laminate flooring vs wooden effect vinyl

myothercarisaferrari

Afternoon all

Just after some advice. My lovely landlord has said I can remove the carpet in the living room and replace it with laminate.:j

Now I have two dogs and live in a first floor flat, so upon speaking to a friend she has suggested wood effect vinyl as its cheaper to fit, easier to clean and won't be as nosy when walking across like laminate (people who live downstairs - their bedroom is below my living room).

So does anyone have vinyl? Would it look weird in a room that is 16.5ft x 12ft?

thanks! x

Apricot

I don't have it myself but my auntie has it in her living room/kitchen and hallway and it doesn't look silly at all - tbh unless you look very closely you can't tell it's vinyl. Her living room and kitchen are knocked into one room and its about 30ft by 30ft. Another bonus is that it's a lot cheaper than laminate flooring.
She's had hers down for at least five years and it's extremely hard wearing - she has a large dog and it doesn't yet show any signs of wear and tear. She has to sweep and mop regularly but its a lot easier to keep clean than carpet.

Friends of mine who have laminate and dogs say the noise of the dog walking sounds like they're tap dancing across the floor which can be very annoying - especially if someone lives below you.

paddypaws101

I put a wood effect vinyl down in a kitchen/diner in a rental property of mine and I think it looks really good. It is hard wearing and quieter than laminate. I have also seen plank effect vinyl tiles which I also think would look good in a living room.
One point though.....do check again that the Freeholder allows you to remove carpet and replace with hard flooring. The landlord may own the lease and say it is ok, but if the downstairs flat were to complain due to increase in noise ( a common complaint ) then there may be an issue.

myothercarisaferrari

Thanks guys...will get off to B&Q to price the vinyl up!

The landlord actually owns the flat downstairs too. Its an old terrace thats been converted x

rita-rabbit

cheaper, warmer (don't forget it never gets v hot in UK), less noisy and you can fit it yourself.:beer:

ka7e

I have the wood-effect vinyl in my kitchen-diner and hall. It looks very much like real wooden floorboards.
The main advantage is that it is not slippery like most laminates.
The only disadvantage is that it is actually textured, like wood, so it needs an occasional scrub to get grime out of the grain!

meames_2

I have laminate all through downstairs and its always cold and the dog skids everywhere and to be honest with the dirty feet it has got chipped abd looks awful. I have the vinyl upstairs in the bathroom and I much prefer it and its never as cold (even with heating off!)

myothercarisaferrari

oooh Ka7e that looks fab!

thanks guys we are going to price the vinyl up tomorrow! x

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle

Vinyl takes a little more effort to clean, but if your doggy is one to run about and get excited, then def the best option. We live in a house so have laminate throughout downstairs - generally it's fine as our dogs are mostly calm, but if they do fancy a hyperactive run around moment the tapping is very noisy and the skidding, oh dear, not nice for them but certainly amusing when they are trying to corner, lol!

As long as your dog doesn't scratch area much vinyl is best i think - we got our westie as a pup and she decided the vinyl was a chew and scratch play area hence the change to laminate in our kitchen...she is much older and better behaved now so it wouldn't be a prob anymore, just something to consider if yours are over playful and the chewy sort.

carefullycautious

OOOOhhhh KA7E that is just what I am looking for for my bedroom. Can I be nosy and ask where you purchased it from (outlet)

Thanks in anticipation

I have two dogs and that looks fab :j

Indie_Kid

My parents have laminate in the front room. The only problem we had was the greyhound skidding everywhere. We now have 2 smaller dogs (one who is very hairy and the other one is short-haired) and neither have that problems.

We have vinyl in the dinning room - this is very easy to clean.