Kitchen Flooring Advice

[PastaandCheese]

Hoping for some advice about a new kitchen floor please.

We have had the kitchen extended and need to choose a new floor. We have Amtico Spacia that the old owners fitted in the original part. I wouldn't choose it again as it isn't toddler proof. We haven't been here long and already there are scratch marks from DD riding her wheely bug and dragging a chair.

Fair enough and all our fault as Amtico themselves say you need to look after it etc.

What would you go for given it is going to get a pounding from DD and her sibling who is due any day now? Something cheap that can be replaced often, something expensive but hard wearing or tiles?

Not totally sure on tiles as they can be so cold?

Kitchen is ivory wood with black granite worktop so not sure if a wooden floor would be right.

I think wood would look nice with those colours ... But I'm in a quandary about what to suggest ! If your children are likely to be riding wheelie bugs and later zooming around on skateboards and rollerblades then anything doesn't stand much chance- short of concrete ! So I think I'd say something like Rhino floor which is realisticly priced and soft for little knees - but probably strong enough to cope with a wheelie bug ?! Might be an idea to take wheelie bug and daughter into a flooring showroom to see what survives ! ( or ban wheelie bug inside :-( !)

Well quite oneplan that would be the other option but I'm as soft as butter with things like that. I'm not totally sure it wasn't the builders who scratched the floor but she is a wheely bug demon and the floor is going anyway.

Going to check out Rhino floors. It looks very reasonably priced so we could always replace it after the worst of the pre school bit.

I might get some wood samples but my heart says engineered wood and my head says laminate that you can afford to replace!

The good news is Amtico is laid on screed and builders levelled everything in new bit so fitting should be easy.

I've got this black slate effect laminate It's been down about 7 years and still looks like new

I go over it with a wet and dry hoover to clean which takes about 5 mins tops.

I would deffo have it again, it's been great.

Thanks furball I think we had similar in our conservatory in the last house and it was good. We laid it ourselves and would wish to avoid that this time as we are both occupied with DH's heavy work load and imminent new baby.

I guess I could find a handyman to lay it though?

Though I guess whatever you have someone else will have to lay it?

Absolutely. Just being lazy and thinking a flooring company will have their own fitters where B&Q don't!!

The best kitchen floor I've ever had, was in a house we extended -we put down underfloor heating (did it ourselves with a kit from B&Q) and large slate (quarry) tiles.
Only ever needed the heating on a tiny amount to stop it feeling cold underfoot (no other heating needed in the room) and it was soooooo practical and easy to clean!

Oh balls - we have chosen karndean. With a three year old thug and a newborn and a dog and a cat, am I going to regret it?? We went for that rather than limestone for ease of maintenance, warmth and softness. What should I have chosen

I would ask B & Q if they can arrange fitting

They did our whole kitchen, floor included, so it could be possible for just the floor?

Watching with interest as we are having similar discussions at the moment. I haven't got anything useful to add though, I'm afraid!

I'd like engineered oak (solid oak in our hallway has not fared well with two young dcs and three animals), but we're considering karndean too...

I think Karndean is similar to Amtico. I think you need to look after it to keep it looking it's best.

I knew mine was being replaced so haven't bought the special products you need or 'trained' DD not to drag things across it. I'm not sure what damage is DD and what is the builder.

That said I'm not really willing to pay Amtico prices again and think I might go for something much cheaper like the Rhino floor that I can replace if needs be.