Real Wood Floor!!!

morbius

Hi,

I've just bought a house and would like to install a real wood (or engineered wood) floor when I eventually move in (hopefully in the next few weeks) the area is about 4m x 7m. I have found various websites selling the flooring etc, but what I am really looking for is a fully installed service. I would want it done professionally to a good finish. Can anyone recommend any companies (or individuals) in the Norfolk/East Anglia area (Kings Lynn to be exact).

Thanks,
Morbius

gjam52

I haven't used them myself but

http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/contact.cfm

seemed to be helpful on phone and competitively priced when I was checking things out (and they are in Norfolk)

DSmiffy

Don't mean to be rude but, why???? Wooden floors are very noisy, easy to mark and do not resist the pressure of high heels very well. Why don't you have a look at some Amtico, it looks just like a real wood floor when it's down, much less noise, can't mark it, doesn't matter if you get it wet, resists oil spillages...... have a look at some laid properly before you go down the wood road, you never know you might love it...!!

in_my_wellies

I have solid oak wood in the house, laid 100 years ago and laminate in the garage conversion. The laminate is cold, clattery and I hate it. The wood has mellowed with age, become part of the home, feels warm to look at (not to touch I know) . It will never need replacing, all its costs to keep is a thorough polish once a year, a quick buff every week and sweep most days as we have dogs and cats.
Go for real wood.

morbius

Thanks for the replies,

I have contacted flooringsupplies.co.uk and they are indeed very helpful, however, they do not fit the floors nor will they recommend anyone (I can only assume they don't want to be held responsible for any shoddy workmanship).
Regarding Amtico, I have not heard of it, I will have a google about and see what I can find. I assume it's some sort of laminate. I really do not want laminate, it looks awful over big areas in my opinion, even if it is laid properly but I will still check it out.
The problems you mentioned about wooden flooring do not concern me too much, there is only myself and my partner living in the house, no children, no pets so I'm sure the "noise" and "staining" factors will not be a problem. It would be worth it in my opinion as it would really bring the room to life (the house is over a 100 years old).
I've been told that John Lewis sell wooden flooring and will recommend a local installer so I think I might pay them a visit :-)

DSmiffy

No...... Amtico is not a laminate, that stuf is awful, it's like chip board with a bit of wood colouring on top and what's worse is if you get it wet it bulges up like a tent and splits.. NO Amtico is a bit like a vinyl tile, if your like, it's in strips like planks of wood and it is a photograph of wood on a thick vinyl tile base and then on top of that there is a clear layer... it is this that takes the wear and tear, so the wood colour never wears out, you can get it wet, it doesn't matter. I mop mine with hot water and floor cleaner every week, spotlessy clean with no effort, or damage to the floor.
It's expensive stuff though, and there are cheaper versions, it just means that the clear layer on top is not as thick as with Amtico. Have a look at some, you might be surprised.! Also, as for the noise, it is not clattery as it is fixed to the floor with adhesive, where as laminate stuff just clicks together and sits on the top of the existing floor, so no sound proofing. It's also quite warm under foot too !
Just thought it might be an alternative to real wood.

BobRobUK

I also have solid oak strip flooring in my house, over 80 years old it looks fantastic and hasn't moved one bit. We love our floor and to be honest it's one of the best features in the house. Once every 5 years give it a coat of satin warnish and it will last forever.
I think you will pay about £40.00 m2 for supply.

Regards

Bob

morbius

Thanks for your replies. I was hoping to get the whole room (4m x 7m) done for less than £2000 fitted. What do you think my chances are???

scotch

I had a look at Amtico flooring for a small cloakroom and found it too expensive to justify.
It ranges from about £40-£70 per metre/sq and the adhesive is about £30 tin.
John Lewis stock it and as it requires fitting by an expert they quoted us,if i remember £250,this would make flooring the cloakroom (approx 2 metre/sq) about £400-£500.
Oh i forgot you need a perfect floor to fix it to so you need to account for that also.

Don't make the mistake of trying to fit it yourself-i have heard horror stories about diy fitting.

Good Luck