Laminate flooring newbie

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I’d really like to lay oak flooring…but I just can’t afford it.

I’m realising that laminate may be the way forward….but I know nothing about it. I’m sure there must be things I must consider, but I don’t know what they are?

I have a room, converted from a garage, currently badly carpeted. It’s got a concrete floor (I think) which seams fairly flat? Approx 24m2. Adding 10% wastage that takes us to 27m2 approx.

Do I need underlay? Can I buy packs two at a time or is it like wallpaper where you have to buy all at once?

Are there good laminate brands?

Are some brands more durable?

Im not even sure what questions to ask given I know so little.

can someone help me adult?

You will need a plastic liner layer above the concrete to help stop damp and then a specific underlay above that, then the laminate on top.

If you buy from somewhere like B and Q, Wickes or a decent flooring shop, you can usually buy as much as you think you need, then take back any unopened excess within a specified time limit.

I tend to overbuy with the view of taking excess back (wallpaper, flooring etc) as it annoys me to have to go back for 1-2 packs when I am in the swing of nearly finishing it.

Dont forget you want beading/scotia to go around the skirting boards to tidy up any cuts, and cover up the gap (you need to leave about 5mm IIRC between the end of the board and the skirting to allow for expansion due to change in temperature).

A chop saw will be handy for cutting if you have one, or can borrow one.

There are plenty of YouTube videos showing how its done but its fairly straightforward. I did it in my house the first time, and did an "ok" job, which is my usual standard, but I hate DIY anyway and just want to get it done asap. I generally prefer to pay for a better job when I can.

If you can afford it, it might be worth asking about getting it properly fitted. It sounds like from your space it won't take any longer than a day.

If you can see a lot of the flooring ie it isn't covered by furniture you are best trying for this brand which we used in a 20sqm room. The issue with laminate is that there isn't much variation in the printed top layer and so you can see repeats easily. Most have around 7 plank varieties, this one is German and has 12 but my packs came with 13 varieties.

https://www.bestatflooring.co.uk/laminate-flooring/kronotex/amazone/

There have been some cutting edge developments with a real wood top but super thin so not engineered wood, still classed as a laminate but it is in its infancy. Lots of videos on youtube as mentioned above, start getting informed there.