Laminate suppliers suggestions

AndyAtu

Hi,

I'm looking at fitting laminate or solid wood flooring in a 3 bed but can't afford fitter so planning to do it myself.

I've been looking at B&Q for something like http://www.diy.com/departments/colours-alteo-dark-oak-effect-laminate-flooring-247-m/152760_BQ.prd but unsure if it's any good or the most cost effective option. B&Q are not exactly renowned for value for money.

Does anyone know of any suitable alternatives to B&Q?

Thanks

NB : The house has no central heating, either radiators or underfloor heating will be going in next year...

jellie

I would have suggested Quick Step as it's excellent quality and lots of design and colour options.

However, if you're going to be ripping it up again next year, can't you just live with what you've got now? It seems a bit of a waste of time and money to have it down for only a few months.

AndyAtu

Hi jellie, would they need to rip it up to fit CH and radiators?

My thinking was that they can lift the boards as necessary and then I would fit these back in. Some extra work needed but no extra cost or actual damage?

Thanks!

robatwork

AndyAtu wrote: »

Hi jellie, would they need to rip it up to fit CH and radiators?

My thinking was that they can lift the boards as necessary and then I would fit these back in. Some extra work needed but no extra cost or actual damage?

Thanks!

Chances are if you have to rip some out then it will be next to impossible to refit just a few planks. I would wait until you do the heating before laminating. Get some cheapo rugs for now.

I have laid Ikea laminate myself and it's pretty easy and not bad quality - quick step already mentioned is very good too but probably more expensive than Ikea.

phill99

AndyAtu wrote: »

Hi jellie, would they need to rip it up to fit CH and radiators?

My thinking was that they can lift the boards as necessary and then I would fit these back in. Some extra work needed but no extra cost or actual damage?

Thanks!

You can't take out 'planks' in a laminate floor. Trust me I've laid thousands of square metres in my time. Once its down, its down. You are being very niaive.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Quick Step (and presumably any laminate that uses their uniclic system) can be removed including planks from the middle of the floor, but it's time consuming so probably not cheap in terms of labour. Only really worth doing to replace damaged boards. If you need to do major work like plumbing the whole floor really needs to come up and then be relaid.

AndyAtu

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Does anyone know if CH plumbing really needs to go underflooring or could next to skirting board. Not as pretty but I'm not bothered about this, I'd prefer it this way in case there is ever a leak.

And before someone else calls me "very naive" once again, please note that I do admit I'm not an expert and only kindly ask for advice from people who are happy to offer it.

TheCyclingProgrammer

No, CH plumbing doesn't have go under the floor but as you say it looks ugly.

martinsurrey

AndyAtu wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Does anyone know if CH plumbing really needs to go underflooring or could next to skirting board. Not as pretty but I'm not bothered about this, I'd prefer it this way in case there is ever a leak.

And before someone else calls me "very naive" once again, please note that I do admit I'm not an expert and only kindly ask for advice from people who are happy to offer it.

If the pipes are along the skirting above laminate and they do leak, the floor will be ruined (it'll sponge the water and bow). And below the floor you are less likely to drop something on them and break them...