Anyone had laminate flooring in a new build?

scw1

I am having a new house built and have been told by Persimmon who are building it that we cannot have laminate flooring as its a new house. We went to a carpet shop yesterday to arrange to get a quote and they said its rubbish and we could have laminate flooring if we wanted. Now I am confused. I dont know who to believe. Persimmon only do carpets so I suppose they could be saying that just to get us to buy carpet from them.
Anyone had a new built house with laminate/wooden flooring? Had any problems? Cheers Sam

emam

Hi,
we bought a new build brom bryant homes 8 years ago and they fitted laminate in the kitchen!! we were first time buyers so got the carpets etc from them as an extra. it hasnt caused us any bother! just buying another new build and have already priced laminate for it!!

Jomo

I don't see why you cannot! Unless Persimmons would have to pay more for the fitting of laminate as I'm sure carpet is easier to fit??

GreenNinja

Hi, I had wooden flooring put down in my house when it was brand new, three years ago.

However... I arranged this myself as no flooring was included from the builders. The problem with having wooden or laminate flooring put down is that if the skirting boards are already on its then difficult to do your floor. Normally the floor would go down first then the skirting. If you have the flooring done after the skirting has been put down you have like an edging strip all the way round (I have this) it looks fine but obviously not as nice as if you had the flooring put down first. Maybe this is why they are not keen on doing it?

Jomo

GreenNinja wrote: »

Hi, I had wooden flooring put down in my house when it was brand new, three years ago.

However... I arranged this myself as no flooring was included from the builders. The problem with having wooden or laminate flooring put down is that if the skirting boards are already on its then difficult to do your floor. Normally the floor would go down first then the skirting. If you have the flooring done after the skirting has been put down you have like an edging strip all the way round (I have this) it looks fine but obviously not as nice as if you had the flooring put down first. Maybe this is why they are not keen on doing it?

Yes that's true, I took my skirtings off when I got mine done...

It is more work which in effect is more money to get it done! Although you could offer to pay the difference in cost?

gabyjane

Hi we have laminate in our new build in 2 bedrroms, the lounge and the hall and has been fine..one bit in the hall squeaks a tiny bit at times but nothing else.

Imp

When I lived in a new build flat, laminate or solid wood flooring was not permitted because it is noisy for the neighbours. This was in the lease, and this might be the case with your new build.

bennybroadbean

We have a laminate flooring down in our hall way when we moved in (brand new house) 3.5 years ago, had no problems at all even with the pooch going on it.

This wasn't included with our house price - we got external people todo it.

mkinnon

Laminate flooring takes more time than carpet so they probably try to avoid doing it. Make sure you get a good quality laminate flooring, they cost more, but it's worth it. The difference is in the thinkness of the actual surface - some are paper thin and chip the first time you drop something heavy or drag furniture around. Any laminates will scratch and damage with bangs and knocks over time, but if the surface is a little thicker then you'll just get normal wear and tear marks rather than chips flaking away.

ILW

Is it just me that thinks laminate flooring is truly hideous, and makes any place look like a downmarket buy to let?

Soot2006

ILW wrote: »

Is it just me that thinks laminate flooring is truly hideous, and makes any place look like a downmarket buy to let?

Massively depends on the quality (price!) of the laminate -- you can get really decent ones now for a fraction of the cost of real oak or walnut!