laminate or solid wood?

[madmomma]

I'm puting flooring down in my hall + 2 living rooms, and basically I'm wondering whether to spend extra on solid wood or to go for laminate. I don't know whether I'll regret the extra expense, or regret cutting cost IYSWIM. Is all laminate pretty much created equal, or is some much better and classier than others. Have you gone for solid wood and are glad of it/disappointed? Please share

Solid wood is so, so, so much nicer.

If you can afford it, I'd definitely get it.

All laminate is not created equal though - some is really cheap and nasty and some is OK.

We have done laminate and are going for solid wood.

Ok that's confirmed what I thought, thanks. Any vague idea on price for 2 lge rooms and a hallway?

You could get what they call 'engineered wood' which I think is a really thin slice of genuine wood stuck on to erm something. Real wood flooring can be sanded down periodically - every ten years or so, to keep it tip top but engineered looks just as good in the relative short term and is far cheaper.

Engineered wood flooring is my choice. Laminate or expensive vinyl like Amtico or Karndean still looks plasticky imo although they are extremely practical. There is a wide range in quality and price as with most products. You need to decide firstly on your budget and then look around at your options. Doing it the other way round is dangerous because you inevitably choose the most expensive type ime. Go and visit some flooring showrooms with your floor dimensions. Remember to factor in the cost of underlay and extras like fitting.

Hmm it's really difficult to weight up short term vs long term. I've 2 babies, which obviously means spilled drinks, potty accidents etc, and I'm wondering whether to do laminate for now, then real wood when they're both potty trained. Initially I wanted carpet, but friends warned me it would look like shit after a year. But then high heels damage wood flooring, and I want to have parties. It's so confusing. Maybe I should have hardwood in the hall and carpets in the living rooms. Oh every time I think I've decided I change my mind.

I'm afraid babies/toddlers mean ride-ons = scratches/scuffs are inevitable. We weren't precious about the hallway (had wooden flooring in my previous house) but I intend to be the shoes off Nazi wrt to the wooden flooring in my open plan kitchen/dining/family room. I'm not keen on the thought of parties and stilettos on my precious new floor - anal moi?

Yeah, so if I were to go for laminate for a few years, how could I make it minimally tacky? Do you think it looks better dark? Or do I sack laminate and have cheapish carpet?

where from?

We have stripped floorboards in a few rooms, and have just put Quickstep laminate down in the hall. I'm actually amazed at how tough the laminate is, I've seen the DC do stuff to it that would definitely have scratched/dented the wood, and not a mark, I'm pretty impressed. And it doesn't look too bad, it's not shiny, looks reasonably wood-like if you don't get too close.

So for a nice, civilised, DINKY house I'd say wood, definitely, but for childproofing; laminate.

BAMBOO

We bought a brand new house that the builder had fitted with the cheapest laminate going. I estimated it would do me for a year while i lived with the house and worked out what I really needed where. 6 years on and that cheapo laminate is like new (bugger). I really want some oak that I've seen in Costco, but DH won't replace something that isn't worn out.

God yes... BAMBOO... seen that in costco too. I sooooo want it in my en suite.

We spent £££ on lovely solid wood, it's beautiful but scratched to buggery and as it's oil finish rather than lacquered, stains show up aswell.
I've only had it a year but given the choice again (now that we have a baby) I'd go for a decent laminate - some of them look really realistic and are so much more durable. I still think wood floors are lovely but in an area with lots of foot traffic and/or kids, it WILL get knackered.

Yes please Warren
What's the score with bamboo then? Is it hardwearing + does it take the piss cost-wise?

I loved the way the bamboo looked, but it was just too expensive to justify (for us!), have heard it wears well too though?

I think one of the charms of wood that it still looks nice once it gets battered and scratched. Or does that just say something about my low standards?

In your position, i would definitely choose wood/engineered wood (depending on budget) with cheap rugs. There are some really nice, low priced rugs out there (try Woven Ground or Ikea) and they are far cheaper and easier to clean and to change once they get knackered by toddlers.

In my last flat I ripped up the carpet and went for wooden floors throughout - in response to moth infestation, but just in time for potty training. 10 months of accidents later, I was so very glad to have wooden floors, I can't tell you. And when your kids draw all over your floor in indelible marker pen, you'll be very glad it's a £150 rug rather than a £1500 fitted carpet.

I haven't tried bamboo but am definitely going to be researching this option next time I do floors.

we have bamboo right through the downstairs except the two living rooms
and its in both the bathrooms
and we have bamboo worktops
its 4 years old
scratched and dented in places BUT because the pattern is almost random they do not show
and being 13mm thick same pattern all the way through
if it REALLY comes to the crunch we can have the whole lot sanded back and re sealed.
it cost us around £15 a square metre including fitting (bought on the internet)

I love it

talkin You sold me!

Does it work in the kitchen, TP? It's ok with getting wet?

Agree with boulevard.....we debated this question and the general consensus when asking joiners for a quote to lay the flooring for our downstairs living area was that wood or bamboo is easily scratched and marked with prams, bikes etc and you need to treat it regularly to keep it looking good. We ended up getting the Quickstep laminate costs between £18-25 sqm, it looks really nice not at all tacky and it comes with a 25yr guarantee

Expensive laminate-amtico and their cheaper range spacia good