laminate or tiles?

Huggy_Bear

I'm about to have a new kitchen installed, which means I have to replace the floor. Currently I have laminate which is okish and runs out into the hallway and downstairs loo. I'm thinking of replacing it with a different colour laminate, the existing is a bit too orangy! or the other options is tiles.

has anyone else had this same dilemma?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

ormus

tiles every time for a kitchen.
i dont trust the laminate in a wet environment, despite what some vendors try and tell you about their special (read, expensive) kitchen/bathroom laminate.

The_Bargain_Hunters

Why not go for Laminate Tiles! We did, as we did not want wood effect floor in our consevatory, very god choice of colours and the ones we chose look like real stone, but warmer under foot!
We used Quick Step tiles and my hubby even did the kitchen floor to match all by himself!!

lisyloo

Just a warnign about quickstep.
I'm sure that 99% of the time they are OK but we have a production fault with our laminate and they would NOT fix it even though they agreed it was probably a production fault.
We forced them to fix it because we got hold of evidence (their email) that it was a production fault so we threatened to take them to court, but they are NOT a good company to deal with if you have problems.
This is despite having a 10 year guarantee.

We have tiles and they are great but the only criticism is that they are cold.

We have Amtico in bathrooms and it was expensive but I think it's nicer than ceramic tiles (not as cold).

ormus

ah.
another 10 yr warranty thats not worth the paper its written on, eh?

Huggy_Bear

yes I've also thought about laminate tiles rather than the wood effect. But I'm wondering if I go for this option if it would be better just to fit tiles. I've not priced anything up yet. What tends to be cheaper or easier to fit?

ormus

price is very similar for both.
i admit that tiles are prob a bit colder though. nice in the summer though?
i prefer to lay tiles, esp in a smaller room. ie kitchen/bathroom.

if i had a very large room, then perhaps laminate is prob easier/faster to lay.

lisyloo

another 10 yr warranty thats not worth the paper its written on, eh?

Just to add, the agent that came round (that we already knew personally) said that they were a difficult company to deal with.

It was amazing to us that they could offer a warranty and then decline to honour it.
We were lucky that they gave us the evidence we needed on a plate.
They were prepared to go to the costs and hassle of getting an independent inspection rather than help us.

DLL67

It has to be tiles in a kitchen imho. Water and laminate do not mix. Friends of mine were away for a couple of days fridge freezer broke down, flooring was ruined.

leedslass

We bought Aqualoc laminate tiles from B&Q, and are so pleased we now have them in the kitchen, utility room and bathroom. There are loads of colours available and everone who sees them cant believe they are not real. (my dad was down on his hands and knees trying to find the gaps between the boards because they are so hard to see! :rotfl:) Only had them down for a year, but still looks as good as new despite regularly getting wet. Would definitely recommend.

I have also found with B&Q that if you only need one board to finish the job and done want to buy a whole pack of laminate, they will normally sell you individual boards if they have a damaged pack on the shelf. Sometimes have to wait a few weeks for a damaged pack buts its worth it to save £20 or so!

ALWAYS_POOR

Water and laminate definitely do not mix, I know from experience, however expensive or whatever it says on the box, if your washing machine floods, NO CHANCE, it is ruined! Got excellent laminate lookalike in kitchen now, it comes in sticky strips and is fantastic. Looks just like wood/laminate but is SOOOOO hardwearing and easy to clean. When I had another recent washing machine disaster (this week actually) it stood up to it wonderfully well. They sell it in B&Q but not sure of the exact make.