Wow, Im liking this section of BITOG.
Talk about flooring, every room in our new home except bathrooms and laundry room is Shaw Laminate Flooring. This story is too long.
Anyway, just in the last week the builder and flooring company that they used has agreed to tear out all the Laminate Flooring and replace. They will pay movers to move our furniture out, pay for us to live someplace for 3 days while they replace it all.
I would liken it to improper installation. Its really not horrible in anyway, some might be shocked that they are doing this but the only way to do it right is go from one end of the house to the other with new floor and I think a different type of under layment. Shaw is no longer going to sell Laminate in the residential market but will continue to with builders and in buildings, such as condo etc.
Laminate and LVP both have positives and negatives.
As of right now they are replacing with the same. We love the floor but having second thoughts. Anyone interested can simply search Laminate vs LVP for the positives and negatives of both.
Anyway the most durable I would consider to be LVP by a wide margin, for only one reason, being it is vinyl it is truly waterproof.
Laminate, no matter how much they try to properly seal it, under it all is the equal of particle board. Moisture can affect it.
Mohawk is a brand that will warranty water proof up to ten years on their laminate.
The key here is proper installation and honestly it's not really meant for kitchens or any moisture areas.
So why bother with it? Comfort. It's easier on the feet and will not get that cold feeling like vinyl in the winter. Meaning insulate better.
Ok, LVP AWESOME, SOME OF THE SELECTIONS NOW look REALLY nice. Wife and I have gone nuts the last week trying to decide if we should ask the builder to consider replacing with LVP. We have read, looked at other homes the builder is doing with LVP and just yesterday took photos of LVP samples at the model home.
We asked the builder if we could have the option to use LVP instead. They had a meeting about this with the installer. IF the builder gives the go ahead we are going to go with LVP for the durability. However we do know someone in the industry who says they are both good but prefers the laminate as long as it is installed right for the more natural and warmth factor.
ANYWAY to the OP, this person in the industry suggested to us, no matter what we choose, LAMINATE OR LVP TO GO WITH NAME BRAND MOHAWK OR SHAW. Avoid everything else. Im not saying I agree with that but I am saying these two companies seems to be safe bets as I have seen reference to the same in articles.
If our builder allows the floor to be replaced with LVP instead of what is already here which is Shaw Laminate we are hoping to have this installed. One of these two LVP colors. We have seen it in one of the new homes currently under construction. With that said, this family of products comes in a wide range of color choices. We like the light spectrum > There is also the possibility they may insist on replacing what is here and we mostly ok with that, its just with laminate we will always fear water damage and that might be unfounded but it wont happen with LVP. At the same time the Laminate will feel more "real" tough call but if anyone asked us. I would say LVP is the go to product. UNLESS it will be in living spaces that do not include kitchen, dining room an dog course baths and laundry.
