Would it be crazy to spend £££s

[Marrow]

on Amtico oak effect flooring when for not much more money I could get the genuine article? ( or at least engineered oak)

We have two children and a puppy who are not compatible with the cream living room carpet! I think Amtico will be the more practical option. I am also the type of person who will fret about scratches and dents in a lovely new floor so for my peace of mind I think Amtico is the way to go. However, it feels wrong to be spending money on something fake and not the real thing.

I have gone round and round in circles with this and need to place the order tomorrow. Any thoughts?

We have engineered, huge mistake, so wish went with real thing

Marrow - I have the same choice to make and am thinking engineered oak at the moment. I just can't convince myself that I definitely wouldn't regret going for the "fake" option - although no-one on here who's actually chosen Amtico seems to have any regrets at all :-)

SimplyTes - really? What's the problem with your engineered flooring? You've got me worried now!

It's a difficult choice Brumeye!

SimplyTess - I thought engineered was more resistant to damage than solid?

Engineered is the real thing. I think Tes means she wishes she had gone for solid.

My friend has some very good Amtico. It really does look like wood but ultimately you can tell that it isn't as there is not that wide range of colour variations that you get with real wood.

I went the engineered wood route. Prime oak. Colour variations from dark chocolate to very blond.

Dented it twice in the first month.

Dented it twice in the first month.

You see that's why ultimately I think I need to go for the fake stuff. I don't want to be on pins when the toddler decides to throw his cars on the floor or starts bashing the floor with the hammer from his tool set!

Don't think you're ready for real wood Marrow

I have good quality laminate throughout my house (in Australia). (Trend time by Parador in Pecan). I went to the shop expecting to buy wood but this looked better. Five years on, including 2 where we rented the house out, there are maybe 5 tiny marks that no-one other than me would even notice.

Sorry, can't do link from this phone but have a look at the comments about amtico on the moneysavingexpert website, it's v useful.

Decision made, amtico ordered and being fitted in a couple of weeks. Hope I have made the right decision!!

There was amtico in our bathroom, loo and cloakroom when we moved into our house. Had never heard of it! But it has been down for 12 or so years, and sill looks great. I have no idea of the price, so I can't comment on value for money, but the product is great.