Guess what I'm doing this weekend?

[Carrie]

Guess what I'm doing this weekend? The clue is is in my picture.
This project is on my to do list and I have always wanted one of these and the oportunity fell into my lap. I can explain after someone guesses what I'm up to:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Shadowreb/SoonIwillhavewoodfloors003.jpg

[CohenCottage]

Installing hardwood floors???

[Gigi]

Ditto-- hardwoods?

[Carrie]

Not hardwood. I wish. High quality laminate. I got estimates on wood and it was not recommended, because the floors need to be floating floors and I have pets. I live in a modular home. It also was too expensive for my pocketbook.
I didn't expect to be putting floor down this weekend or even this year, but it's happening. I had saved some money to do the project, thinking I'd do it next year. I was talking to my good neighbor Tom and his wife about projects I was doing. He said he would help me install the floors. He is even more resonable than the people who gave me my original estimate. I will be helping and I hopefully learning how to put them down. Tom is laid off because of the weather, so he has the time. He also has the know how, because he used to do flooring for a living.
It's not wood, but it feels and looks like it. I may have to save real wood floors for the day I buy a different home.

[ChapterTwo]

It sounds like the time is perfect for your new flooring...Good luck wih it, this weekend. I hope you'll show us photos!

[shabbychick]

High quality laminate is just as nice as the real thing for a lot less money. I bet it'll look spectacular.

[Gigi]

I agree "high quality laminate" being just as good as hardwoods. We have this in our home- and it's wonderful! It's pet friendly (3 dogs)---and living on the water-there's always mud, dirt, etc... being tracked in....

Carrie ~Good luck with your project!

[vintage girl]

I have laminate parquet flooring and I love it!!! Far more "forgivving" than wood, especially with animals. I have six dogs and it still looks brand new after several years:) I am sure you will be very happy with it.

[Carrie]

Thanks y'all. I live in a humid climate and thing tend to expand and contract. Wood would warp and if the furry baby has an accident on the floor, well I've heard that it could discolor the wood or worse. Not sure if that's true.
I will definately take pictures.
Tommorow Tom is coming over with a friend to strip out the carpet. Since the carpet is in excellent shape they are going reuse it on the second mans remodeling project. Tom's helper is redoing a small bedroom and can use the carpet in there. I'm glad because this will keep the carpet out of the landfill and Tom has help with lifting the heavy furniture as well as resonable labor. Reuse and recycle. :D I live by that moto.

[Gigi]

I think that's wonderful you can reuse the carpet! I love to reuse many things ~ especially when I think about the landfills.

Best of luck!

[CohenCottage]

Carrie - I had laminate in a house when I was in grad school, and it was really durable and easy to clean. Be careful with water and spills though. Mine buckled at the edges a bit where my dog's water bowl sat and where I left a mop bucket sitting while I mopped

[Carrie]

I'm have a mat under the dish but it's actually a plastic table mat. I might need to buy something with sides to hold water in if it spills. Thanks for the warning.
Amazingly enough, the floor is almost finished. I need to go to Lowes tomorrow to buy a piece of metal trim and return a roll of pad, a box of flooring, and some other stuff, but it is done. It only took a day. It looks great. For some reason the rooms seems bigger now. If I move the recliner I could have a dance floor. ;)
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Shadowreb/Floorremodelnewfloor001-1.jpg

[CohenCottage]

It looks great!!!

[Carrie]

Thank you!

[ChapterTwo]

It looks lovely, Carrie. I'd swear it was hardwood.

Don't ya just love projects that get done quickly (with a little help from your friends)? :)

[shabbychick]

Wow, it's beautiful!!! Good work. You might want to keep that extra box of flooring around in case you ever need to do any repairs. I like the dance floor idea. Do you have room on your ceiling for the disco ball? :)

[annielinz]

Carrie that looks wonderful!

[Carrie]

I put one of the extra boxes of flooring in the closet. It only had one piece taken out. I returned the unopened box of laminate, trim, and bag of pad back to the store and got some money back. Woohoo!
No disco balls, the ceiling fan would hit it. :rolleyes:

[Gigi]

The floor is just gorgeous! I just LOVE the color!

[vintage girl]

Beautiful floor. You guys did a great job:)

[Carrie]

Thank you.
My brother got a look at the floor and told me I should use a Sharpie to draw nails on the end of the boards. Dufus! :eek:

[RoseMary]

It turned out great, Carrie!

[Carrie]

Thanks, RoseMary.
Guess what? My dog is traumitised by me taking up her carpeting. The little stinker won't play on the floor. She hangs out on the sofa and goes in the hall to play. I guess I need to go rug shopping.

[mac78]

Very nice. It great having friends and family that can help. Enjoy it.

[mac78]

Very nice. It is great having friends and family that can help. Enjoy it.