I've been looking around these forums for a while since I found them earlier today and have been impressed with all of the knowledge available here. It's great that the pro's don't mind coming here and discussing this stuff, even with us DIY'rs. =]

Anyhow, my wife and I are expecting. The baby is due Oct 6th so we're starting to throw ideas around about what to do with the babys room. We want to put some hardwood floors in there. I've measured the room out and it's 10x12 with a small 4x2 closet. So I was figuring we'd need around 150sq ft to provide some extra. Let me know if that is incorrect. Our house has a crawlspace so we have plywood under the current carpet. We'll also be doing this ourselves, or.. attempting to. I've got friends that have done enough of it to offer help if needed.

On to the question - Is it possible to do this with a budget of say, $500? We looked at a local flooring shop and the sales guy offered some Shaw (Natural Walnut) enigneered flooring at cabin grade for $2 sq/ft. After coming home and researching it a bit it sounds like Shaw is somewhat frowned upon. I also researched what the grades meant and realized we may end up having to buy even more just to get the amount we need of usable material. Any suggestions on other brands to check out? Should we order online somewhere? Will we be able to get some decent quality flooring for that price?

As a sidenote - we will likely want to put some of whatever we choose in our bedroom later down the road. So I'd prefer it be something easy to get match or get more of later.

Thanks for your time. I look forward to hearing the responses.
Seth

The only thing I can say is, you will get what you pay for. Not too brand biased, as long as you like it.

So are you saying it is unrealistic for me to think I can get a decent quality floor in this room for the cost I've set?

If you had $500 to spend on it, what would you do? That number could flex a bit I suppose. We've jut obviously got a lot of expenses ahead of us with a new baby on the way so we're trying to keep it low (within reason). However, we certainly want to get the carpet out of the room to minimize allergy problems and things like that.

With such a small area like that, you should be able to find 1st quality flooring for not much more than 3/sq ft. If you eventually want to do other arears of your house, buying cheaper cabin grade stuff might end up costing you more in the long with with waste and finding good pieces.

You might not get a nice walnut or brazillian cherry for 3 bucks a sqare, but oak is readily available and plentiful in that price range.

Thank you for the information - that makes sense. I think we'll skip the Shaw cabin grade stuff and look elsewhere. I've began looking at Lumber Liquidators. What do you guys think of them and the products they offer? Are they any good?

Have you checked into Cork flooring. It's awesome stuff. If you like it let me know I'm only a couple of hours away from you and could hook you up with some that is in budget.

I think you'll find an overall dislike for that company and its products. Besides, their prices aren't really that remarkable. Have you looked at this site's products and pricing as well as other internet sites? Should be pretty competitive.

I'm not needing 250sq ft of anything at this time so this sites product may not be an option from what I've seen. I'll look elsewhere to see what I can find. You have any suggestions for other online vendors to go with or those to stay away from?

Floor Newb,

Did you read this, terms of use of this forum.



We don't recommend other online e-tailers nor any specific retailer. It is up to the individual to hunt down their best price with any of the online shopping links. We offer help in selecting flooring from what is sold here, and guidance in dealing with installations or problems with installations and related subjects. Some will relate their experiences with a specific bricks and mortar retailer but other online e-tailers are not allowed to be advertised here.

Sorry, my fault. Since he wasn't looking for the minimum amount required here, I put a link out there.

No, I didn't read that.

Thanks for your help, fortunately I saw the link before it was removed and will look at it later.

I appreciate the information you all have provided here thus far and I apologize if I broke some rules by asking for suggestions on a retailer that would meet the criteria of my current situation. Hopefully I'll find something suitable eventually.