Can't decide on carpet or wood flooring.

[Greenshadow]

We need to replace the existing (70s!) carpet in our living room.

It's quite a large l-shaped living/dining room and is also a through-way to another room so gets a lot of wear one way or another.

The sensible solution, what with children, cats, food etc would be a wood (engineer probably, laminate possibly) with rugs but somehow I just can't bring myself to abandon lovely, comfortable, warm carpets.

Please talk to me about your experiences of wood floors - are they cold? Do you regret installing it?

We've got parquet flooring which looks fab but is a bugger to clean. You have to hoover it then mop it and the minute you've finished there's a big dust ball! I'd go for carpet, have it deep cleaned professionally twice a year.

Thanks Folks.

That's something else I haven't even considered Snorkie - not even sure what we have under the current carpet - does wood have to go on concrete?

no you can lay wood over existing floorboards (chipboard or proper ones, but run the new planks at 90 degrees to the existing ones), or over concrete, but not for some reason over tiles. Whatever you lay it on must be level and if it's concrete it must dry (usually needs some sort of damp-proof membrane between the concrete and the wood).

cybbo - which floor did you get? I'm hopefully going up to Wickes today. Was it easy to lay?

Thanks

Thinking of installing Kahrs Oak Weimar a one strip throughout the downstairs of the house - this is a very large area.Had Kahrs Merbau a 3 strip down for 20 years and it was great . Unsure of going for a brushed matt effect now . Suggestion pleases. Would you recommend other makes

Place the large rug in your room. It is easy to clean. I have bought a rug it gives a warmth feeling. Rugs can be taken outside and cleaned when you need to.

This thread is 9 years old - I think OP will have made her decision by now

Sisal is ok but you can't clean it with water. It stinks if it gets damp.
I would go for wood if you have pets. If you get carpet get a good one in a neutral with a fleck. You might want to match it to the cats.