I have had about 4 boxes of this, for over a year now I'm ashamed to say, ready to go into my spare room upstairs. Time has not been on my side but I plan to finally get it installed very soon. I did so much research before purchasing it and am very confident with the purchase and how it will look in the room. But seeing yours just makes me even more confident with that decision. I think carpet is the worst thing and can't wait to have this installed! Thanks so much for posting your review! Short, sweet and very informative!
You will feel SO GOOD to get rid of that carpet! Ours was probably decades old and a big bonus after completing this project was that the house instantly smelled better. Not to mention a major improvement in the aesthetic. Good luck! :)
Thank You for your review. We just did almost 500 sq. ft in 4 rooms of our house with this Style Selections wood laminate in the Tavern Oak as well. We used the Pergo premium underlayment / moisture barrier. At the end of this project, this flooring looks pretty darn good. I won't know about residential and pet durability for a while yet. I do have some Pros and Cons about the product after spending some time installing it. Though not a professional, I can and do read the product instructions and I have some construction experience as well as a table saw and mitre saw that really help with this kind of project. We also installed this on our small town bar music stage during COVID. Once we reopened, some damage was sustained by the setup and teardown of multiple bands worth of equipment over 8 months. Pros; 1. Our finished install does look great. 2. The surface seems very durable withstanding sliding small tools around on it, rubber hammer, nylon step hammer blocks, tape measure, etc. without damage during install. 3. Price point. By far the least expensive wood laminate we could find available anywhere. Don't forget though, you have to buy underlayment padding with this type of floor. Some better than others but and added expense changing that 0.99 per sq ft. Cons; 1. There are 5 patterns for the wood pictures laminated on each plank, a box has 8 planks in it. out of our initial 20 boxes, we had 2 certain patterns repeat more than any of the rest by 2 or more to 1. 2. The warping on the side joints the reviewer mentioned was not minor by any means and occurred most often in one pattern. These couldn't be "Hammered in place" using the correct tools, with other patterns without damage. Oddly enough the warped planks fit perfectly with their pattern / warp partners from the same box. Same pattern side by side is not desirable. 3. When the install method in the instructions was followed, most of the end joints were acceptable unless warped planks cut shorter to minimize the warp effects of the side joints were involved. Then the warp end wouldn't join properly with a straight plank, leaving a crooked end joint on their factory edges. 4. The locking grooves and tongues are QUITE FRAGILE and can be damaged when assembling/jockeying into place, leaving their own debris in the joints causing further fitment issues. 5. Some planks in 3 later purchased boxes had the same 5 patterns but some were spun 180 degrees on the plank to the initial boxes. Confusing after 20 boxes one way. 6. Planks already installed and found to require removal, for whatever reason, will likely be damaged, splitting the butt end on disengagement rendering that plank unusable except in applications where you would cut the butt end off like against a wall at a shorter length. 7. Finish of laminate on some edges can be poor and show up glaringly with the sun streaming in on them as you walk up to them, even after cleaning. This may cause the need to remove one and swap it out for a more desirable plank. In 75% of the cases this will split the butt end of one or more planks causing more waste. I have been using the term "warped" but in reality there is a manufacturing issue with these planks that negatively effects the squareness of the joints of certain pattern planks consistently. We started calling them "Wonky", swapping them quickly for a different one with perfect fit results. these Wonky planks will not bend the required 1/8 inch in the sideways direction no matter how hard you hit them. All in all, If you don't mind a big amount of waste per box via the wonky edges. Being on the floor installing, only to find out one of these wonky planks is in your hand. The fragile joints in general. The easily split in disassembly butt ends. Then this my be a good product for you. It does look good when done right. I will not buy this product again nor will I recommend it to anyone because, the waste factor pattern inequity and wonky joints is just ridiculous and frustrating.
Something important with this type of flooring, especially if you have pets - Do not let it get wet! If water gets in the seams they will swell and be ruined. Preventative for this is either rubbing on a good coat of Johnson's Wax, or brushing on light coats of satin polyurethane. Again considering the joints so not too much poly at once. But the wax is a good way to keep moisture out.
This is what I was looking for because the guy in the store was so against me using polyurethane, lol. I'll look up the wax stuff. First timer here. Thanks
@@josen4real5When I installed my first laminate floor in my kitchen twenty years ago, Armstrong recommended using a white glue on the joints. The bottle had a nozzle that dispensed a 1/16" bead of glue and most of the glue would get squeezed out when the boards were clicked together, the excess would be wiped off with a damp cloth. If you wipe off spills within a few minutes there should be no problems. After twenty years and a leaky dishwater and ice maker, one seam swelled slightly.
I have a similar layout as you with the identical baseboard heaters 😩. I 🙏🏿 pray mine comes out as good as yours. I have had some gaps and some boards not fully aligned.
