Redwood (softwood) or Engineered Oak Flooring?

xgfx

Hi all, looking for some advice especially if you've had any experience with either options.

Our current floor is on it's last legs both the joists and floorboards need replacing due to woodworm. I didn't want to cement the floor so I've been given two options, and I'm quite happy with the quotes.

1. £2500 for a Redwood floor. That is including ripping up the old floor and joists, clearing out dirt, treating the surrounding area for woodworm and then laying down a new Redwood floor.

2. £3500 for an Oak engineered floor. Again they would rip everything up etc, then place the base ply down, before laying the engineered Oak down.


I'm aware the Redwood would need varnishing, but besides that, are there any major benefits of going for the engineered oak?

In the past we've had some slugs come up from underneath the floorboards, this is because there was a damp problem previously, and the amount of dirt down there. I'm thinking that the Oak floor would be a tighter seal, stopping anything from coming up in the future?

Thanks for any help!

sunshinetours

For looks Engineered Oak would be my choice if real oak wasn't an option.

Also depends where this is going - I am unsure how stable redwood would be to warping, lifting etc especially if in high moisture area

discountmummy

How many m2 is this for? And is the engineered oak not suitable for floating? Would save on creaking from ply and just put a thick underlay down if you find one that does.

I got mine from B&Q oak life beveled and did just that it cost around £1300 for 29m2 including underlay and my carpenter charged £275 for almost 3 days work including fitting an oak skirting board.

xgfx

I've seen a sample of the engineered Oak, and it looks nice, not sure if it's how I wanted the floor to look though..

Roughly I'd need 50 metres squared.

The floor will be a main walkway as i'll be going over it to reach the kitchen and the living room. As well as it being in the living room.

I'm not sure if it's possible to have a floating floor as there's a fair gap underneath the existing floorboards.

I'm leaning towards the redwood but i'm just curious as to whether it'll be durable enough and can be varnished nicely?

fybar

We've just had an engineered oak floor layed. Got it from Howdens - it was going end of line so was relatively cheap. Looks excellent. It scratches a lot more easily than laminate but I don't mind because it adds character.

missile

I would go for the redwood. Proper wide floorboard look so much better.

xgfx

I think I'd like to keep the more original look even if it means we will still get the occasional creepy crawly due to it being a less snug fit. Opposed to the newness and tight fit of a engineered floor.

I'm leaning towards the redwood at the moment. Although the prospect of varnishing it is daunting. Any advice on what I should do? Stain/Varnish/Lacquer? Also a little dubious whether it'll hold up to the wear and tear. Going to see a sample of the redwood later on today.

swelly

Hi, I've just seen this thread and having the same dilemma...softer redwood reclaimed boards or engineered oak boards? what decision did you make in the end and are you happy? any tips too would be helpful. thanks