Glossy Laminated Wooden Floor ???

Question

After finishing working on Carpet, I'm thinking of doing Wooden flooring for the couple of rooms downstairs.Now, there's a step between room (around as high as the stair's step is).

Rather than choosing from normal wood, I'm hoping to do Glossy wooden floor, perhaps it's called "laminated flooring" (do correct me if I'm wrong).

I wonder if I should really go with this glossy laminated wooden flooring, since I've ONLY seen this at just one of my friend's place, but other than that, I always see the wooden floor where people are using just a normal wood.

I personally liked this glossy laminated wooden flooring more than any other I've ever seen. Its surface is not slippery as well, which I thought it would be. However, I'm not too sure about the scratches OR whether it LOOKS good but may not be durable, etc. or its quality, especially, when compared to normal wooden floor.

Now the question is that other than the B&Q itself, which other place I could shop for this, either online OR in shop within Leicestershire. I’ve a guy who could provide me with the measurement & then fit the flooring for me & in that case, I only need to buy the material itself. This friend of mine bought his wooden floor material from http://www.elesgo.info. Is there any other place I could shop around, as well ???

Is it more affordable to have wooden floor material from somewhere else (flooring, beading, etc.) & have it installed by someone else (as I’m thinking to do) OR shall I get BOTH done from the same place.

Lastly, right now, I’ve a white skirting & am thinking to keep it that way & have the room wooden floor with beading, so I’ll have white skirting & beading as well. Is that sensible thing to do ???

Answer 1

We chose a solid wood floor with quite a gloss finish. With real wood you can sand it down in future and revarnish whereas most laminates you can't. (Some 'engineered wood ' laminates you can) BUT real wood definitely marks and scratches wheras a really good laminate is more resistant in the short term. Our fitter recommended the click-fit stuff but that was after we had chosen our floor? You need a flat surface to fit either on which meant we had to have plywood put down first. White skirting with white beading looks good, ie it looks 'normal'. Beading that matches floor doesn't in my opinion.

You must leave gaps around the edges for expansion etc and if you aren't an expert I would pay a fitter and I also wish we had got advice from the fitter before we bought from the store.

Answer 2

Be careful, a friend has had nothing but misery from her laminate floors. First the installation, which was done by the store she purchased the laminate from was terrible. Her children managed to scratch it the first week it was installed, she fell on it and broke her wrist and it looks like a picture of wood. It runs at least $6.00 a S.F. which is not cheap. Ceramic tile or natural stone is a better bet.

Answer 3

It does look good you're right, however it is meant as a cheap immitation to the real thing - I have found that furniture scratches it, and stiletto heals leave little round dents, cat claws also leave little marks, and it is slippery when wet, or if you are only wearing socks. Dust and fluff collect in balls in the corners and depending on your hoover, this too may mark the floor.
Now that you are better informed as to the impracticalities, make a wise choice as t whether it is what you are after. Good luck with the rest of your decorating.

Answer 4

Shaw makes a laminate that is just as tough as a kitchen work surface (the same process). I just had 400 sf installed and I love it. It is really slick though. My dog is a Riot trying to get traction on it.. LOL. Although a homeowner can easily install it, I have 2 bad knees so I paid to have it done ~ $1900. Worth every penny!!

Answer 5

I am a carpenter with 30 years experience and 3yrs ago i installed it in my home and i no longer live there when it gets wet it buckles it scratches and is slippery. I highly recommend getting pre-finished wood.

Good luck
Moskie257

Answer 6

ive got it in my bedroom but it would be better in a kitchen, lounge etc.

it is very durable and i got it from homebase.
it also looks good and just snaps together without the need for wood glue. its easy to put up

if stains get on it, for example pen, they just wipe off immediately

id recommend it 4 your 2 downstairs rooms hope this helps

Answer 7

I love the stuff- it clean up easier then carpet (which holds so much dirt and pollen) and hold up bettern then hardwood- we got it for .79 a square foot online and they had even cheaper stuff for .68 a sqaure foot- cheapest I could find. Lowes want's $2.00 sqaure foot for their brand.
www.aaadistributor.com they are also on ebay.