Which type of wooden floor for lounge/diner?

GSDog

We have an open plan lounge/diner which is roughly 30ft long and 10ft wide. We want to have wooden flooring and our budget is around £25/m2 max.

We don't want it too light or too dark, so somewhere in the middle would be good. We're considering both solid wood and engineered and don't really have any preferences.

What type of wooden floor would you recommend and where should we buy it from?

Any help would be appreciated.

becs

We have bamboo throughout the ground floor and bought from http://www.simplybamboo.co.uk/products.php

anotherbaldrick

Don't buy engineered wood , walking on it in shoes sounds like skeletons copulating on a corrugated iron roof. Got solid wood about half inch thick at least.

GSDog

becs wrote: »

We have bamboo throughout the ground floor and bought from http://www.simplybamboo.co.uk/products.php

That looks very nice. They have a nice selection with good prices too. I've ordered some samples from them, thanks.

Hintza

Thee is nothing wrong with a decent engineered board.

I wouldn't buy online you really want to see, feel, touch and if possible walk on it.

I think your budget is a little light though OP for a decent long wearing floor.

We got our floor from BigTree.

becs

The bonus with bamboo is it is very stable so you don't get problems with water damage if it gets wet. It is not an engineered board it is classed as solid wood, it's very hardwearing and good value andit's also very environmentally friendly. I had it in my lasthouse in bathroom and bedroom and loved it so much we had it throughout downstairs and our bedroom and the bathroom again. It's been down for 4 years now and always gets commented on howlovely it is. It can be resanded and revarnished if necessary as well. Simpky Bamboo i think were one of the original companies to import bamboo and were great to deal with. This is the dining room end of conservatory which showsit a bit clearer.[URL="http://

betsie

We have engineered oak (mid colour) from B&Q (bought on one of there special event weekends when you get an extra 20% off). I have had no problem re sound and it has been down 2 years and still looks great.

GSDog

becs wrote: »

The bonus with bamboo is it is very stable so you don't get problems with water damage if it gets wet. It is not an engineered board it is classed as solid wood, it's very hardwearing and good value andit's also very environmentally friendly. I had it in my lasthouse in bathroom and bedroom and loved it so much we had it throughout downstairs and our bedroom and the bathroom again. It's been down for 4 years now and always gets commented on howlovely it is. It can be resanded and revarnished if necessary as well. Simpky Bamboo i think were one of the original companies to import bamboo and were great to deal with. This is the dining room end of conservatory which showsit a bit clearer.

That really does look nice. I was initially going to go for something lighter than yours but the darker one is really growing on me now. Can you remember exactly what colour/type of bamboo yours is from Simply Bamboo? I've ordered samples of medium coffee but I'm not sure if it'll be too light or too dark, it's difficult to tell by just looking at their website. I wish I'd ordered some darker stained samples now.

Bangton

Solid oak wood is lovely...if your budget will stretch. We had it laid a year ago in our living room, having had carpets before. It's stunning, easy to clean, warm underfoot. Somehow we managed to get it with a big discount off through my brother who is a builder (so if you know anyone who may get trade discount it's worth asking!) I think it came to just under £1000 but our living room is quite big and we carried it through to the hallway. If that's way out of your budget engineered is quite nice too but I would definately purchase from a shop. Initially we looked at engineered and the internet photos nowhere near matched the real life look of it. Sounds like you are getting samples anyway which I would commend. Have to say the bamboo does look a nice option too ... I might consider that for my bedroom!

I have also just remembered my sister was able to pull her carpet up and sand and stain the floorboards in her home for hardly any cost yet it looks as good as my living room costing a £1000! I wanted to follow suit in my bedroom but we have a huge concrete block where there used to be a fireplace so it's looking like a no go...hence my liking for the bamboo!

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

We've got engineered oak in the living room and dining room and solid oak plank type flooring in the hall as we wanted a contrast.
At one point the engineered oak was in the hall too however we wanted a contrast and got the solid oak laid instead.
The engineered oak has been down five years (was 4 years in the hall) and still looks good as new.
Its warm and looks lovely.
The solid oak on the hall is just as nice but cost a lot more.
I would buy both again.
To be honest you need to go and look at some samples and see what suits you and your budget.
Don't just chose on whether its engineered or solid flooring,both can be good.

2010

I`ve got engineered and have no issues with it.
Solid wood is too expensive, harder to lay and could warp.
Laminate is a waste of money, marks easily and looks tatty after a while.

Engineered every time.