What Are Your Thoughts on Laminate?

Question

The title says it all. I'm wondering if anybody has used the wood looking laminate in their flips? I am getting ready to begin construction next week on a property, and am highly considering this for flooring. It really impressed me on display with the color tones and the texture, but I can't mentally get past the fact that it's laminate.

I am going for what is most practical and aesthetically appealing.

I included 2 pics. I'm going with either the "wood" laminate or a 20" tile. Both fit my budget (Goal is ~$1.35 / ft.)

I am going for what is most practical and aesthetically appealing.

I included 2 pics. I'm going with either the "wood" laminate or a 20" tile. Both fit my budget (Goal is ~$1.35 / ft.)

Aaron McGinnis · Answer

Your GC is cutting a corner then. Tile costs more than laminate to install, period. Just compare the cost of mortar and grout to underlayment and nails.

Bryan L. · Answer

Most of my flips are in the first-time-buyer-blue-collar-worker category.  For these, laminate is an upgrade and it helps the homes to sell.  I've done a few flips that are in a little higher price bracket and laminate just doesn't work there.  You need to look at your competition.  Actually, last year I had two rehabs going at the same time.  On the nicer, more expensive house, the previous owner installed laminate.  But he did a bad job with it and my competition (other houses in the area) had real hardwood.  So I took out the laminate and moved it to the lower-priced house and installed it there.  Then I put engineered hard-wood in the higher priced of the two.

Kathleen Leary · Answer

Another consideration - tile is cold. Women don't like cold feet. Women choose what house to buy.

Tile's great in kitchens, halls, etc. but if you put it in a bathroom (especially at your $$ price point), you might consider adding radiant heating underneath. It would be a definite plus in your offering.

Laminate: in a house in that price range, put in hardwood. Regardless of what it initially looks like, laminate seems like you're cheaping out on the finishes.

Bryan L. · Answer

@Scott Swink

- You said the ARV is about 325K.  Then no, that's not the same demographic as mine.  My ARV is 80.  I know your area is more expensive, but I couldn't ever imagine putting laminate in a 325k house, even in your area.

Pete T. · Answer

I agree some look really great- just make sure it isn't the thin, cheap crap.  Overall, I personally think its the best just in look, maintenance, and cost.

Scott E. · Answer

@Pete T.  How about desirability though? I personally think that the look of laminate has more of a "wow factor" compared to tile. My opinion doesn't matter much though, because I'm designing this to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible.

Maybe this is a better way to word it - If you polled 100 random blue collar worker type people and simply asked them "What flooring would you prefer throughout your home?" what would the response rates look like?

They both have benefits and drawbacks, so maybe it's a 50/50 split in preference, in which I could go with either and be fine.

Pete T. · Answer

I agree w/ Aaron.  Not only is it cheaper to do, it easier to maintain.  For most of my lower end places I prefer a nice laminate or an engineered Hardwood.

Scott E. · Answer

Thank you everybody for the responses!!

@Tyler H. I generally expect the 20" tile in bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms as well, which is why I was considering other options for the main living areas. Cost wise they are nearly equal for material and install, so now it's down to predicting the end buyer's preference.

@Bryan L. Thanks for sharing your experiences. This property will be sold to the same population that you mention. ARV will be ~$325k.

@Aaron McGinnis Believe it or not, while the costs are going to be almost the same, my GC said that it will cost more to install the laminate compared to the tile. That's my dilemma - Price is out of the equation because I will be paying about the same for either option.

Aaron McGinnis · Answer

Consider: The cost to install tile is going to be roughly 4-5 times more than installing the laminate. Tile requires more expensive backerboard, mortar, grout, and more cutting time.

What Are Your Thoughts on Laminate?

Most Popular Reply