Emily, I have noticed that when I help people redesign a kitchen in a open floor plan, they’ll generally go for having continuity. Customers will install laminate or hardwoods throughout the kitchen, dinning, & living rooms. Just as in previous posts.. I implore you that if laminate is chosen, to get a 3-in-1 pad, and decent laminate boards. Pergo offers in some of their lines a guarantee lock, that even if liquid is spilled on the floor and left pooling it will not penetrate the joint.
FYI-4-DIY.. Whether laminate or hardwood is going into the kitchen, raise the sub floor under the dishwasher to allow it to be pulled out in the event it needs to be replaced after the new floor is installed.

Thanks everyone for your tips. Regarding the HOA, ours does limit hardwood to ground floors which we are on, so fortunately we do have that option.

A follow up question if we do decide to go with laminate or hardwood - what are your thoughts on the kitchen? The living room, dining room, and kitchen are essentially one big room, but the kitchen currently has lino. Should we consider extending the flooring into the kitchen?

Mark,

Excellent point about checking with the HOA!

Hi, Emily!

What a GREAT question! I appreciate your researching the alternatives before spending money. Most buyers do not like laminate flooring. The coments I hear is that laminate flooring is no different than having linoleum. Carpet is a great choice and a suggestion is to spend extra money on the pad to make the carpett "feel" good to perspective buyers. If you can go the expense, wood flooring is another desirable feature that buyers are looking for. A combination of carpet and wood flooring is another option to consider. For more information, I recently wrote a blog article on this topic. Go to http://www.susanspondering.com to read more. To search for townhomes in your area, identifying the different features and their respective prices, go to http://www.susanpond.com. Call me if you would like to discuss further.

Susan Pond
Keller Williams
Phone: 970.532.4570

A good option you may want to consider is contacting an appraiser to help determine what is more acceptable within your market area, as far as improvements, and differences in overall contributed value of the improvement(s) options for a particular property type.

The value contributed overall by improvements and/or upgrades (including amenities and/or additions) varies by market areas and property types. In some instances, improvements can be considered an over-improvement within a subject's market area where others may be considered an under-improvement. Both of which can have a negative effect on the overall market value of the subject property.

Improvements/upgrades and such do not reflect in market value of a property dollar for dollar. Those that contribute the highest value are generally kitchens, baths, and roofing whereas flooring is more of personal taste or preferrance of a buyer. Market reaction and/or buyer preference of such improvements would be a greater indication as to which you should choose and the quality.

Thanks for clarifying. I would recommend keeping carpet in the bedrooms. Think about stepping out on to a cold floor in the morning! Regarding the laminate, I agree with David, be sure to use a high quality product. Good luck!

Given current market inventory in Parker condos without laminate flooring, the laminate would be seen by many buyers as a premium upgrade. This could all change in the next 2 years as the market shifts, but it looks like wood and laminate flooring is holding up as a long term flooring solution. One note of caution, please check with your HOA as some restrict use of non-carpet flooring due to noise issues.

Emily,
Costs will be similar grade for grade and the laminate will be easier to maintain. If you use a high quality product the laminate will maintain its appearance longer. One thing to consider when installing the laminate is to make sure you use the highest quality/ highest density underlayment available. The objection many people have with laminate flooring is the "hollow" sound it can have- a high quality/high density underlayment can make or break the application and even expensive flooring can sound bad and move if you cut corners on the underlayment.

I really dislike laminate unless you are going to spend the money to get the best kind. Walking around on laminate and hearing your footsteps echo makes the whole house feel cheap. The 'frieze' carpet is popular. If you aren't going to sell for 1 to 2 years, I would wait since there are always new products coming on the market. Just don't skimp and get the cheap, loud stuff that peels and separates.

We've got two options. We would definitely need to replace the carpet in the living room & dining room (they are connected) and the hallway. The two bedrooms wouldn't be as bad, but I think for continuity we would want to do those as well.

Sorry to answer your question with another question, what rooms are you thinking about?

Hi Emily,

I'd recommend a high-quality sharp-looking laminate. The costs are pretty similar to the carpet and the laminate will look great for years. Make the room POP!