Flooring - can't decide

angelasocks

Hi

Realise there are a lot of posts about this but?

Moved into my new home last year and trying to decide which flooring, hallway, lounge, dining room. 

When I visit flooring shops they seem to want to push me to LVT which I don't want.  

Hardwood flooring - expensive but also flooring companies talk me out of it saying it's high maintenance and just seem reluctant to do it. Cost might be too much but can't even get one to provide a quote.  

Engineered hardwood - mixed reviews on the internet, some people say it stains and scratches easy, others say it's fine and durable. 2 flooring companies told me they stock it but don't recommend it.

Laminate - had this in my previous home, it was the cheaper stuff and I never really had a problem with it.  I'd like a higher end one this time if I opt for that just would prefer the charm of proper wood.

Bamboo flooring - read about off gassing.

Lastly cheapest option restoring existing pine floorboards.

Any suggestions please I'm just going round in circles.  

Thank you.

Albermarle

No carpets ?

angelasocks

The previous owners left carpets and I have cats, cat hair, cat litter and sometimes wee and sick - not very hygenic.

Silvertabby

We have engineered oak in our hall, lounge and dining room and can't fault it.  Will say that you have to get a good quality one with a thick layer of real wood - ours is thick enough to take a sanding, if necessary,  and it still looks as good as the day it was laid nearly 5 years ago.

That said, we do kick our shoes off at the front door, so that probably helps.  A couple of scratches from the dining room chairs (use felt pads) were easily dealt with by a little of the oil wax sealant, and fur balls and other feline accidents (our last cat was elderly before we sadly lost her) are simply wiped up. 

I think it's the thickness of the layer of real oak that makes or breaks engineered flooring.  Next door laid a dark wood with a very thin veneer - and it's been ruined by their pup's claws. 

We have LVT in the kitchen and bathrooms, and it's great - but to my mind it's kitchen and bathroom flooring.  Our engineered oak is warmer and much more 'homely' in our living areas. 

FreeBear

Hard flooring is noisy to walk on. Having underlay reduces the noise slightly and also reduces heat loss through the floor (but only a little). Bare pine boards can be cold and draughty if there are any gaps between the planks.

Emmia

What is your objection to LVT? It's hard wearing, warm underfoot and washable... Glue down is better than the click stuff. 

angelasocks

Thanks Emma yes seems a common theme on veneer thickness.  Not sure what thickness would be good.  3mm minimum?

I've nothing against LVT just personal taste really.  My friends have it and they love it. 

Freeboard thanks yes good point about noise. I don't usually wear heels round the house so prob not really a deal breaker.  Floorboards yes the draughtiness is one my doubts.  

Thanks again

AlexMac

Another vote for engineered wood boards.  We went for a "brushed and oiled" finish, with a grain and texture to it rather than a planed or sanded flat finish with a hard laquer.  Six or eight years on it still looks brilliant, and although we live on a dusty, semi-made up road with no pavements, it's been easy to clean and has never needed sanding or re-oiling!

When I was young, energetic and poor we stripped and sealed the original pine boards in a Victorian House, including lifting and shuffing the original boards to tighten gaps, and sourcing replacements from salvage yards, but that was hard work.  Turned out to be a false economy too; we had a few hours left on the rental of the heavy duty sander after finishing downstairs so we tried a bedroom.  The vibration above collapsed the old lath and plaster ceiling in our beautifullt re-decorated through lounge! 

angelasocks

Thanks Alex mac.  My first house was 100 years old My brother sanded floor boards and I stained and varnished. Lived there 15 years and the floor was still good.  

Sorry you're  ceiling collapsed pretty devastating. 

Joiner should be ringing this week so I'll see if he can suggest anything.

Thanks

greenbee

As far as I’m aware, the bamboo off-gassing has been dismissed as misinformation. The process is similar to other engineered flooring. I’ve had both horizontal and strandwoven bamboo floors and found them to work very well. I’ve also had bamboo worktops which are very heavy!

angelasocks

Thanks greenbee just ordered a couple of samples.  If the offgassing is misinfo it might be a compromise.  Lot of positive reviews on it being hard-wearing and low maintenance.  

I really am finding it difficult to make a decision.

Thanks for info