Vinyl "Wood Look" Planks

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Was hoping to refloor our sun porch which is currently carpeted with a hardwood or laminate wood flooring. I’m being told that since the surface is concrete and the porch though used year around can and does get cold on the dead of winter days/nights that laminate or wood would be risky due to possible moisture and temp fluctuation. The option two flooring stores have mentioned is a vinyl wood look plank product something like this:
<a href=“https://onflooring.com/products/vinyl-flooring/metroflor-engage-select-plank-westfield-elm”>https://onflooring.com/products/vinyl-flooring/metroflor-engage-select-plank-westfield-elm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I feel disappointed not to get something truly wood like, but doesn’t seem like we have many options. I will put an area rug over the floor. Just wondering if others have had a product like this, where you have used it and how durable it seems, how it feels to walk on, etc. </p>

<p>The product price wise is similar to laminate but I’m not convinced of the quality and LOOK. And looks mean a lot to me. </p>

2

<p>The rest of our house (1925) has original hardwoods - no carpet anywhere. Just don’t like carpet! At the same time, having a hard time settling for this product and afraid it will look too artificial and not be liked at resale (master plan is to sell in 3-5 years - but carpet needs to be replaced NOW!)</p>

3

<p>My mother had vinyl planks in her kitchen in her old house. They had a slightly hyper real look. Just a little too shiny, particularly compared to the old wood floors in the rest of her house. I didn’t hate them, but I didn’t love them either. If you like the look the other alternative would be wood look porcelain tiles. The vinyl will probably feel marginally warmer in the winter. <a href=“http://www.lowes.com/Wood-Look-Tile/_/N-1z0y8zw/pl”>http://www.lowes.com/Wood-Look-Tile/_/N-1z0y8zw/pl&lt;/a&gt; (If you google wood look tiles there are lots of examples on Houzz.) If you do go for the tiles, I’d recommend using a Schulter tile underlayment as sunporches tend to have more expansion due to temperature changes than house interiors and it will give you a vapor barrier as well.</p>

4

<p>The one we were looking at was not overly shiny - which was good. The wood look tile idea is interesting. Might have to take a ride out to Lowe’s and check them out. We would not install ourselves - so a good installer is important to me whatever we decide on. </p>

5

<p>I’ve seen several brands of the wood look porcelain tile installed and would love to use it in our next house. Mathmom’s suggestion about Schluter’s Ditra membrane is excellent. You can also check ratings on porcelain tile to see if it’s appropriate for outdoor flooring use. </p>

6

<p>We have a floor very similar to the one you’ve linked to, and are very happy with it. It’s been 11 years and no complaints. We had too many dogs at the time to spend the money on hardwood and have it scratched and scuffed. It is very difficult to tell the “fake” floor isn’t actually hardwood, apart from the fact it’s nearly impossible to scratch. Drop a knife, or a mallet on it, and it will get a knick (experience here) but even that is barely perceptible. If you are going to cover it with an area rug anyway, I would channel your angst elsewhere. </p>

7

<p>Have you considered talking with a concrete contractor about scoring and staining the underlying concrete? Our neighbor’s is just beautiful - looks like slate - and is finished with a large sisal rug.<br>
You don’t sound like you are at all sold on the vinyl wood look product!!! This is for you, not the future owners!</p>

8

<p>Yes, I’ve seen that concrete look and it’s very nice too.</p>

9

<p>I have seen this product used on Income Property (HGTV), especially in basements. It looks great (as long as it is installed correctly)!</p>

10

<p>I like concrete counters, but don’t think I’m in for concrete floors - though I’m sure it’s a cool look. My vision is for a sunny library type space - the ceiling is a cherry/walnut beadboard/wainscotting look. I would like to keep the wood “warmth” on the floor. </p>

11

<p>I wonder how color stable, over time, these vinyl products are? I will have to replace the sheet vinyl in my bathrooms. They are in good condition, installation good, but they have yellowed too much. I would assume that the porcelain would never vary. Maybe it would not be an issue with the wood look vinyl.</p>

12

<p>We replaced all of the carpeting in my office with this product over three years ago. We get a lot of foot traffic, have rolling chairs and it still looks great. Received a lot of compliments when we first made the changeover.</p>

<p>caveat: I am not a home decorating maven, rely on the ladies in my office to make all decor decisions.</p>

13

<p>I have the wood grain tile in my bath and I love it. Looks very nice and is easy upkeep. Just make sure it’s appropriate for that installation. </p>

14

<p>I also have the wood grain tile and totally love it…</p>

15

<p>So is it tile like ceramic tile? Going back to the flooring store soon and want to know what to ask for. </p>

16

<p>Yes, it’s generally porcelain tile, which is a little harder to work with, but is harder, denser and less water absorbent. I think every brand calls them something slightly different: <a href=“http://www.lowes.com/Wood-Look-Tile/_/N-1z0y8zw/pl#”>http://www.lowes.com/Wood-Look-Tile/_/N-1z0y8zw/pl#&lt;/a&gt;! or <a href=“http://www.homedepot.com/b/Flooring-Tile/Wood-Grain/N-5yc1vZar0yZ1z0wlem”>http://www.homedepot.com/b/Flooring-Tile/Wood-Grain/N-5yc1vZar0yZ1z0wlem&lt;/a&gt; I think you’ll see them anywhere you go, they are very popular right now.</p>

17

<p>Installed LVT in a family room/office/bathroom 1400 sq ft area that is on a slab. Love it. Warm and quiet and durable. Came in 3 difference sizes so the look is really nice. </p>

18

<p>Well I think I’ve made a decision - looked at the wood look tile - briefly - it’s at least twice the cost - not wanting that type of expense in this room. I have 3 samples laying n the floor now to observe in different light but I’ve got my eye on one vinyl locking plank type that looks the most like actual wood. Next step call them out to measure!!</p>

19

<p>Great, it’s nice when you like the cheapest choice best!</p>

20

<p>You know, he started showing me the wood look tiles, I asked early on the expense. When he said, “at least twice the price of the other choices”, I said, let’s not even look! The one I think we will be getting looks the most wood like, has “locking” plants as opposed to just an adhesive strip and has a good finish. </p>