We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Wooden Flooring - general questions plus anyone used SOLID BIRCH FLOOR?

Options
13»

Comments

  • tawnyowls
    tawnyowls Posts: 1,784 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    ABN wrote:
    Where I believe that Engineered wood does have an advantage is in stability i.e. does not expand/contract as much if at all (but don't quote me on that :) ) When I laid my engineered floor I was told that you didn't need to leave an expansion gap. So didn't and have not has a problem.

    It is more stable, but you should still leave an expansion gap round the sides. I'm staggered that you were told not to (and even more so that you haven't had a problem). I've been trained with both Bruce and Tarkett flooring (plus training for other general wood flooring) and an expansion gap was definitely not optional.
    ellives wrote:
    Yes, but I think it is a bit too contemporary for my house - Edwardian. In fact, I'm wondering if my current first choice (Birch) may be too modern also?

    Yes, possibly. Oak would be more appropriate, but obviously it's a lot more expensive. As you've seen from the picture earlier in the thread, birch can have very wide variation in colour - not a problem if that's what you like, but some people aren't keen. Bamboo might still be an option - the very glossy light bamboo might be inappropriate, but you can get much darker bamboo with a matt finish, and that looks quite similar to an oak strip floor. B&Q had some in quite recently, and Makro (the cash & carry store) have it on a pretty regular basis (about £15/sq m, I think). You'll only get bamboo as engineered board, as it's too thin to make a solid block, but you'll get a reasonably thick layer (usually 14mm) of the actual wood.
  • misgrace
    misgrace Posts: 1,486 Forumite
    ABN wrote:
    never heard that before.

    Wood is wood. "Engineered" wood is simply plywood with the top thin layer (normally only a few mm) of decent wood. Thus will dent, scratch and wear the same as a solid wood floor with the same finish.

    Where I believe that Engineered wood does have an advantage is in stability i.e. does not expand/contract as much if at all (but don't quote me on that :) ) When I laid my engineered floor I was told that you didn't need to leave an expansion gap. So didn't and have not has a problem.



    Maybe thats what I meant :confused: Its just that my head is buzzing with so much different information on different types of flooring.

    I prefer the engineered wood, as we dont know how long we are staying in our present home, and I hate the thought of spending out on the real wood, and also the glue is very expensive.
    OH wants the real stuff, but by the time the furniture is in, sofa etc, we are not going to see much of the floor.
    We are already in the process of buying new sofas, oak furniture etc, but at least when we move we can take it with us, its just that everything is adding up, and the total amount is quite a shock to the system lol.
  • Kellm9
    Kellm9 Posts: 203 Forumite
    ellives wrote:
    Hi

    Yes, but I think it is a bit too contemporary for my house - Edwardian. In fact, I'm wondering if my current first choice (Birch) may be too modern also?

    I saw the Birch today, I think it looks quite nice. My home is Victorian and I was thinking about the too modern aspect also, especially with the Bamboo. The Birch display in Homebase did have quite a colour variance. I am doing my hallway and need the wood to be light. The colour variance would not really bother me and I think it looks good. It's £24.99 at the mo with extra 10% this coming weekend. Will have to try and decide. They have the solid oak at £24.99 ? but it is the kind that is made up of three strips bonded together (not sure what they call this as opposed to a single board) The single board solid oak at £34.99 looks really nice, they have 83mm and 125mm widths.

    What is the discount card you have that gets you an additional 20%, staff ?

    I tried to post this early but either the site is having problems or my web connection is acting up.

    Regards
    Kellm9
  • ellives
    ellives Posts: 635 Forumite
    Kellm9 wrote:

    What is the discount card you have that gets you an additional 20%, staff ?
    QUOTE]

    It is a staff discount card that is supposed to be signed by the staff member and a second person nominated by the staff member - friends and family?

    I've gone for oak! Solid wood, 90mm, 18mm thick, individual pieces, multi sizes (like the Birch at Homebase).

    Bought locally - delivered 12 hours later - £25 m2.

    Regarding skirting this place can't be beaten on price IMO - http://www.vanillawoodfloors.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=24_88&products_id=256

    Solid oak skirting 140mm - I bought 24 linear metres for £108 delivered (next day).
  • I can thoroughly recommend Rutherford Real Wood at https://www.rutherfordrealwood.com.

    They provide top class solid wooden flooring in a whole range of shades at the best price I have been able to find anywhere.

    They also sell on Ebay (see item number 270074941179)

    Their service is top class and the product is stunning!
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.