Ceramic Tiles v Laminate floor - conservatory - discuss please!

morganb

Hi; what is the best flooring for a conservatory? It's going to be fairly big (3.2 m x 4.8 m) and I want to choose the best kind of floor, durable, easy to clean etc. I prefer the look of ceramic tiles but is this going to be hard on my little ones if they fall on it? I would put down a biggish rug regardless of what I go for. Is laminate floor going to stand up to the job, I want to get at least ten years worth out if it if I can, as that's how old the carpets in the house are ....

Over to you guys, would be interested to hear what you think is best.

adandem

I would personally go for the tiles but with an underfloor heating as they would be very cold in the Winter I think? You can get some very tough laminate but it does contract and expand in heat/cold so it would need to be fitted well.

Hippygirl

I'm in the middle of making a similar decision - between tiles or wood - I think I've decided on wood. We are having underfloor heating. We have 2 dogs, so I'm not sure whether tiles would be easier to mop and keep clean. But I think wood will give a 'softer' effect and will feel warmer in winter, even tho it won't be any warmer...

jaspercat2002

We started off with this dilemma when we had our conservatory built and ended up going for Karndean in the end. A bit more forgiving when the children fell on it than tiles and quieter, easier to clean and more durable than laminate.

I know thats not what you asked really - sorry. But we never regretted it!

Zoe

moonrakerz

We have this in our conservatory.

http://www.flotex.co.uk/pages/home/

It is brilliant, it is warm to the feet and is VERY easy to keep clean. Would have this everytime.

Get a sample to try it.

jay_cee_2

I have tiles throughout my home and my view is awful, they are so cold in the winter, lowers the house temperature so much. When/if we move, then wooden flooring or carpet throughout.

morganb

Hadn't even thought about tiles lowering the temperature in the winter; as I am forking out a considerable amount of money on the conservatory I don't want to lay down something that will make me not want to use the room for a few months a year! Likewise had forgotten that laminate can be so noisy, as my whole house is either carpeted or vinyled ... Am off to look at Flotex and Karndean ... further suggestions very welcome.

moonrakerz

morganb wrote: »

... Am off to look at Flotex and Karndean ... further suggestions very welcome.

Have sent you a PM.

jillybobs

I'd go for one of the alternative options to laminate (mentioned above) rather than tiles. My SIL has just moved into house with tiled floors. My feet are freezing everytime we come home!!!!! I'm even thinking of getting some slippers to leave there. With Children, I don't think tiles would be too good.

Spendless

I thought I'd fallen off the old -style bandwagon years ago but I find I'm reading this thread thinking too cold, install underfloor heating, why not invest in a pair of slippers. I have been more than happy with the floor tiles in my conservatory. I have 2 children (aged 7 and 4)and it's not been a problem).

morganb

I know what you're saying Spendless ... no underfloor heating for me, can't afford it, but one of the 'quotes' includes 'free' laminate flooring ... I'm weighing it all up at the moment.