Kitchen Floor

MartialArtMan

What is the best material to use on our kitchen floor?

I like the real wood effect and am looking to spend about £20 per m2. I've read that engineered wood is the best option but is it really much different from laminate?

I'm considering a laminate from http://www.quick-step.com/europe/uk/en/default.aspx which is marginally cheaper than engineered wood but imo looks fantastic!

Thanks

Bishop_Basher

Laminate is fine as long as you don't spill water on it all the time!

Tall_Tone

Hi
The problem in a kitchen is the point wear you get near sinks and cookers.
Because of this I would go with solid wood and oiled finish, this is easier to re-finish when it wears.
It is slightly more expensive but will add value to the house
R

Doozergirl

Tall_Tone wrote: »

Hi
The problem in a kitchen is the point wear you get near sinks and cookers.
Because of this I would go with solid wood and oiled finish, this is easier to re-finish when it wears.
It is slightly more expensive but will add value to the house
R

If you get water seeping into that solid wood, it will warp. You have to be very careful around washing machines, dishwashers and sinks. If you get a leak :eek:

And it's not slightly more expensive, especially when you take fitting costs into consideration.

It will add about as much value as it costs to install. Looks good, will help the house sell when people think back about the features they've seen in houses but won't add much value at all.

Solid wood is lovely, but it's far from a no-brainer.

flea72

i would go for cushion floor. you can get it in a stripwood print if thats the look you want.

we have laminate at the moment, and its just not practical in a kitchen. the slightest bit of water and it warps. you cant give it a good wash, so it feels sticky all the time, and its noisy. However, you would have to slightly up your budget to around £24/m to get some decent cushion floor, plus the cost of laying and subfloor (depending on what you have at the mo)

Flea

Debt_Free_Chick

MartialArtMan wrote: »

I'm considering a laminate from http://www.quick-step.com/europe/uk/en/default.aspx which is marginally cheaper than engineered wood but imo looks fantastic!

Have you seen it "in the flesh"?

It would look "fantastic", bearing in mind that it's a photocopy but you have to see it "for real"

Doozergirl

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Have you seen it "in the flesh"?

It would look "fantastic", bearing in mind that it's a photocopy but you have to see it "for real"

I'm with you girl. If budget allows the choice between fake or something real, then that is certainly a no-brainer.

Debt_Free_Chick

Doozergirl wrote: »

I'm with you girl.

I know - it's scary sometimes. I'm sure some people think that we're the same person, with two different MSE profiles :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

And you live near where I grew up :eek: and we like the same properties :eek:

MartialArtMan

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Have you seen it "in the flesh"?

It would look "fantastic", bearing in mind that it's a photocopy but you have to see it "for real"

Not yet, I think I've found a fairly local supplier so will be going to have a look soon.

In honesty though we have laminate in the bathroom and the kids bedroom and we're quite happy with that. The laminate we're considering is single plank and textured so I'm hoping will pass as a wooden floor but we'll have to see.

These are the two we are considering:

Engineered wood floor from Wickes:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Real-Wood/Real-Wood-Flooring/invt/199897

And the laminate from Quick Step:
http://www.completelyflooring.co.uk/quickstep-eligna-country-natural-varnished-oak-planks.html

looby-loo_2

To me laminate is cold and clattery.

MartialArtMan

I have seen some nice cushion floors but am worried about the durability with our dog.

Can anyone give a ballpark figure as to how long a real wood/ engineered wood floor will last before it will need sanding and varnishing in comparison to how long a laminate will last before it needs replacing?