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Need help deciding flooring for open plan kitchen-dining-living space

Hello all - 

I’m desperately seeking words of wisdom. I’ll be moving into a new build and need to get my own flooring. My open plan is an upstairs 19x19.5 space that consists of kitchen-dining-living space.
downstairs is a huge utility room next to the front door. Downstairs I’m thinking LVT but upstairs I’d like something else. My first choice is engineered wood followed by tile. No pets or kids just me.

Does anyone have engineered wood in their kitchen? If so how has it held up? Any dishwasher mishaps damage?
Does anyone have tile in open plan?

Either option I plan to put electric UFH as I love the feel (yes there are 2 radiators already)

I also intend to go with very very light color.

Thanks


«1

Comments

  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I wouldn't put engineered wood in a kitchen, or anywhere there's potential moisture or liquid spills, it's real wood after all and won't like getting wet.
  • Bendy_House
    Bendy_House Posts: 4,756 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 16 October 2021 pm31 3:12PM
    Hi Diva!
    As Neil says, engineered wood - or any laminate/real/engineered timber flooring - in a kitchen is surely going to be a risk. My in-laws had Karndean fitted throughout their last bungalow - a 3mm oak layer over a solid timber layer. Lovely. 10 years later, the W/M leaked, slowly, unbeknown to them, until the floor started to buckle. Wrecked. (Tho' insurance covered it...)
    Since most of the flooring options available these days are pretty much visually indistinguishable at first glance - there are vinyl planks which are truly stunning with natural grain 'just' like real wood, and there's real wood which has such an even stain and thick poly layer as to look plastic - that the choice, I think, should/could be made on practicalities.
    Ie, don't fit anything in a kitchen that isn't waterproof, and very durable.
    Upstairs, in the living areas, fit something that is warm and cosy and inviting.
    So, 'vinyl' (and there's a ton to chose from) in the kitchen/diner, and laminate/real in the living areas, would be my choice.
    Check out Forbo Allura (and the rest of their range) for the 'vinyl' - far superior to Kanrdean's, and far cheaper. Lots of other options, of course.

  • DRP
    DRP Posts: 4,283 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I had engineered wood in a kitchen/diner/living room and it was good. I didn’t experience too many mishaps to judge though, apart from a smashed pint of milk cleared up immediately and was fine.

    I think a leak that isnt sorted quickly would destroy any sort of floor, so I wouldn’t let that risk be the deciding factor ( especially given you are talking about an upstairs room).
  • Electric UFH is v expensive to run.
    No man is worth crawling on this earth.

    So much to read, so little time.
  • Rosa_Damascena
    Rosa_Damascena Posts: 6,770 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    edited 16 October 2021 pm31 4:38PM
    Hello all - 

    I’m desperately seeking words of wisdom. I’ll be moving into a new build and need to get my own flooring. My open plan is an upstairs 19x19.5 space that consists of kitchen-dining-living space.
    downstairs is a huge utility room next to the front door. Downstairs I’m thinking LVT but upstairs I’d like something else. My first choice is engineered wood followed by tile. No pets or kids just me.

    Does anyone have engineered wood in their kitchen? If so how has it held up? Any dishwasher mishaps damage?
    Does anyone have tile in open plan?

    Either option I plan to put electric UFH as I love the feel (yes there are 2 radiators already)

    I also intend to go with very very light color.

    Thanks


    You can get porcelain that looks like wood - that's what I did in my kitchen, utility, hall and cloakroom. The rest is engineered wood as that was my preferred look, and whilst the 2 are not a 100% match, its good enough.
    No man is worth crawling on this earth.

    So much to read, so little time.
  • I’ve fitted engineered floors in many kitchens and have never had a call back.
    we are having lvt in our kitchen.
    upstairs engineered flooring would be nice in bedrooms
    Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.'
  • Hi Diva!
    As Neil says, engineered wood - or any laminate/real/engineered timber flooring - in a kitchen is surely going to be a risk. My in-laws had Karndean fitted throughout their last bungalow - a 3mm oak layer over a solid timber layer. Lovely. 10 years later, the W/M leaked, slowly, unbeknown to them, until the floor started to buckle. Wrecked. (Tho' insurance covered it...)
    Since most of the flooring options available these days are pretty much visually indistinguishable at first glance - there are vinyl planks which are truly stunning with natural grain 'just' like real wood, and there's real wood which has such an even stain and thick poly layer as to look plastic - that the choice, I think, should/could be made on practicalities.
    Ie, don't fit anything in a kitchen that isn't waterproof, and very durable.
    Upstairs, in the living areas, fit something that is warm and cosy and inviting.
    So, 'vinyl' (and there's a ton to chose from) in the kitchen/diner, and laminate/real in the living areas, would be my choice.
    Check out Forbo Allura (and the rest of their range) for the 'vinyl' - far superior to Kanrdean's, and far cheaper. Lots of other options, of course.

    Thanks Bendy_house. The issue is that this is the main/only living space and I do not like the LVT I’ve seen. Even with a plush rug is tile really warm Cosy.
    I thought there are some waterproof engineered wood?
  • Here’s the floor plan 
  • We are currently planning a renovation and planning on Engineered wood throughout downstairs open plan kitchen/living/dining.  We've done a lot of research and its our preferred option still.  We wanted to consider LVT but even more expensive ones felt horrible and I wouldn't want to walk on those throughout our main space. 



  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,021 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 18 October 2021 am31 9:29AM
    There's no such thing as waterproof engineered wood.    Wood is wood.  Engineered wood is a top layer of the finish of wood you want, with a cross laminated timber underneath to make it stable and less liable to expansion/shrinkage. 

    If you have underfloor heating then tile can be comfortable, but it's never going to be cosy.  

    I'm not sure what LVT people are looking at, but I'm incredibly
    particular and my Amtico Spacia looks and feels like wood.  Visitors think it is wood.  Just keep looking would be my advice.  
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
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