recommendations on flooring

So, we're getting a decent return check with our taxes and depending on costs, we want to replace our floors. Now, here is the dilema and I really need advice & tips

FYI, we're in a condo on a slab so we cannot get hardwood floors:

1. our condo is carpet throughout (except kitchen & bath). We aren't ready to redo our kitchen so is it bad to do the floors anyway?

2. our kitchen is an alley style which leads out to the dining room/living room. Right now carpet is one continous setup through the LR/DR & bedrooms.

3. I want to keep carpet in the bedrooms. Should I keep carpet in the LR & hallway too and do pergo/tile in the dining room/foyer area and possibly kitchen?

4. for a dining room and/or living room, would you do tile or laminate wood?

Cost is an issue so trying to figure how to do this. Condo pics in album if that helps with room setups.

Thanks!

Message edited 2/15/2011 1:43:51 PM.

Re: recommendations on flooring

because of the wear and tear and possible stains, i would put the wood in the dining room with an area rug. my personal preference is to have tile only in bathrooms and kitchen. high traffic areas i feel are best to have the wood or pergo or whatever you are planning to do since it holds up longer in the long run.
good luck!!

Re: recommendations on flooring

In addition to doing laminate on a concrete slab, you can do engineered hardwood, which is a wood product.
Engineered hardwood combines the benefits of laminate with the beauty of real wood.

I did not look at the pictures, but I personally would do laminate or engineered HW in the DR, LR, Kitchen and hallway and leave the BR carpeted.

If you have any questions about Hardwood, engineered HW or laminate, please let me know. DH and I both work for a flooring retailer and would be more than happy to help you out.

Re: recommendations on flooring

Bruces engineered hardwood. It's beautiful and can be used on a slab. I prefer hallways and kitchen tile.

Message edited 2/16/2011 6:06:42 AM.

Re: recommendations on flooring

The only advice I have is to do Laminate instead of tile. The grout gets so dirty and it's hard to clean.

We have laminate in our kitchen and I'm very happy with it.