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Original poster

Flooring help. Getting desperate!!!

106 replies

PollyPolo · 01/04/2021 17:10

Hi,

I have had an extension built, so we have a large kitchen diner area. All great but I am really struggling with flooring.

With two young children, and dogs it needs to be robust and I am after a wood look.

I have looked at Amtico, I have samples coming out of my ears, it looks great in some light but when the sun hits it, it looks like shiny plastic.

I'm now at a loss. I have been advised against engineered wood as it will just get ruined.

Does anyone know of a product that looks as close to wood as possible, but without the shine?

Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
bestbefore · 01/04/2021 17:12

Porcelain tiles that look like wood?

bestbefore · 01/04/2021 17:12

www.porcelainsuperstore.co.uk/wood-effect.html

theonlywayisup33 · 01/04/2021 17:13

We have engineered wood. It looks great - 2 young kids running around all over it.
No shine whatsoever.

Mumtofourandnomore · 01/04/2021 17:27

We have Amtico but it is a textured one, it feels kind of grainy rather than being smooth - have you looked at that ? It is really hard wearing, I can definitely recommend it.

Original poster
PollyPolo · 01/04/2021 17:28

@theonlywayisup33

We have engineered wood. It looks great - 2 young kids running around all over it. No shine whatsoever.
Thanks, I guess I am more worried about the dogs. We had wood flooring before and it ruined by them. I guess it was soft wood, so probably wasn't a great idea, maybe a hard wood would be more robust.
OP posts:
Original poster
PollyPolo · 01/04/2021 17:30

@Mumtofourandnomore

We have Amtico but it is a textured one, it feels kind of grainy rather than being smooth - have you looked at that ? It is really hard wearing, I can definitely recommend it.
Thanks, yes, it was either the Form or Signature collection, it has a grain but when the sun light hits it then it looks like plastic. Maybe it depends on the colour or range from Amtico.
OP posts:
SollaSollew · 01/04/2021 17:46

We have a laminate which is really robust. It’s from a brand called Elka who also make Quick Step. It was pretty reasonably priced too

Flooring help. Getting desperate!!!
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 01/04/2021 18:18

Quickstep Impressive laminate. Has a matt texture and looks/feels incredibly close to real wood, seems hardwearing and is water resistant/proof (I have it everywhere including hall, kitchen, utility and bathrooms).

BananaPie · 01/04/2021 20:51

Strand woven bamboo is supposed to be good. Eco friendly and more durable than engineered wood

Sunflowergirl1 · 02/04/2021 08:01

Costco Golden Select is excellent. Really reasonable but you have to order the trims direct from the supplier which is fine. Is cheaper to buy in store though

TaleOfTheContinents · 02/04/2021 09:55

I agree with @IamnotwhouthinkIam - we were set on getting engineered wood and have decided to go with Quickstep laminate instead. We couldn't tell the difference between some of their ranges and engineered wood samples. Their Majestic and Largo ranges in particular are really great if you're going for plank rather than herringbone because they're wider and longer than average so look very 'wood-like'.

Mosaic123 · 02/04/2021 10:42

I've got Polyflor Expona. LVT very matt and very hard wearing. It's commercial grade used in restaurants and shops.

LakieLady · 02/04/2021 11:51

@SollaSollew

We have a laminate which is really robust. It’s from a brand called Elka who also make Quick Step. It was pretty reasonably priced too
My builder BIL uses Quick Step laminate on all his refurbs and they have it in their own house, in the kitchen, utility, hallway and family room.

They also have a labrador, and a teen DD who wears very high heels.

It's been down over a year and looks as good as new, and I honestly thought it was real wood.

Remmy123 · 02/04/2021 13:23

I was the same as you - in the end I went with engineered wood and so glad I did!! (3 kids)

Muststopeating · 02/04/2021 14:36

I had exactly the same dilemma as you, big extension, same flooring all through, not a fan of LVT, love engineered wood.

Think we're probably going to go Quickstep Laminate Impressive... but I've got a while to think about it.

Below is a thread I started with lots of engineered wood feedback and pics of samples that I 'stress tested'. Would recommend going to a quickstep installer so you can see the bigger boards.

Would love to know what you choose in the end.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/4158712-Please-can-I-see-pictures-of-your-engineered-wood-floors-especially-the-scratches?msgid=104723527#104723527

JohnandMary · 02/04/2021 16:06

We’ve had Parador by Trendtime in Pecan for 12 years throughout the whole house. There are a couple of scratches but you’d need to know where to look. I’ve had people refuse to believe it’s laminate.

lightofthetrees · 02/04/2021 16:17

@johnandmary is that engineered wood? Just looked it up?

JohnandMary · 03/04/2021 00:21

I was told it was laminate. I went to the shop expecting to buy solid wood but preferred this and was told it was tougher as well as a lot cheaper.

Muststopeating · 03/04/2021 07:56

[quote lightofthetrees]@johnandmary is that engineered wood? Just looked it up?[/quote]
I looked it up too... they do Engineered Wood and Laminate. I have just ordered 4 samples of laminate. (I've already selected the engineered wood I'll have if I am brave enough).

Ismellphantoms · 03/04/2021 08:03

I've got bamboo flooring with a matte finish. It looks great.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 03/04/2021 08:37

Another vote for Quickstep. We are terrible at looking after things, and have had Quickstep in the dining room through the bangy, Wheely toddler years, plus pets. It's been down a decade and held up so well we're planning it for the whole downstairs.

My (one) mate who's properly in to high end house stuff mistook it for wood.

thatonehasalittlecar · 03/04/2021 08:53

We’ve got engineered wood, in a lacquered finish. It’s only been down a few months but the dogs aren’t damaging it at all, nor is the baby who likes to smash wooden toys into it. It looks amazing - and I’m with you, these fancy fake woods might be popular and well made, but they still look like plastic to me.

Catmummyof2 · 03/04/2021 08:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

NotQuiteUsual · 03/04/2021 08:58

Another vote for Elka laminate here. Had some put in our lounge last week and despite 3 children, a potty training toddler and a giant puppy it feels really robust.