on our carpet) it became clear our carpet was going to have to go sooner rather than later. I always hated it anyway. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis flooring sounds like a wonderful option to consider! Our hardwoods are right through the MIDDLE of our house so I don't know exactly how to connect it all together with new flooring, but it seems so affordable it might be worth redoing the entire house!
Your floors are lovely!! :-)
The floors set off your furnishings just beautifully! I can't believe the price and that they are laminate.
ReplyDeleteI will be looking into this as I HATE my tile floors that came with the house, even though they are 18", the grout is just the worst! I just don't like them throughout all the living areas. I want a warmer look.
Thanks for sharing this great product.
xoxo Bunny Jean
Wednesday's bunny Hop Party!
Wow! You could never tell by the photos! I love the way the floors add so much warmth to your home...so pretty!
ReplyDelete-Shelley
This is just awesome. I showed it to my husband tonight. He is ready to tear out the carpet and hardwood on our first floor to replace with what you have! He can do it himself so we should be able to afford it. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletedefinitely going to check this out at our Sams
ReplyDeleteI have seen this flooring at Sam's club, but was really skeptical of it's quality. Wow does it look nice! Might reconsider, as laminate is so much more practical with kids and a dog!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful - BUT I hate the hollow sound laminate floors make when you walk on them. I'll pay more for wood...
ReplyDeleteCan you please tell me the style and manufacturer. I called SAMs and they rudely said we have 5 types and don't know what I'm asking about :(
ReplyDeleteHey Yolonda, It is Select Surfaces in Canyon Oak. I hope that helps. Sorry they were rude.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Sarah
I love your flooring! I also love your wall color in the dining room! Do you know the name of the color? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWOW. That floor is beautiful. I'm curious to know whether you can lay it on top of cement or do you have to put a layer? Also, does it sound hollow to walk on? It's time to do my hallway, living room and kitchen/dining room. Thanks for your help.
ReplyDeleteazspider13@yahoo.com
Wow! I didn't even know you could get laminate that looks like that! I love the look, and the price, eve better! And the next time people ask if it's real - turn it back on them. "Do you think it's real?" ;-)
ReplyDeleteJenny
www.EvolutionofStyleblog.blogspot.com
Would you mind sharing the color you painted your dining room? Thanks so much! Love the flooring:)
ReplyDeleteWe have very similar laminate floors and LOVE them!! We always get compliments on them and gasps when we tell people that they are laminate.
ReplyDeleteTruly beautiful and I have convinced my husband to put them in our home. We start this weekend :) One question though, what do you use to clean them? I have heard conflicting things regarding cleaning laminate flooring and have heard that it is difficult to get it clean without leaving a film. We have 2 dogs and will be cleaning them a lot :) Thanks in advance!!
ReplyDeleteCan you share the new color in the dining room - exquisite!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful comments on the dining room paint color. It is "Crevecour" by Martha Stewart.
ReplyDeleteThe floor does have a slight hollow sound but, it's not as bad as other laminates I have seen. So far, I have found a Swiffer Mop works the best for cleaning.
Regards,
Sarah
Where did you find your lanterns on your coffee table? I'm obsessed with them but don't want to spend a fortune! Awesome style!
ReplyDeleteI have already been down to Sam's and YES, they do have the flooring, but NOT the door mouldings... Where did you get yours? Please help!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love your new floors! My husband and I have been wanting to install laminate in our dining room and kitchen, but haven't found the "right" one. After stumbling upon your blog and seeing what you have done, I think we are going to have to use the same flooring you did. I read on the Sam's website it comes with a foam backer attached. Did you install additional foam, or was the pre-attached sufficient? Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI am encouraged by your floors because I just put some engineered wood in almost the same color as yours. I am looking to see what kinds of rugs you put down. I would welcome any suggestions you have for me re: colors and styles of rugs for my space.
ReplyDeleteSo I am VERY new to home decor and I have no idea what you did to your walls to give it the two toned look. Are those white panels on your walls? Do u mind sharing where you got them and how much it cost to do?
ReplyDeleteNEVER MIND! lol i just discovered all your posts about wainscotting and picture molding :)
ReplyDeleteWhere did you purchase your buffet table? I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteSam's Club should be paying you. I've been debating this floor because my past experience with laminate (years ago) wasn't great. But I saw this and scratched at it with my keys on the display and couldn't hurt the stuff. I have a dog who cannot always be trusted and so I've been concerned about how this would hold up. Yours looks fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI bought this exact same floor just because I saw it here on your blog and I loved it! We put it in almost 1000 square feet of our main living area and it is perfect and I absolutely love it! I'm so glad I found your blog and that you gave the information so I could get this! You can check it out here: http://danandhaleyhill.blogspot.com/2011/11/flooring-extravaganza.html. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI bought a box of this, laid it out at home and wanted to love it. Love the color, love the rustic quality, the NOT-plastic sound, and the wide planks. BUT I just can't get around the uniform lines/ridges that are used to simulate handcraping. If they were random, this flooring would be incredible. Anyone else that has installed this floor notice it? I'm afraid my eye will be drawn to it constantly and ruin it for me - it's the ONLY thing that makes this floor look fake!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I have not noticed that. I had the planks laid in a stair step pattern which I think helped to create a random-ness to the scraping detail. I am very happy with the look and after having it for a few months, I would make the same decision. I always say that nothing is as beautiful as real hard wood floors but I think this product is second best. Thanks for chiming in :) Best, Sarah
ReplyDeleteThank you.....maybe I'll buy another box, mix them up and see what happens. I sooooooo want this floor!
ReplyDeleteI am really considering using this flooring when I replace our carpet. I just want someone who has used this product to tell me if this laminate really sounds funny when you walk on it like I keep reading about. Does it make a difference? I am going to be putting it in the dining room, foyer, great room, master bedroom, stairs, second floor hallway, and at least one bedroom used as my sewing room. This is a huge area and I am scared of making a costly mistake. It looks so good in the pictures. Help?
ReplyDeleteI bought a box to test out.....with the thick padding, it sounds much less hollow than most laminates. The only thing I didn't like was the too-unfirorm lines that simulate the handscraping - buy a box and spread it out at home, walk on it and see what you think. What I ended up selecting is the Golden Arowana stranded bamboo flooring at Costco. It's real, it's uniclic for a floating installation and is stunning...$1.00 more per square foot. Won't be installing for a couple of months yet (when remodel is done), but I can't wait. Did the same thing - bought a box and spread it out and I can't take my eyes off it!
ReplyDeletewhat color, manufacturer is the dining room paint color?
ReplyDeleteLove this look! We are planning to lay about 2000sq ft of this product instead of our current mismatched and dated laminate and hardwood. I was on the Sam's website and only saw Canyon Oak and Vintage Oak. Did you use one of those colors. Didn't see a plain Oak.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I'm so sick of my forest green carpet. This is happening this year.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks beautiful! Can you tell me where you got your circle mirror and striped curtains? Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI love this floor and I need need need ti!!
ReplyDeleteIs it this?
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod2990117
I love this floor and need need need it!!
ReplyDeleteIs this it?
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod2990117
We are considering these floors, they look beautiful in your home. I just wanted to know if you still love them even after these months. We have six kids so we need extra durability. Love your blog you amazingly talented, thanks for sharing your talent!
ReplyDelete