Laminate Advice

sspyrou

Hi All,

I am renovating a small two bedroom house and looking at kitting it out with laminate top and bottom apart from stairs (carpet) and bathroom (vinyl).

It will be rented so looking for something hard wearing that will stay looking new for many years.

I would be grateful for any advice you have on which make of flooring to go for and any recommendations between particular lines/collections within a brand given the intended use.

The main one I am aware of is Quick Step but, assuming it is of very high quality, I was wondering if there are any similar alternatives of the same quality but maybe slightly cheaper.

Finally, is it best to buy the laminate from the internet and then find a reputable local fitter or can I get a good deal overall by going with a local store ?

Thanks in advance for any help and desperately needed advice you can provide.

Southend1

I just had quick step elite in my hall and it looks fantastic. Wasn't that expensive either

sspyrou

I have also been recommended Balterio which is roughly the same price as Quick Step. Does anyone know if one is better than the other ?

Here are two examples of prices:

Balterio Trad Elegant

Quick Step Elite

Babbawah

If you is kitting it out for rental then you need to be looking at cheap, durable & easy to replace.

Last time I looked, carpet worked out as the more sensible choice.

sspyrou

Thanks Babbaway. I have had carpet before and it wears quite quickly and always needs cleaning when tenants move out.

I believe a hard wearing laminate will last longer.

CKdesigner

Hi sspyrou

We have just built an annex at home and (not my choice) fitted Quickstep laminate on the floor. Its horrible! Its little more than hardboard, I really can't see it wearing well at all. Its been down a couple of months and I can see dents in it where furniture has been and there is no way I would spend my money on it!

We also have 2 kitchen studios, one we have fitted porcelain tiles, the other we have Spacia from Amtico, it is obviously more expensive than any of the 'click' type flooring systems but its absolutely 'a fit once' solution. If it were me with a rental property then I would fit this, then after a tenant leaves get in an Amtico specialist renovator to give it a proper clean and re-seal. Then every-time you have a new tenant they will think they have a brand new floor!

Good luck

CK

justintime999

Hard wearing laminates cost more than they are worth, especially for rented properties IMHO.

sspyrou

Interesting feedback. Thanks.

I am a little confused now.

In my own home I have engineered oak and to be honest, was disappointed due to the amount of pitting and scratches it has picked up over time. I had cheap laminate in a previous house and that was worse.

Saying that though, I always thought that quality laminate from the likes of Quick Step would wear much better than either of the other two options I have personally experienced above.

CK, sorry to hear your experience with Quick Step. I have heard great things about Amtico but my worry with it is if at some point in the future you need to lift a part of the the flooring up to get to pipes or such like beneath the floorboards, won't that ruin the Amtico?

Justintime, what would you recommend ?