"Installed some in my living room about five years ago, and it's held up surprisingly well—even with humidity swings and a dog running around."
That's reassuring to hear since I'm considering engineered hardwood myself. Did you find the click-lock type easier, or did you go with glue-down? I'm handy-ish but definitely not a flooring expert...
I went with click-lock myself, mainly because I was in the same boat as you—handy enough, but definitely no flooring pro. Honestly, it was pretty straightforward once I got the hang of it. The first couple of rows took me forever (and a few choice words under my breath), but after that, it moved along quickly. I did help a buddy install glue-down once, and while it turned out nice, the mess and hassle of dealing with adhesive wasn't my favorite experience.
One tip if you go with click-lock: invest in decent knee pads and a good tapping block. Trust me, your knees will thank you later...
Speaking of trimming down expenses, are you planning to buy from a flooring specialty store or checking out discount places or surplus warehouses? I found some great deals at a local clearance outlet—saved me quite a bit without sacrificing quality. Curious if anyone else has had luck going that route.
I went the discount warehouse route myself and honestly, zero regrets. At first, I was skeptical—figured there had to be a catch somewhere—but after checking out a few places, I found some really solid flooring at a fraction of the specialty store prices. Sure, you might have to dig through some less-than-ideal options or deal with limited stock, but if you're flexible on style or color, it's totally worth it.
Also, seconding the knee pads advice. I thought I'd tough it out without them...big mistake. My knees were screaming by day two. And yeah, click-lock is definitely the way to go if you're DIY-ing it. Glue-down looks great when done right, but man, that adhesive gets everywhere. Still finding random sticky spots months later.
One thing I'd add—don't skimp too much on underlayment. Saving money is great, but decent underlayment makes a noticeable difference in comfort and noise reduction. Learned that one the hard way at my old place.
Totally agree on the underlayment point—it's one of those things people overlook because it's not visible, but trust me, your feet (and ears) will thank you later. I've seen clients try to cut corners there, and it always comes back to bite them.
Discount warehouses can be great, but I'd add a small caution: always double-check the batch numbers if you're buying flooring. Had a client once who grabbed boxes from two different batches without realizing it...looked identical in-store, but once installed, the slight color difference drove her nuts. Ended up costing more to fix than she saved initially.
And yeah, glue-down flooring is a nightmare for DIY. Click-lock is definitely the smarter choice if you're tackling it yourself. Plus, if you mess up a plank or two (and you probably will), it's way easier to fix.
Also, knee pads are non-negotiable. Seriously, don't even think about skipping them unless you enjoy hobbling around like you're 90 for a week afterward...speaking from experience here.
Good points overall, but I'd argue that glue-down flooring isn't always a DIY disaster. Sure, click-lock is easier, but glue-down can actually last longer and feel more solid underfoot if done right. I've seen some first-timers pull it off pretty well with patience and proper prep. Also, from a green building perspective, glue-down options often pair better with eco-friendly adhesives, reducing VOCs and indoor air pollution. Just something else to consider...