Hi! So glad to see you have a dog... I think your review/opinion will be INCREDIBLY helpful. We are torn between LifeProof LVP and Style Selections LVP. The LifeProof one is 22 mil wear layer and is thicker at 7mm but won't get here for a few months. The Style Selections one is 12 mil wear layer and is 5mm thick, but we can get started tomorrow! With your dog, has your flooring held up well? Any tips, issues, food for thought? Appreciate your thoughts.
Hi Khristina! We moved out of this house a year and a half ago so I unfortunately can’t speak to the current state of the floors. However when we moved out they were still in good shape with almost no signs of wear. Honestly the dogs did not seem to affect the floors whatsoever, if that’s your main concern I think you will be happy with them. They were way more resistant to wear than the actual wood floors our new house has. In fact we are looking to switch to laminate again in this house when budget allows! Good luck!
Stay far away from this product in high humidity areas. I installed owner bought material in his guest house and main house on the Bay in Florida. Humidity caused it to swell after 6 months and homeowner wasn't keeping consistent room temperature. Turned thermostat off when not in use. If the material is under $1.00 SF you better believe it's not quality. You get what you pay for.
Yes! We have two dogs now and they tear through the house on it and it doesn't show any scratches or wear. I've been really happy with how well it's held up.
YOU LIED TO ME.! I bought this flooring because you recommend it. I pulled my hair out throughout this whole project. Because it is a floating floor, it is constantly moving. Making it very hard to line it up. I find it hard to believe you did your job yourself. I"d bet your husband did it. I have been a carpenter my whole life (I am 69yrs old) and this is the most I've been challenged in a long long time. It looks great but I doubt it will last long. Sorry if I sound sexest but I know a "Man's Job" when I see one.
Lol. It must have also been my husband who replaced our air conditioner compressor, installed our bathtub, built our barn door, tiled our fireplace, etc. etc. The idea of any of these things being solely a “mans job” is laughable. Sorry your floor gave you a challenge. Next time you should hire me!
Those spacers in the install kit keep the floor from moving around. Laying the first row is hardest thing even for me as a man when the wall isn't straight and square. There are many excellent videos here on UA-cam that even a know-it-all like me learns something new.
Nice installation. I put this in one room already and plan to do a second room very soon.
Awesome! Mine is holding up great so far.
I have had about 4 boxes of this, for over a year now I'm ashamed to say, ready to go into my spare room upstairs. Time has not been on my side but I plan to finally get it installed very soon. I did so much research before purchasing it and am very confident with the purchase and how it will look in the room. But seeing yours just makes me even more confident with that decision. I think carpet is the worst thing and can't wait to have this installed! Thanks so much for posting your review! Short, sweet and very informative!
You will feel SO GOOD to get rid of that carpet! Ours was probably decades old and a big bonus after completing this project was that the house instantly smelled better. Not to mention a major improvement in the aesthetic. Good luck! :)
He’s sad because he had to go to the bed today his face at 1:53 is killing me 💀
Thank You for your review.
We just did almost 500 sq. ft in 4 rooms of our house with this Style Selections wood laminate in the Tavern Oak as well. We used the Pergo premium underlayment / moisture barrier. At the end of this project, this flooring looks pretty darn good. I won't know about residential and pet durability for a while yet.
I do have some Pros and Cons about the product after spending some time installing it. Though not a professional, I can and do read the product instructions and I have some construction experience as well as a table saw and mitre saw that really help with this kind of project. We also installed this on our small town bar music stage during COVID. Once we reopened, some damage was sustained by the setup and teardown of multiple bands worth of equipment over 8 months.
Pros;
1. Our finished install does look great.
2. The surface seems very durable withstanding sliding small tools around on it, rubber hammer, nylon step hammer blocks, tape measure, etc. without damage during install.
3. Price point. By far the least expensive wood laminate we could find available anywhere. Don't forget though, you have to buy underlayment padding with this type of floor. Some better than others but and added expense changing that 0.99 per sq ft.
Cons;
1. There are 5 patterns for the wood pictures laminated on each plank, a box has 8 planks in it. out of our initial 20 boxes, we had 2 certain patterns repeat more than any of the rest by 2 or more to 1.
2. The warping on the side joints the reviewer mentioned was not minor by any means and occurred most often in one pattern. These couldn't be "Hammered in place" using the correct tools, with other patterns without damage. Oddly enough the warped planks fit perfectly with their pattern / warp partners from the same box. Same pattern side by side is not desirable.
3. When the install method in the instructions was followed, most of the end joints were acceptable unless warped planks cut shorter to minimize the warp effects of the side joints were involved. Then the warp end wouldn't join properly with a straight plank, leaving a crooked end joint on their factory edges.
4. The locking grooves and tongues are QUITE FRAGILE and can be damaged when assembling/jockeying into place, leaving their own debris in the joints causing further fitment issues.
5. Some planks in 3 later purchased boxes had the same 5 patterns but some were spun 180 degrees on the plank to the initial boxes. Confusing after 20 boxes one way.
