Laminate floors or Tiles for bedrooms? South Florida area...any ideas would be kindly appreciated!

I am currently looking at upgrading the bedrooms in my new house and would like some input for the decision making. I have been told that with the humid weather here that the laminate floors buckle a lot...now I'm unsure what I wanna do. Would prefer a green option and safe or damage free with 3 kids !

22 Comments

Pam D Alexandria, LA

Because of where you live the time will be cool under foot. I got rid of my area rugs for the summer and love walking on the cool tiles.

on May 12, 2012 · Like 1
Designing Home INc. Marietta, GA

If your sub floor is concrete, engineered wood will be the best. For the bedroom, tile is too cold and laminated floor has the problem that you already know.

on May 12, 2012 · Like 1
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

Steer clear of laminate. Regardless of what type of floor your putting it on. Laminate although a pretty good product simply does not stand up to moisture that gets by the seams of each joint. Overtime the edges of the laminate will begin to swell causing a unhappy homeowner.
Tile is really the best way to go, or vinyl.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 1
Designing Home INc. Marietta, GA

Of course depends to the floor at surrounding area, But for upgrading your house I'm not recommending tile or vinyl. Check this link from my ideas page on my website and you can choose the area and style "Bedroom" and you can see over 5000 pictures ( 50 at the time) from designer's professional works and some of them is My wife's design. http://www.designinghomeinc.com/search/label...

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Laminates are just cheap quick fixes, for long term durability and good looks go with tile. Rugs can add under foot comfort seasonally.
When ever I have traveled to "beachy" type resorts tile is widely used through out the entire place...easy to clean, durable and good looking.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 1
Patty S Sturgeon Bay, WI

In Florida, Laminate isn't a good choice, the moist climate is better with tile. Tile also reflects the cool airconditiong, and actually helps to cool your home. I have a home in Arizona, part has laminate and parts have tile...I choose the tile. The laminate gives off a warm feel and seems to absorb heat.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Margaret C Mesa, AZ

I live in Arizona and we tiled our entire house and couldn't be happier. Not only is it cooler, but spills are easy to clean up.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Catherine M Reedsburg, WI

I am in agreement with everyone's comments on laminate, they will buckle in a bathroom even if you didn't live in a humid ares. Our installer told us definitely no laminate in the bathroom. If you like the wood look go with real wood.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Taywesa W Monroe City, MO

i have laminate flooring and i am here to say i want to change it is dangerous with small kids ie... slick fall hazard would love to get the foam puzzle mats flooring for their room

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Cathy B Phoenix, AZ

tile is a very hard surface and hurts our backs...even the kids too much of it is so cold looking,I would never do it again.I would berber bedrooms and laminate other rooms. Tile can be slick and dangerous as well, so take time choosing. Cleaning 1800 sq ft of tile is a booger.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Debi M Washington, NC

I live in eastern NC, which is also very humid. We put laminate in our bedroom 8 years ago because of my allergies. It has never buckled, nor have I had any issues with it. Now, we did not use cheap no name laminate, we bought quality flooring, the sub floor was prepped properly and we put the foam liner down as suggested. I think most of the problems happen when people fail to comply with the manufacturers instructions. It is very importat to follow those instructions. We have a 20 ...»
year (now 12 years left) warranty on the floor Tile is also very nice. However, do realize that children are children and accidents can happen. A heavy object dropped by mistake can crack tile. Good luck with your project.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Kelly S Bremerton, WA

Design Homes Inc has it right. Look at engineered wood flooring made of bamboo. We have hardwood throughout the downstairs and eventually will have it up stairs. We have humidity but not normally the heat. Bedrooms work fine with tile or wood. We have area rugs everywhere because of our old girl (13 yr old shepard-husky). She likes to lay on the tile floor in the laundry room because it is cool.

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Jeanette S Atlanta, GA

A lot depends on how careful your kids are. Water on any floor other than tile can cause problems. Also, you will want to perform a moisture test before you put down any wood, laminated or manufactured floor!

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
Jane M Sarasota, FL

Okay, I live in south Florida and love love love my Pergo laminate floors! My Living Room is at least 12 years old, no scratches yet and super easy to clean, that's why I put the rest of the rooms under Pergo. The sand we have does NOT hurt these floors. The humidity hasn't hurt them either, besides, why do we have air conditioning but to control humidity? I have worn high heels, had dogs and cats and find it is easier to clean than my tile with the nasty grout. It is easier on my ...»
back and knees to stand on. I have, however, been in other people's homes where a sharp corner caused a very serious cut (5 stitches) in a child's leg, and several other people have fallen and concussed themselves on tile. If my vote counts, go laminate!

on May 13, 2012 · Like 0
KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO

Keep in mind ---long term value. Ask any realtor and they will say tile over laminate. I often work in high end homes...in ALL of these there has never been any laminates. They use real hardwoods and tile and quality carpets.
I also work in lower end homes, vinyl and laminate are more common. In the case of laminate I have yet to see one more that a few years old that did not look like crap. The flooring itself ...»
was OK it was the seams that look nasty. These seams SCREAM cheap laminate and this is reinforced by the click clack hollow sound.

on May 14, 2012 · Like 0
Angela G Decatur, GA

Tile is so natural and pretty!

on May 14, 2012 · Like 0
Rebecca M Bakersfield, CA

I prefer laminate mainly because it's easy to clean and isn't freezing cold to walk on in the winter time. Tile is pretty and that's all I can say about tile. I've had both in my homes and I prefer laminate due to the ease of care and the many choices you have.

on May 15, 2012 · Like 0
Melissa K Blythewood, SC

If I lived inSouth Florida, i woul duse tiles for they are cooler

on May 28, 2012 · Like 0
Kristina B Pompano Beach, FL

Thanks for all of your opinions, :)

on May 29, 2012 · Like 0
Sherrie S Debary, FL

I've had porcelain tiles for over 15 years. They didn't have beautiful colors then but many more options are available now. I love my floors because I haven't had to replace them & they still look like new. They are polished - not glazed porcelain.

on Jun 01, 2012 · Like 0
Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL

I was told the same thing today as I was looking at hardwood. Darn! hardwood is expensive but so beautiful. Why not do one bedroom and later do another as you probably work and could afford to do it that way.
I always had terrazzo flooring in Florida with rugs. Can you get terrazzo poured? NO? well I loved that stuff.

on Jun 01, 2012 · Like 0
Therese C Greenfield, IA

Strange as this may sound, white washed or fully painted floors hold up well in Florida's weather. They are very easy to keep clean with kids and the rugs will not slide out from under little feet.

on Jun 04, 2012 · Like 0