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

Another vote for really good laminate here. We had real wood put down in our old house and while it was gorgeous, it was more prone to changes in temperature (hall opened directly to outside) and would sometimes appear to pull apart. Also, as others have said, marked easily. My particular favourite was a 5 year old commandeering a wheelybug and adding a 4m scratch across the floor.

When we moved here we just had to take up the cream hall carpet (still haven't work out why the previous owners chose it and how the hell they kept it pristine - we'd destroyed it within weeks). Anyway, we went for Mansion House laminate. Everyone assumes it's wood (actually looks uncannily similar in colour, pattern etc. to our old oak) but it comes with a 25 yr guarantee, wipes clean, is as happy to be hoovered as swept etc etc.

When we paid out for the real wood I don't think it was fitted particularly well so with the laminate we spent some of what we saved on he flooring and paid for really good fitting (it's a really awkwardly shaped area with lots of doors of it, stairs etc.) and I really think that makes a big difference too.

Really wish we had never been talked into put down solid wood floors. Ours move a lot. Gaps open up underneath our table and quickly fill with crumbs and goo. At other times we've had it lift up. It was not laid properly but I would never have another one. Engineered flooring every time. The one we considered could be sanded back too.

sorry to high-jack the thread but im looking for wooden floor that i can paint in a darkish brown colour... what would be best? does anyone know?
i dont want real wood with 3 little boys

i want something that looks already worn out/scratch but in a nice way.

atm we have oak flooring in some rooms in relatively good condition (just bought the flat) and the rest of the flat is either vile orange vinyl or REALLY old and stained grey carpets.
im wondering if we could sand the oak floors and paint it?
if i want to do a patch test, what kind of sanding paper do i need? and what kind of paint?

thanks!!!!

Our bamboo gets mopped and stuff poured on it.
It's glued to the substrate so does not even flex where the underfloor switches from concrete to wood
and on muddy days it takes a pasting (we are a hiking boos ON house - and then scrubs up just fine.
Not posh, but smartly welcoming.

I want bamboo. I want it now.

In case people are still comparing flooring, wood flooring IS nice but there are times when laminates are preferred (in wet areas) and you can seal the click-joins with PVA glue for extra water-resistence (but you'll not be able to take the floor apart piece by piece afterwards)!

B&Q has a range of laminates that are excellent and Schriber at Homebase also have laminates that are sculptured along the lines of the printed grain and even knots with some of the more expensive laminates. There is also one Richmond Oak at Homebase that feels like roughly finished wood without costing the earth but has the benefits of harder wearing surfaces. Obviously, don't go looking at the budget section!

Most of the wood that is oiled requires re-oiling every 6-12 months, laquered finished are as tough as plastic but has the same texture as laquered laminates which can be as expensive as their wood counter-parts. Engineered wood is the most expensive as it offers the best of both worlds, especially for fitting in kitchens and conservatories.

The bottom line is deciding where the floooring is going (wetter means weather-proofed laminate or engineered and bamboos), convenience if you want can be bothered to maintain a wood floor even if it's only once a year (will you actually do it), and the desired finish if you want the oiled wood or unfinished wood style of flooring, you'll have to go with the real thing or a high quality laminate. For laquered floors, either can be suitable depending on the pattern or the feel on your feet - which eliminates real wood if you want underfloor heating (although some engineered wood if okay).

We wanted real wood, but settled on high quality laminates in the bedrooms as maintenance and allergies was an issue especially as it was going into the kids rooms, and engineered wood for the conservatory as we wanted a faded look that could be refinished and oiled.