6. Planks already installed and found to require removal, for whatever reason, will likely be damaged, splitting the butt end on disengagement rendering that plank unusable except in applications where you would cut the butt end off like against a wall at a shorter length.
7. Finish of laminate on some edges can be poor and show up glaringly with the sun streaming in on them as you walk up to them, even after cleaning. This may cause the need to remove one and swap it out for a more desirable plank. In 75% of the cases this will split the butt end of one or more planks causing more waste.
I have been using the term "warped" but in reality there is a manufacturing issue with these planks that negatively effects the squareness of the joints of certain pattern planks consistently. We started calling them "Wonky", swapping them quickly for a different one with perfect fit results. these Wonky planks will not bend the required 1/8 inch in the sideways direction no matter how hard you hit them.
All in all, If you don't mind a big amount of waste per box via the wonky edges. Being on the floor installing, only to find out one of these wonky planks is in your hand. The fragile joints in general. The easily split in disassembly butt ends. Then this my be a good product for you. It does look good when done right.
I will not buy this product again nor will I recommend it to anyone because, the waste factor pattern inequity and wonky joints is just ridiculous and frustrating.
Something important with this type of flooring, especially if you have pets - Do not let it get wet! If water gets in the seams they will swell and be ruined. Preventative for this is either rubbing on a good coat of Johnson's Wax, or brushing on light coats of satin polyurethane. Again considering the joints so not too much poly at once. But the wax is a good way to keep moisture out.
This is what I was looking for because the guy in the store was so against me using polyurethane, lol. I'll look up the wax stuff. First timer here. Thanks
@@josen4real5When I installed my first laminate floor in my kitchen twenty years ago, Armstrong recommended using a white glue on the joints. The bottle had a nozzle that dispensed a 1/16" bead of glue and most of the glue would get squeezed out when the boards were clicked together, the excess would be wiped off with a damp cloth. If you wipe off spills within a few minutes there should be no problems. After twenty years and a leaky dishwater and ice maker, one seam swelled slightly.
I have a similar layout as you with the identical baseboard heaters 😩. I 🙏🏿 pray mine comes out as good as yours. I have had some gaps and some boards not fully aligned.
Thank you for the review!
Love the video new SUBBIE I want to do vinyl sheet on concrete whts a good adhesive thanks in advance
Hi! So glad to see you have a dog... I think your review/opinion will be INCREDIBLY helpful. We are torn between LifeProof LVP and Style Selections LVP. The LifeProof one is 22 mil wear layer and is thicker at 7mm but won't get here for a few months. The Style Selections one is 12 mil wear layer and is 5mm thick, but we can get started tomorrow!
With your dog, has your flooring held up well? Any tips, issues, food for thought? Appreciate your thoughts.
Hi Khristina! We moved out of this house a year and a half ago so I unfortunately can’t speak to the current state of the floors. However when we moved out they were still in good shape with almost no signs of wear. Honestly the dogs did not seem to affect the floors whatsoever, if that’s your main concern I think you will be happy with them. They were way more resistant to wear than the actual wood floors our new house has. In fact we are looking to switch to laminate again in this house when budget allows! Good luck!
Oct 2022
Lowes still offer .89 price
Florian oak laminate
Handle wood with water? Still recommend?
Stay far away from this product in high humidity areas. I installed owner bought material in his guest house and main house on the Bay in Florida. Humidity caused it to swell after 6 months and homeowner wasn't keeping consistent room temperature. Turned thermostat off when not in use. If the material is under $1.00 SF you better believe it's not quality. You get what you pay for.
Now that's it's been a while, do you still like it?
Yes! We have two dogs now and they tear through the house on it and it doesn't show any scratches or wear. I've been really happy with how well it's held up.
@@cabanastateofmind did you coat with with anything & how do you clean it?
Tammy gal
Hello how do u clean your floor , I know u cant use a mop or swifer ??
You most certainly can use a swiffer. Do not saturate your floor that's all.
YOU LIED TO ME.! I bought this flooring because you recommend it. I pulled my hair out throughout this whole project. Because it is a floating floor, it is constantly moving. Making it very hard to line it up. I find it hard to believe you did your job yourself. I"d bet your husband did it. I have been a carpenter my whole life (I am 69yrs old) and this is the most I've been challenged in a long long time. It looks great but I doubt it will last long.
Sorry if I sound sexest but I know a "Man's Job" when I see one.
Lol. It must have also been my husband who replaced our air conditioner compressor, installed our bathtub, built our barn door, tiled our fireplace, etc. etc. The idea of any of these things being solely a “mans job” is laughable. Sorry your floor gave you a challenge. Next time you should hire me!
@@cabanastateofmind that guy has me cracking up 🤣. Good work!
Thank you :)
Those spacers in the install kit keep the floor from moving around. Laying the first row is hardest thing even for me as a man when the wall isn't straight and square. There are many excellent videos here on UA-cam that even a know-it-all like me learns something new.