Are real wood floors worth it?

aussie_in_wales

Hi,

I've recently moved and I'm wanting to replace the old worn out carpets in my living room. The living room had an old aluminium sliding door leading to the patio and garden which I've replaced with French doors. New carpet is now not a great option due to dirty shoes coming in from the garden.

I was looking at getting real wood floors laid as I feel they look better and think (maybe wrongly) they more hard-wearing than laminate floors. I know they are more expensive than laminate but I'm planning on being in my house for at least 10 years. Is there anything I should be wary of if I go down this route?

Also in your opinions is the extra money worth it?

Wookey

Laminate would be harder wearing than a soft wood floor like pine which will gets dings in it quite easily as well as scratches, hard wood floorboards like oak will be tougher but would still be prone to marking from heavy objects being dropped/dragged on them. You will also need to consider a lacquer or varnish coating every 5-10 years as it starts to wear, having a solid wood floor is more about adding character into a room imo as it starts to show it's age thru getting used. You would probably pay up to x4 the price for solid oak as opposed to an oak laminate, fitting costs would also be higher for solid flooring.

aussie_in_wales

Hi Wookey thank you for your advice. I will start searching for laminate flooring instead!

illusionek

Quickatep has some very nice laminate flooring looking like wood. I was considering their impressive ultra range but sadly out of my budget.

illusionek

Quickastep should read Quickstep.

onomatopoeia99

I put engineered oak down in my bedroom five years ago and hallway three years ago, still looks excellent. I chose lacquered so I don't need to re-oil it regularly, just sweep it with a broom or wipe with a damp cloth.

Because it's engineered it's very stable (no shinking and expanding) and I was able to lay it "floating" rather than nailed into the concrete base. I remain really pleased with it and hope it will outlive me!

michaels

We have 14mm engineered wood 4mm wear layer 'laminate' and 18mm real wood in different rooms. The real wood still looks like new after 6 years, the laminate doesn't.

vansboy

I prefer laminate, as it is lower cost and easier to fit, plus easier maintainance.

Recently had some samples of around £20/mtr styles from
https://www.directwoodflooring.co.uk/laminate-flooring/oak?p=7
and was suitably impressed.best to get a few samples from different suppliers, then see what you think.

Also it seems that if you don't order pretty much straight away, after samples arrive, or you register interest on there websites, many suppliers will offer an additional 5-10% discount, a week or two later!!

VB

lush_walrus

It's personal choice really, personally I don't like the appearance of laminate but it is personal choice. I would have a good look before deciding.

There are things you can do to improve the look of laminate, I would recommend removing skirting rather than opting for the beading for example.

We have oak throughout and 3 young girls, but none of us wear shoes inside. We have had our oak for 5 years and it still looks great. We have no dings and one scratch but that was caused by husband dragging a bed over it. It's a natural material so I don't expect it to look perfect in the same way slate does not.

You do need to be careful though, as with anything, laminate will dent too and as it is q manufacturered perfect material can look worse when it does. so it's not a get out of jail card for being careless. Go for a commercial grade if you can budget for it and find a type you like. Avoid the cheaper laminates.

bouicca21

I have engineered oak. Love it. All the laminates I've ever seen look cheap and tacky in comparison.

Aylesbury_Duck

I prefer solid wood. I've bought and laid solid, engineered and laminate flooring and that's my order of preference. It's a very subjective thing but solid wood feels warmer, sounds better underfoot and looks the part, rather than laminate which is ultimately a pattern. Budget and ease of fitting are considerations but I was fortunate to have the funds for the solid wood and the tools, time and experience to lay it.

So yes, in my view real wood is worth it, but that's just my view. I don't mind the inevitable dings and scrapes, either, because they are part of the look.