I was browsing through Hope Depot's website today looking for some stone for my kitchen and foyer.... came across "stone laminate." Never knew this existed. Anyone have this? Look/feel good as stone or cheap looking? Just curious since I've never seen this in person.

Here is a sample of what I'm talking about:

 

my aunt had that in her entryway, it's not bad. When you get up close you can tell it's not real ( but you have to be really close ). From standing/sitting distance you really can't tell.

It definitely doesn't feel like real stone though.
IMO, pros are
-it doesn't get real cold ( great for winter time )
-it isn't as porous as real stone ( easier clean up )
-it has a better feeling when walking on it

cons are
-it isn't real, and gets damaged a little easier, not much, but a little.
-the pattern is random, but not enough. If you don't choose the right color it can look a little fake.

Not a bad choice if you don't want to spend major $$$$$ on stone.

 

In our bathrooms, we have vinyl flooring that has the stone look. The only times you can't tell that it's not real stone is if you walk on it and up close. Since the bathroom area are small and segmented, you can't discern the repeating pattern either.

 

I probably won't go this route since I will be covering a large area. Instead, I really like pattern travertine tile... something like this:

 

That looks pretty good.

 

We had travertine with an inlay in our last house and we loved it. We had it in our foyer...

 

it's crap

 

Really? Care to explain a bit more?

 

It can be quite crappy under certain lighting conditions IMO.

 

vinyl, linolium, laminate etc... are all the cheapest most entry level hard surfaces you can put in a home. If you're going to upgrade or remodel you might as well increase the value of your home and go with real tile or natural stone.


I'm not bagging on you, bro. My utility room and 2 of the bathrooms in my house are linolium floors. :\

 

I like that travertine tile I posted above. Can you seal it with something with less shine, so it looks less glossy?

 

yup. they make all different kinds of sealers. It's very important with travertine to keep it sealed very well. every 6 months is what's recommended.

although I doubt my parents foyer has been sealed in years and it still looks good.

My whole master bathroom is 18" travertine including the shower. That's something I'm definately going to have to keep sealed well.

 

this is the kitchen of my previous home that I have listed for sale right now. My friend and I did the floors and counters. the floor is all 18" medium travertine with custom random circular inlays (yes he cut all of that shit on the wet saw) we also did a custom travertine inlay on the island and matching circular details on the counter backsplash. The counter is porcelain ceramic tile. we also undermounted the original cheapo sink. it came out pretty good though.

 

^ That's some nice work there!

 

No prob, I was only curious about the reasoning behind your comment. I wanted a natural stone in both the bathrooms but my wife thought that it would make it too cold in the morning. And she's right too.

 

Wow, nice job. The only thing I'd ever change would be the appliances. Stainless FTW!

 

this is the kitchen in the new house -



stainless is nice but it's a PITA to clean.

 

saw the stone laminate in person. Did not like it at all....

 

I think it's a matter of how you use it. It wouldn't have worked in such a huge space anyway. Hardwood or natural stone are the ideal choice.

 

Yes, but it's the bling bling of the kitchen.