Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for the post. I had a listing where the seller said it had hardwood floor. I asked whether it was laminate floor and she said yes.

Jan 19, 2013 07:18 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, Gita, a lot of people get this confused.

Jan 19, 2013 07:33 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I do cringe when I see laminate flooring in a kitchen or bathroom.  All I can think is "what were they thinking".

 

Jan 19, 2013 07:43 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Lenn - Yes...we were actually just talking about that last night.  The bathroom is especially crazy with lots of water, but also tons of moisture.  It won't last at all.

Jan 19, 2013 07:47 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

The worst part of laminated floors, is for some reason, many homeowners think they can be installed by themselves instead of by a professions.

Whenever I buy homes to flip, if they were self installed, more times than not, they have to be ripped out and start over.

Jan 19, 2013 08:00 PM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Debbie: Lenn beat me to it...why put laminate in rooms with lots of moisture?!  Enjoyed this insightful post.

Jan 19, 2013 08:02 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Debbie, you always provide such valuable information on flooring for the consumer...great post on laminates!

Jan 19, 2013 08:28 PM
Donald Reich
Prudential Centennial - New Rochelle, NY

Excellent artice. I love hardwood floors, but sometimes laminate is a less expensive and more efficient alternative. 

Jan 19, 2013 08:40 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Joe - You are so right.  And, you can always tell when they have been installed by a non professional.

Anita - Thank you so much.  And, yes, that's the #1 mistake.

Ginny - Thank you so much!

Donald - Yes, that's exactly how I feel.

Jan 19, 2013 08:49 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Once on a home inspection I told my client that their laminate flooring was a "floating" flooring.  He looked at me funny, walked out onto it, and acted like he was on a surf board saying, "It doesn't feel floating to me."  Some people are very literal...

Jan 19, 2013 09:00 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Debbie. This is a great example of the thorough and comprehensive knowledge you share with us regurlarly. Well deserved feature.

Jan 19, 2013 09:24 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Jay - LOL...and yes, people do tend to get confused by the term.

Sheila - Thank you so much.  I wrote it on the plane.

Jan 19, 2013 09:27 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Debbie, Grat information on laminate. This isn't my favorite product but it does have its place. I mentioned you in my series Debs that Shine in the Rain this week. You are The Flooring Girl that has made a name for herself in many ways.

Jan 19, 2013 09:33 PM
Fernando Herboso - Broker for Maxus Realty Group
Maxus Realty Group - Broker 301-246-0001 - Gaithersburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Great post Debbie. .you always teaching us and I learned today that laminated flooring is not waterproof. .

Jan 19, 2013 10:35 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Debbie, this is good information! I think a lot of people don't know the difference other than they may not like laminate flooring.

Jan 19, 2013 10:42 PM
Janis Borgueta
Key Properties of the Hudson Valley - Newburgh, NY
LIC RE Salesperson

Great info on the definition. I know that my buyers of older homes get so confused with what they see and what they want. This is a good article to help them understand.

Jan 20, 2013 12:49 AM
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Debbie - great post. Thank you for sharing your abundant knowledge on flooring. Now I know that laminate flooring in kitchen and bathroom is a definite NO.

Jan 20, 2013 01:08 AM
Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

Laminate flooring is a great product that can give the home a warm and luxurious feel

Jan 20, 2013 01:21 AM
Christina Sanchez Hood
Palo Alto, CA
#SiliconValleyHOODS | Inspired Living

Debbie, this is a great post.  So many people get confused with the flooring choices available, discounting one over another because of what they 'think' they know.  Your post is now bookmarked for future reference :)  Thanks and congrats on your feature, it is well-deserved!

Jan 20, 2013 02:33 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, RealtorĀ®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Debbie, a great explanation on the difference of laminate vs hardwood. I was going to suggested and see it has been featured...congratulations!

Jan 20, 2013 05:48 AM
Ron Fowler
Fowler Copywriting - Vancouver, WA

Great post, Debbie, I love learning new things and this one taught me a lot :)

Jan 20, 2013 05:50 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Debbie, I did not know about the sound value of laminate floors.  Learned something new again :)

Jan 20, 2013 07:11 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Debbie - Good information to help home owners decide what type of flooring for them.

Jan 20, 2013 11:32 AM
Frank Castaldini
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in San Francisco
Thanks for the lesson. I guess laminate floors are different than engineered floors or is this the same? Thanks if you can answer this.
Jan 20, 2013 10:17 PM
Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD
federalfinanciallawgroup.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

I always thought that laminate was an Italian word for "inexpensive".....lahm-in-AHTEE LOL

Jan 21, 2013 01:52 PM