Anyone have experience of engineered wood flooring?

[PetiteMum]

I've been researching different types of flooring and it seems this is better/more hardwearing than wood flooring. Is this true? Thinking of using it downstairs for all rooms and hallway.

Also toying with the idea of using carpet for lounge only as have a crawler-soon-to-be-toddler.... or would wood with rugs be better?

[frankie3]

I would definitely chose wood over carpet for a toddler - you don't have to worry about spillages or muddy footprints, it all wipes off. A rug in the lounge is good for when they want to sit on the floor to play or watch TV.

We have engineered wood floor on our downstairs abd it is so practical.

[Fiddledee]

how badly does it scratch?

[frankie3]

We have got the oiled finish which does not scratch unless you move heavy furniture over it. I think the lacquered finish shows scratches more.

[greenlotus]

We went for wood floor instead of carpet, but we went for a soft wood (Admonter oiled larch) which has dented quite noticeably in the most walked-on/played on areas. Eventually we will get it sanded. Would probably be fine with a hardwood like oak or beech. Minor scratches do polish out with a special polish/cleaner they give you.

In terms of the children, the crawling/falling stage is very short. The stage of mud, felt tip pens, paint, play-dough, puddles, spills, sick, yoghurt etc lasts about 5 years and still counting: I look at my poor suffering rug and count myself lucky it's not a fitted carpet taking that battering.

[kbaby]

Hi we've had engineered and real. The real woof was a disaster and raised up from the floor creating a huge bow through the house, we had to pull it up and decided to use engineered instead as its more stable.
We've used it through all of our downstairs and have a rig in the living room. I think we have the lacquered one. It has scratched where I dragged some furniture and it has some dents from ds dropping heavy toys but to be honest it is so practical I think its the best thing to have until the kids are older.

I'm esp thankful when they projectile vomit or tip drinks that I'm not scrubbing carpet for hrs.

[Honneybunny]

We have kahrs engineered (oak) wood flooring, the lacquered one. It is great! Beautiful, and easy to lay as well. It has some scratches here and there, but we've had it for 7 years and have two boisterous boys (5 and 7). You can get it in varying thickness, and the thicker ones you could sand down and lacquer again if damaged too much.

[figcake]

~We have sane as Honney - has the odd scratch though def no warping as per laminate. Much easier to install than conventional wood, can be sanded down twice in it's lifetime. Kahrs is top end of budget - B&Q do a cheaper product though it is much thinner and grooves are a lot narrower. Once installed, you would get a similar look to Kahrs though not as hardwearing and prob needs to be replaced sooner

[PetiteMum]

Thanks everyone- I looked at some of the Kahrs online- it looks gorgeous! But then stumbled across a minefield of underlay option!! Does the soundproofing stuff actually work?

The other thing that gives me cold feet about getting wood in the lounge- is literally getting cold feet (no pun intended of course)

[figcake]

we bought the underlay recommended for use with Kahrs. It is gold on one side and soft, beige on the other - our floors are never cold

[kbaby]

We have soundproof underlay too. We bought the expensive gold one. Our floors aren't warm like carpet but then not cold like tiles either. In the living room the rug keeps our feet warm. I do now always wear slippers though:) the dc don't seem to notice it

[TaffetasWnakyCoatheadJumpsuit]

We have Bausen engineered oiled and natural waxed oak all of downstairs. Love it, very practical and looks gorgeous - we chose Bausen as they had the widest planks. We have underfloor heating underneath most of it - its wonderful. The cat finds all the hotspots, naturally

[bacon]

I wanted sold wide panels but as the farmhouse has some damp issues and underfloor heating it was not an option. I would of loved reclaimed wide and worn stripes but had to accept engineered. There are variations and purchased ours from the local wood merchant unfinished however, I am extremely disappointed with the colour finish, far too blonde. I wished I'd paid more for a burnt and worn finish from a company called broadoak.

The depth of the timber veneer varies so that would effect the softness. I would buy the best quality over price, watch the length pieces - you want as long as possible.

[basana]

I've got element 7 - absolutely fantastic. with wood floor, you really get what you pay for - it's about 7-8 years old now and except for the really sunny patches (slight fade) it looks as new. wide planking is much better too.
I would definitely go for wood + rug in the living room - your baby will not be crawling for long, and you need to install at at once to get the proper continuity between the rooms.

[69redshoes]

Which is better kahrs Oak Milano or Weimar ? Unsure which look to go for in large 1920's house

[myron]

I have this engineered oak. It is fairly £££ and I ensured there was consisitency by having the planks cherry picked by my fitter. (You can't do this on sale or return if you just bought it direct from the internet!) As it was, my fitter rejected approximately 10% of the planks which amounted to 7 boxes which Kersaint Cobbs accepted since he does a lot of business with them and I only have to pay for 1 extra box. I definitely got much better customer service this way by paying to have it supplied/fitted by the same person (who incidentally is doing all my carpets too). To be fair, it's just under 100 sqm - I don't think that they would be as accommodating on say 30sqm.

[ILikeToMowIt]

69redshoes ( what happened with the 70th?): we have just had Kahrs Hampshire installed in our lounge. It is in a matt lacquer like the Weimar, but not bevelled. Personally I like the matt lacquer better: it looks more natural than satin, a bit like it is oiled, but without the need to treat yearly (oiled floors need oiling regularly). We installed a non-bevelled floor, as I was a little worried that dust would settle in the grooves of a bevelled floor. We are very happy with our floor. Our fitter did not cherry pick packs but rather mixed different packs across the floor.

[angelandken]

Hi. I am also looking a element 7 wood flooring. Does anyone ever have it ?? Will you let me know if it's really good ???