saintscottofthenortham Posted 30 January, 2012 Share Posted 30 January, 2012 Anyone got, had, installed solid wood flooring? Know of a good place for it? Best deals? Gonna start off in the hallway, only about 4sqm, so ideal for a first go at it. Some of the prices I have seen in B&Q are hideous, but thats B&Q for ya. Looking at Walnut flooring specifically, if thats makes any odds. Ta, SSOTN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 30 January, 2012 Share Posted 30 January, 2012 My daughter has just laid a real wood floor in her hall. We have engineered wood in our sitting room. I can't tell the difference TBH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 30 January, 2012 Share Posted 30 January, 2012 Probably not what you want to hear, but I looked into it and chose high end laminate in the end. The laquered real wood scratches easily and the oiled wood needs to be maintained every year. Dont confuse cheap laminate with the stuff you pay £25-30sq m for (still less half the price of real wood). Ive got this stuff in Jatoba, 4 bevelled edges, and people really cant tell the difference between real wood and this, promise - and it still looks brand new three years later. http://www.quick-step.com/europe/uk/en/range/name/perspective.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaSaint Posted 30 January, 2012 Share Posted 30 January, 2012 We have real wood flooring (red oak) and love it. However, when you say "Gonna start off in the hallway", bear in mind that colour matching later on can be a barsteward - especially because the wood mellows with age and changes in appearance, particularly when there's sunlight around. We had 2/3 of our main floor done about six years ago, and now we're finishing the floor completely in real wood. Getting the stains close has proven to be an absolute night-frigging-mare. The contractor's on his third attempt and he's still not close. Much less of a problem with laminate, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 We have real wood flooring (red oak) and love it. However, when you say "Gonna start off in the hallway", bear in mind that colour matching later on can be a barsteward - especially because the wood mellows with age and changes in appearance, particularly when there's sunlight around. We had 2/3 of our main floor done about six years ago, and now we're finishing the floor completely in real wood. Getting the stains close has proven to be an absolute night-frigging-mare. The contractor's on his third attempt and he's still not close. Much less of a problem with laminate, though. This, luckily we got all of ours done in 1 go. Think we paid £40 sq/m for Solid Oak. Very happy with it, looks awesome! Depends how much you want to spend, but don't forget stuff like underlay etc if you want it, does tend to hike the price up. Also need to ensure your floors are very level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillyanne Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 Don't spend a shed load on real oak flooring if you have or are consider getting a cat or a dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 Don't spend a shed load on real oak flooring if you have or are consider getting a cat or a dog! I thought you gave all your cats away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 What is engineered wood when it's at home please b? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefunkygibbons Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 Had 200sq m installed in our house, and in the end went for top quality engineered wood. Cost near £65sqm fitted, but it looks fantastic Real woood looked nice but once it is done, you cannot tell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
so22saint Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 What is engineered wood when it's at home please b? It's a thick vaneer on a plywood base. It therefore looks like real wood and you can sand it up to 3 (or 5) times, however it doesn't expand and contract as much as real wood - it's more stable basically. We're getting our hallway done this week from Cathedral Floors in Kingsworthy. It's not cheap to be honest but it looks like good stuff. I had the bevelled edge fake stuff in the old house and it was amazing - you need to make sure you mix up the packs though to ensure you don't repeat the print too often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsaint Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 (edited) Whoops Edited 31 January, 2012 by bpsaint Posted on wrong thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 Don't spend a shed load on real oak flooring if you have or are consider getting a cat or a dog! or young kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillyanne Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 I thought you gave all your cats away? That wasn't quite the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 We have had both Laminate and Real wood and the real wood is a lot better. I dont understand the point about B&Q from my expeirence the prices are competitive. You wont get any expert advise (unless you're really really lucky), and stay away from their cheaper ranges, but comparing like for like their prices are normally the best around. I normally shop around for advise in other shops and then use them to buy. They keep having offers on particulary on flooring. I installed our laminate but our wood was done by a bloke doing our extension at the time, and you can tell, it was finished a lot better by him. It's one of those jobs that is a **** of ****, but I could tell the difference when a pro did it, paritculary around some of the tricky corners of the hall. Underlay is important and again I shopped around for that, and ended up finding it cheaper at Floors to Go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 31 January, 2012 Share Posted 31 January, 2012 Whatever you do, at least run it under the skirtings. There is nothing worse than miles of that ****ty quadrant glued to every edge getting dirty and looking dreadful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipstryker Posted 1 February, 2012 Share Posted 1 February, 2012 I own a flooring business. PM me if you get stuck and I'll help you in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 17 December, 2012 Share Posted 17 December, 2012 We are currently looking to lay either real wood or a decent laminate in our hallway, bathroom and kitchen and would welcome some advice (and a bargain!).. We're thinking of the quick-step laminate buctootim mentioned earlier in this thread. Is this a good way to go? Kipstryker, tried PM'ing you but kept failing... Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 17 December, 2012 Share Posted 17 December, 2012 Engineered wood is the best stuff to use according to my chippy mate, something to do with how it lays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirrorcarp Posted 17 December, 2012 Share Posted 17 December, 2012 (edited) I'm a chippy and I would go engineered over solid. It's still a solid wood finish but clicks together like laminate. Solid wood is normally glued and can move over time. For wear and tear though a good quality laminate is more hard wearing.would not put real wood in a bathroom. Laminate with aqua block in it's make up would be better. You got to weigh it up. Kids,cats,dogs,stilettos can all be damaging to different surfaces. Edited 17 December, 2012 by mirrorcarp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 17 December, 2012 Share Posted 17 December, 2012 Engineered wood is the best stuff to use according to my chippy mate, something to do with how it lays. Yep this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 17 December, 2012 Share Posted 17 December, 2012 Tits. Meant hallway, lounge and kitchen as they all lead onto each other without doors. We don't have cats or dogs etc and gf can't walk in stilettos I still don't want it to scratch easy or require maintenance like oiling etc so thinking of going for the quick laminate stuff I'm a chippy and I would go engineered over solid. It's still a solid wood finish but clicks together like laminate. Solid wood is normally glued and can move over time. For wear and tear though a good quality laminate is more hard wearing.would not put real wood in a bathroom. Laminate with aqua block in it's make up would be better. You got to weigh it up. Kids,cats,dogs,stilettos can all be damaging to different surfaces. Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirrorcarp Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 If you would like a reccomendation then for me the Howdens v groove is the best one I've ever fitted.must of done 1000m of the stuff over the last 6 years and never had a call back or problem.got it in my dining room and been down 5years now.my cats have never scratched it and they have tried. The only thing with it is there are only 5 colours but they are all very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 I thought you gave all your cats away? No, DSM STOLE one by not paying for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 Thanks for the advice. I'll look at those... If you would like a reccomendation then for me the Howdens v groove is the best one I've ever fitted.must of done 1000m of the stuff over the last 6 years and never had a call back or problem.got it in my dining room and been down 5years now.my cats have never scratched it and they have tried. The only thing with it is there are only 5 colours but they are all very nice. Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 We have engineered wood in our current house. It's okay, scratches easily. I had laminate in my first house and I wouldn't have any of it again - Once we move in, house we're buying will be carpeted in the right rooms (i.e. lounge, dining room and study) and everywhere else I intend to tile (hallway, family room, kitchen/diner). I think that's a good balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 Seems Howdens is trade only. Wouldn't give me a price per sq mtr without an account... If you would like a reccomendation then for me the Howdens v groove is the best one I've ever fitted.must of done 1000m of the stuff over the last 6 years and never had a call back or problem.got it in my dining room and been down 5years now.my cats have never scratched it and they have tried. The only thing with it is there are only 5 colours but they are all very nice. Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 Seems Howdens is trade only. Wouldn't give me a price per sq mtr without an account... Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express It is easy to get an account set yourself up as a kitchen fitter, make some headed paper up, make a few reciepts up and take it to them, they probably will not check. A bit of blagging and you will get a good discount, worked for me many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirrorcarp Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 Seems Howdens is trade only. Wouldn't give me a price per sq mtr without an account... Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express Its about £16.20 a square metre. you need fibreboard underlay about £2.30 a metre. But yes its trade only. If your gonna try and do it yourself you need to find someone with a trade account to get it for ya. Then door thresholds,radiator roses,new skirting or scotia. It does mount up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 (edited) Lads... I work for Howdens and can probably sort you out an Xmas special, especially as you're a fellow Saint! PM me if you want and I'll let you know how to get in contact Edited 18 December, 2012 by Crab Lungs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 You have a PM! Mirrorcarp, What's the chances of being able to save the existing skirting boards? 16 quid a square metres' cheap isn't it? What's a radiator rose? My brother may be fitting it as he has laid floors before. All just ideas at the mo but if I can get a good enough deal then may well go with it. Lads... I work for Howdens and can probably sort you out an Xmas special, especially as you're a fellow Saint! PM me if you want and I'll let you know how to get in contact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 You have a PM! Mirrorcarp, What's the chances of being able to save the existing skirting boards? 16 quid a square metres' cheap isn't it? What's a radiator rose? My brother may be fitting it as he has laid floors before. All just ideas at the mo but if I can get a good enough deal then may well go with it. We re-used our skirting boards when we did our floors - not a problem and looks much better than scotia IMO. I think a radiator rose is a circular thing that surrounds the feed pipe for a radiator so you don't just end up with a hole round the pipe - makes it look neater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 Thanks, good to know... We re-used our skirting boards when we did our floors - not a problem and looks much better than scotia IMO. I think a radiator rose is a circular thing that surrounds the feed pipe for a radiator so you don't just end up with a hole round the pipe - makes it look neater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirrorcarp Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 I would personally only re use skirting if it comes away from the wall easily and is in a decent condition. A lot of the time it will pull the plaster off the wall if its been stuck on.In older houses it will have been nailed on with cut nails and these will not come out without generally wrecking the skirting. Me personally i would always renew it. Skirting is not expensive generally £2 ish a metre depending on type. The other thing is that the new fresh painted finish on new wood will look a lot better than all the filled and rubbed down old paintwork from the re-used skirting. There is no doubt that it is the little things that give a premium finish. Skirting sat on the board looks way better than scotia. Try to use real wood roses and not plastic and most importantly read up on how to cut your door linings at the bottom so you can slide the boards underneath them. You must keep a 10mm expansion gap all the way around the floor,dont cut corners on that. I have seen some awful DIY laminate jobs in my time. Do it once and do it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 18 December, 2012 Share Posted 18 December, 2012 When are you free? ;-) I would personally only re use skirting if it comes away from the wall easily and is in a decent condition. A lot of the time it will pull the plaster off the wall if its been stuck on.In older houses it will have been nailed on with cut nails and these will not come out without generally wrecking the skirting. Me personally i would always renew it. Skirting is not expensive generally £2 ish a metre depending on type. The other thing is that the new fresh painted finish on new wood will look a lot better than all the filled and rubbed down old paintwork from the re-used skirting. There is no doubt that it is the little things that give a premium finish. Skirting sat on the board looks way better than scotia. Try to use real wood roses and not plastic and most importantly read up on how to cut your door linings at the bottom so you can slide the boards underneath them. You must keep a 10mm expansion gap all the way around the floor,dont cut corners on that. I have seen some awful DIY laminate jobs in my time. Do it once and do it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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