Discussions

Just needing some comments. Thinking about using laminate in a kitchen renovation but not sure about its durability with water and moisture? What are some of your experiences?

We had laminate installed in our kitchen last year. We were told it will hold up to small water spills as long as you clean it up in a timely fashion. We have 3 kids and so far it has held up well to spills.

My parents put laminate in their kitchen 15 years ago. I thought they were crazy. It's held up really well, however, and it wasn't even expensive stuff.

The company we bought flooring from, he is also our neighbor, we wanted laminate and since he knew us well, he was very open and honest. Never would he put laminate in a kitchen or bathroom.

the one we got looks just like, if not better, than vinyl plank, super easy to install, can spill or track anything on it, wouldn't change it for the world.

We have it in our bathroom with zero issues. Now we also have it in the basement but would not recommend without a subfloor. My floor is uneven and places lift.  
 
It was super easy to install and I would definitely use again just not in a basement or uneven floor

Vinyl is expensive but can be used anywhere bathroom kitchen living room  
 
Laminate is good anywhere except bathrooms.

I totally agree with Brenda.. We put laminate in our kitchen and if there was a small bit of water spilled on a joint that you didn't notice, it will more than likely swell the joint.I would wait and save the extra money needed and put down vinyl sheet or plank in a place where you are going to have water.In my opinion, it's not with the risk to waste the hard work and money that's going into it.

I posted pics of our vinyl to this discussion.  
 
https://ebrandon.ca/messagethread.aspx?message_id=1023523&cat_id=249

I put linoleum throughout my house. It looks like hardwood flooring. Most people cannot decide if it is laminate or hardwood. Nope. It is kid and pet friendly linoleum. Looks great, easy care, forgivable to pretty much anything, including sharpie (go over with dry eraser, wipe with cloth).  
Linoleum come in tons of different wood plank patterns and finishes (from matte to high gloss). I recommend taking a look as options.

We have all three of these in our house in various places. You'll get the most years out of linoleum, but it's pricier and harder to install. Vinyl plank is easy to install (subfloor required in uneven rooms...we put ours over old hardwood and it lifts in places...I was expecting to have to redo floors when my kids are grown anyway though) and has no issues with sitting water. I'd personally never put laminate (which is a bit trickier to install but fairly simple as far as floorings go) in a bathroom or kitchen.

People.  
 
 
Have you any idea how FEW actual instructional days our kids have in total every year???  
 
 
Between Xmas break, spring break and long weekends there are already shockingly few.  
Check the BSD website.  
 
And. Then there is movie day, assemblies, movie day(again) and off-site activities (some of which are a complete waste of YOUR child's half or full day of 'school').  
 
OH! Don't forget weekends!  
 
 
Now. Don't accuse me of not valuing what teachers do. Because I am someone who thanks my kids' teachers profusely for their efforts and time. Profusely. Gifts. I donate all kinds of things to class, too. I see what they have to deal with. I see the needs. I see how certain teachers give the way they should....  
 
But these PD days ARE days off.  
THEY know it. And most of us know it.  
 
From time to time there may be a few hours where SOME teachers acquire some updating of techniques etc. during a PD day, but its more chatting, coffee, long lunches, treats,cleaning up your class room, AND getting out of there 'early'.  
 
I am appalled at how many "PD" days there are. My kids are losing. Your kids are losing. And everyone seems to be ok with that - right???  
 
Close to three months off and there can't be three weeks of intense, focused teacher professional development THEN?  
 
Yes. There can be. But there just isn't.  
 
"That's the way it is..." is the thinking and I am sure this won't change.  
 
 
My children deserve more instructional days. Their little brains are primed, NOW, to receive and retain essential information about the world. They are sponges. They are AMAZING. AND THEY DESERVE MORE.

We were considering vinyl plank or laminate flooring and our installer (very experienced) recommended vinyl (not plank). He mentioned that every seam has potential to get stuff stuck in there or leak through over the years, fewer seams is better. Vinyl in his opinion has better wear and fewer problems. There are some very high quality great options available now. Everyone thinks our floor is tile. But its soft to walk on and warm. Plus, it was our least expensive option. Love it!

Just recently built a house and used vinyl plank in 90% of it and very happy with it. Had some laminate in prior house and would never go back. Would never have carpet again either.  
Vinyl plank looks great, so easy to clean, and so much warmer then laminate especially in cooler weather. Price wise was very comparable. Vinyl all the way!

Vinyl is the best for kids, pets, water and cleaning. If you are a DIY person, plank allows you to work on a small section at a time whereas sheet vinyl will require total furniture removal and also more perfection in the floor you cover. The floating floor will hide minor imperfections in the evenness of the floor underneath.  
 
I would never recommend laminate, yes it is cheaper but also looks cheap and does not hold up. It chips, separates and bloats when water gets in.