wooden flooring solid, semi solid or laminate

stevoman

well folks. have been doing a lot of looking around at flooring for the new house and i decided on semi solid for downstairs and laminate for upstairs. that was until today.

I came across this new laminate stuff that about €18 per square yard. it looks the very same as solid and feels like it. the guy told me i would be as well to got for it as i will have a dog marching around the house and also my little girl on her walker flying about.

any advice would be appreciated.

Laminate flooring is grand. I wouldn't (personally) get a solid floor unless i had lots of money and nothing better to do with it. I have laminate, and have fitted many laminate, floors and never really have any issue with them. Provided the fitter has a fair idea what he's doing, you should be good to go (just make sure you leave them in the house for three or so days in their packs before putting them down. Otehrwise they'll swell in the warmth of the house and begin to 'bubble' up.

Bluefoam

I would choose solids, they will last better and scratches and wear add character and age...

Nothing worse than ageing laminate floors with wear - slight damage looks ****e and is irreparable.

Laminates are more suitable to bedrooms etc because they get less footfall. I recently used solids throughout the house at a very reasonable cost...

NickTellis

We went for semi-solid maple throughout the house as its a happy medium between plasticy laminates and high maintenance solid plus its easy enough for a novice to put down (which I was). Its also recommended over solid especially if you have underfloor heating. Laminates are more suited to low traffic/low visibility areas (utility rooms) and for ease of cleaning. Just my tuppence.

Calluna

I have been going through the timber floor saga for the last few months too! Have now decided on laminate in 4 rooms - study, 2 kids bedrooms and playroom. It looks fine - I got one with a slight ridge at joints and 180mm width boards, but am not living in house yet so see how it all pans out! It was only €10/sq m so what's the worst if I have to take it up in 5 years when kids are older. Neighbour put in solid and semi-solid and left it for ages to 'dry out' and had v. reputable installer - solid still buckled. Solid walnut in sitting room - be v careful with any dark wood cos if it chips it is really obvious. We had pine floors in bedroom at home growing up - lots of high heel marks...(the joys of 4 teenage daughters!) and while some might think it adds character - my mother banned high heels! I went to ikea, bought lots of rugs and think the laminate will be fine. Best of luck.

Bluefoam

Calluna wrote: »

be v careful with any dark wood cos if it chips it is really obvious.

I think you mean light wood stained dark - dark wood is still dark underneath

Glad you are happy with the floors, hope they wear well.