Solid Wood or Laminate

[Kimberley]

Just throwing this past you, I inherited laminate flooring when I moved house, but its not the best quality and I'm not sure how long its been down. Not sure if I should replace it with more laminate or go for the real wood flooring. I know this is a major difference in price, but I rather have the best than have to replace a couple of years down the line.

[jean]

If I could afford it Id go for real wooden floorboards as they can be sanded down again and again and last forever.

[Gwen]

I looked into doing my ground floor a few months ago and eventually settled for a decent quality laminate rather than the solid floor idea because it's harder wearing. My heels and Mali's claws would have wrecked the solid wood floor.

Having said that, I went with carpet in the end because with my F-I-L living here, a dog and two young kids, I couldn't cope with the four days of disruption that laying the laminate would have caused.

[Kimberley]

If I could afford it Id go for real wooden floorboards as they can be sanded down again and again and last forever.

I know they are costly.

[Meerkat]

ooo i would love a real wooden floor

My carpet has been down since before we bought the house and is thread bare now in places, but am holding off doing anything till the pup has finished toilet training etc (and we have found some money to do it that is )

[Kimberley]

I looked into doing my ground floor a few months ago and eventually settled for a decent quality laminate rather than the solid floor idea because it's harder wearing. My heels and Mali's claws would have wrecked the solid wood floor.

Having said that, I went with carpet in the end because with my F-I-L living here, a dog and two young kids, I couldn't cope with the four days of disruption that laying the laminate would have caused.

I think I would like carpet back in the lounge, because the laminate makes it feel cold. but the hall and the dining room needs something better than what is down, it must be the cheapest grade. Might just look towards a better quality laminate.

[fangedwolf]

I would say real wood if you can afford it because with laminate, if you scratch it, it stays scratched, with wood you can always sand it. It has far more longevity than laminate. Also many laminate end up looking a bit cheap.

[Kimberley]

I would say real wood if you can afford it because with laminate, if you scratch it, it stays scratched, with wood you can always sand it. It has far more longevity than laminate. Also many laminate end up looking a bit cheap.

Thanks for that, I might just look at my dining room first, then I can work out how much the hall and lounge will no me back. The laminate in the dining room has lost its shine. Thats on the agenda when I come back of holiday.

[Fluffy]

I had real wood put down in the shop,it,s so lovely,as said,you can sand it down and re-varnish,i had it because of the traffic that comes through,laminate would not have lasted xx

[Kimberley]

I had real wood put down in the shop,it,s so lovely,as said,you can sand it down and re-varnish,i had it because of the traffic that comes through,laminate would not have lasted xx

Thanks for that fluff, I want something thats going to last, not laminate that would have to be replaced again a few years down the line, false economy, rather pay the extra.

[Fluffy]

Mines been down 8yrs now:059:x

[mrsk]

We have a good laminate that has been down for over 7 years and is good as new. Saying that I would love real wood if we could afford it as it is just gorgeous :)

[Tanya]

I'd go for hardwood every time over laminate if there was no cost factor :044: You can get floorboards from reclamation yards at a cheaper price than new sometimes....they may need sanding etc, but can also have a lovely aged look about them already ;)

[Kimberley]

I'd go for hardwood every time over laminate if there was no cost factor :044: You can get floorboards from reclamation yards at a cheaper price than new sometimes....they may need sanding etc, but can also have a lovely aged look about them already ;)

Never gave that a thought.