Installing Laminate Flooring?

We have had "Pergo" type laminate flooring in our house for several years. My recommendation would be to buy an extra box for "repairs" and avoid using it in areas that may get wet. While technically you can replace a section of damaged laminate, the "colors" change frequently so when you do need to make a repair, chances are they won't have the exact type that you used.

The laminate looks great in the dining area and entry but has buckled around the toilet in the bathrooms due to a couple little boys with poor aim (gross) and we've had to be very careful around the showers.

In the kitchen, we had a hose go out in our fridge that created a small leak and damaged the floor beyond repair (the top layer of the laminate buckled).

Since we used laminate in the entire level of the house and couldn't find a match we ended up tiling our kitchen rather than having a different type of laminate in the middle (A friend that had a similar problem due to a dog accident smack in the middle of their living room and is stuck keeping it covered with a rug).

If I were to do it again, I'd have saved up and used real tile instead in the kitchen and bathrooms.

If you do the job yourself, make sure to follow the installation instructions and leave the recommended space near the walls for expansion and contraction. We bought a small, second house and the contractor that did the updating on it left no space along either the sides of the boards or the ends and we had a lot of buckling. Portions of the flooring had to be taken up and reinstalled.

We also put down the "T" strips in doorways to resolve this problem.

Additionally, I also agree with Stephanie, do not use laminate flooring in any room that can get wet. Some manufacturers say it is okay to install this type of flooring in kitchens, but the salesperson at a local big box store strongly recommended against using it there.

I have this type flooring in my home; it was here when I bought it. Only thing I can tell you is I'd rather have carpet. The floor is beautiful but shows everything. I could get by with vacuuming once a week when I had carpet but every day I've having to sweep.

Seems every time a door is opened or someone walks in there is something else to get up. I'm a senior living with a short haired dog that always goes outside to do his thing.