Laminate flooring Vs Carpet

[enigma]

Is laminate florring in your lounge area a bit dated now ? Hubby and I are having a bit of a disagreement because I want a new carpet but he wants laminate flooring. I prefer a carpet because although laminate is more practical with young children in the house in the respect that it's easier cleaned and won't stain , the same way a carpet will , I much prefer a carpet as I think that it makes your lounge warmer and is much cosier unlike cold , hard laminate flooring. We had it once before a good few years back but it was a nightmare in the winter because it was so cold and I really don't want it again. I'm not sure that it is really that popular now anyway , so given the choice of the two , what would you opt for ? Laminate or a carpet ?

[Jellybean22]

I have a laminate floor in my sitting room and my daughter has just turned 3. If i didn't have a laminate floor, i would have a very stained carpet. The rug I have in there is bad enough. I always find my sitting room very cosy and warm. It is also very practical. Although I do want a carpet when my daughter has grown up!

[skyep]

enigma - No, I wouldn't say it's dated at all. There's lots of types to choose from, I think 'beech' colour has been done to death. We have just had laminate floor laid, love it! Wouldn't go back to carpet'!

[DaisyD]

Who does the housework? Whoever it is - it's up to them. I hate hoovering so we sanded and varnished all our floorboards - no carpets in my house except on stairs (otherwise too loud). I don't think lack of carpets makes my house feel cold.

[B00]

I agree with you enigma- I had laminate flooring in my lounge a coule of years ago, and once the novelty wore off I too found it very cold and uncomfortable under foot, especially in winter.

I too have a 2yr old in the house and got round the carpet staining by having a very dark brown carpet put down....it might still stain but I can't see 'em- result!!!

[enigma]

Jellybean - Yes , I know all about young children and stains. (sigh) My two year old son doesn't seem to understand that although I love his little pictures , I don't want them all over my walls. Wee menace lol ! Sadly the carpet takes a bit of a battering too. Thank heavens for my Vax. I'd be lost without that.


Skyep - We had light beech when we had it which was really popular then. What shade did you go for , if you don't mind me asking ? I'm taking it that you didn't go for beech then ?

DaisyD - I do the housework so yay , I get the final say then lol !!! I don't mind hoovering at all , in fact , I actually quite enjoy it. I usually put some music on and dance about whilst i'm hoovering. I think that it's one of the least boring household chores.

Boo - I'm glad that i'm not the lone ranger on this one ! That was my point exactly , that in the winter it feels cold and it does feel hard under your feet. I much prefer a nice , soft carpet that's kinder on your tootsies.

Hmm. Thanks for your answers. I think that i'll wait and see if I get a bit more backup before I tell hubby lol !

[DV]

I would never go back to carpet - the ease of laminate is terrifific and it is so much cleaner - I do like carpet but laminate is so easier - you can find ways of making the room warmer, a rug, lighting, a fire - good luck on your decisions

[sleepyj]

dont have laminate it was the worse thing ever .carpet not much better . i had a flood so all my laminate floor had 2 come up got slate now and i love it so much better . go for tiles or stone

[gilby]

i hate laminate flooring. it is not only cold under foot but you can always see the muck on it!! with carpet you know it gets dusty but cant see it, with laminate it is always on show!! i got so fed up of cleaning it all the time

[kwicky]

A problem that is overlooked with laminate flooring is the noise generated by small children. OK if you live in a detached house but think of the neighbours.

[skyep]

enigma - We picked a warm honey colour.

[magicpants]

I Lived with Laminate flooring while my children where youngsters as it was easy to clean, unfortunatly like others i found it to be cold under foot in the winter but great in the summer because the room stays fresher with no stuffy carpets. we had a rose wood colour that was very forgiving and hardly showed the marks. Now the children are older we have opted for tiles for the same reason............ ease. Its not that i don't enjoy hoovering or house work in general, just that there are so many other things i would rather be doing. good luck deciding..

[maggie01]

I have the exact opposite problem. I would love wooden floors but my husband will not have it. It would be so much easier to clean. I always did think it was a daft idea to have carpets unless everyone takes their shoes off at the door which you tend to do for the first couple of weeks.

[audi]

Hi
try cushion flooring is easy to look after and is not so cold under foot lots of different pattens to chose from i have a slate look a like do not like house work anything for an easy life

[enigma]

Oops , I forgot about this question. Sorry about that. If anyone is still reading this , I just wanted to say thank you for all your answers , they were really helpful. It has certainly given me food for thought as I didn't think that laminate was at all popular these days but warm honey sounds lovely skyep. I will also look at the other options mentioned for flooring before I make any decision so once again , thanks to all x