Laminate flooring - how to stop scratches?

Bollards

Hello,
We are having new laminate flooring installed next week following an unfortunate accident with the washing machine and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way of protecting it from scratching? The existing laminate has got scratched up around the legs of the dining chairs where they are moved in and out from the table. The new laminate we have chosen is "industrial strength", as in suitable for offices and high traffic areas, and also more rustic looking, so I'm hoping that it will be better and more forgiving than the existing which has probably been down for about 7 or 8 years (before we moved in there). Do I need to put something on the legs of the chairs to help?
Thanks.

adandem

Hi,
There is very little you can do to the floor but you can put those little felt pads on the chair legs.
We have the more heavy duty laminate and also have pets and it isn't scratched after 4 years. It may be worth checking/removing shoes as grit can be carried in and it can cause scratches if caught under furniture/doors etc.
We would really like a wooden floor but are holding back as I've heard that it will scratch easier than laminate.

weekendwarrior

Glides are much better than felt pads IMHO

These will stop any scratches caused by furniture-

Here is how to use them-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/laminate_flooring/laminate_flooring_basics.htm

Here is where you can get them-

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14907/Fixings/Furniture-Fixings/Nail-In-Glide-19mm

Bollards

weekendwarrior wrote: »

Glides are much better than felt pads IMHO

These will stop any scratches caused by furniture-

Here is how to use them-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/laminate_flooring/laminate_flooring_basics.htm

Here is where you can get them-

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14907/Fixings/Furniture-Fixings/Nail-In-Glide-19mm

Like the look of them and they are cheap too!
Thanks for your help.

weekendwarrior

You are welcome.

I have used those glides in several houses with no problems at all

nalyo

weekendwarrior wrote: »

Glides are much better than felt pads IMHO

These will stop any scratches caused by furniture-

Here is how to use them-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/laminate_flooring/laminate_flooring_basics.htm

Here is where you can get them-

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/14907/Fixings/Furniture-Fixings/Nail-In-Glide-19mm

thanks these look good. Ill bear them in mind as i have always used felt and they are a bit !!!!!! as the adhesive comes off easily.

Poppycat

They also sell glides in B&Q saw them yesterday.

I have seen a product couple of days back that is designed for scratches in laminate never heard of the product or company but it was in Boyes store

moonrakerz

nalyo wrote: »

Ill bear them in mind as i have always used felt and they are a bit !!!!!! as the adhesive comes off easily.

Agree about the felt pads, I used bits of left over Flotex and Evostik, works very well, haven't come off yet.

ajtrader100

Bollards wrote: »

Hello,
We are having new laminate flooring installed next week following an unfortunate accident with the washing machine and I was wondering if anyone knew of a way of protecting it from scratching? The existing laminate has got scratched up around the legs of the dining chairs where they are moved in and out from the table. The new laminate we have chosen is "industrial strength", as in suitable for offices and high traffic areas, and also more rustic looking, so I'm hoping that it will be better and more forgiving than the existing which has probably been down for about 7 or 8 years (before we moved in there). Do I need to put something on the legs of the chairs to help?
Thanks.

What make are you getting? Some advice, get a barrier mat, like coir matting at entrances to the house to stop stones and grit. Make sure that people who are wearing high heels dont have the metal showing through as this will mark any floor, not just laminates.

Use felt pads on chairs, tables and sofa, also use castor cup on any chairs with roller castor.

Also when you get your floor ask for a repair putty just in case you do get a scratch or mark then you can just paint it in with the matching colour.