Considering laminate flooring.

[the_worrier]

Bought house at end of Sep 22. Ripped up smelly old carpets. Knocked a few walls down, inserted RSJ’s, plastering and electrics nearly complete. Multi-fuel burner going in living room fireplace in about 10 days.

Kitchen/diner floor is concrete (I ripped up the old wooden floor covering as in a terrible state) and level (bar one corner which was a small utility so will lay a screed). Living room is floor boards (some bounce detected but not severe).

Want to lay a laminate through from living room to kitchen / diner. What is a good quality brand? Appreciate advice.

 

[Reuben klang]

Karndean.

 

[Ad_Augendae]

We just used Novocore in our Kitchen, it needs to be within 5mm over 3 meter. In other words, if it ain't perfectly flat.. don't bother!

"This superior luxury vinyl click flooring is the perfect solution for any room in your home. Not only does it contain 70% limestone for enhanced durability, it's 100% waterproof, pet-friendly and easy to fit."

 

[qbazdz]

What is your sqm budget?
There is details like water resistance, appearance likeness to wood, plank size, hardwearing etc that will all influence your choice.
You need to budget in for decent underlay too.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

Like with new carpet, the underlay materials used underneath the laminate are just as important to the final fit and feel of the flooring as laminate itself.

Don‘t cheap out as you’ll regret it every time you walk on it.

 

[UTT]

We've just put down about 44m2 of 12mm light oak from howdens and it's pretty good stuff

 

[dirtychinchilla]

Karndean.

I hate it. I'm really missing wood. The diffrence is immeasurable.

 

[sovietspybob]

I hate it. I'm really missing wood. The diffrence is immeasurable.

I'm the opposite, we've got engineered oak floor and it's been a right pain compared to laminate. i wish we'd have got Karndean instead.

 

[martin363]

I'm the opposite, we've got engineered oak floor and it's been a right pain compared to laminate. i wish we'd have got Karndean instead.

We are the same. Used to have Engineered oak, was fine, but creaked etc. now have Karndean, on a concrete floor, and it is much better.

That said, as mentioned u must have a flat sub floor, and proper installation.

 

[Buffman]

If it is a long expanse I would consider glue down luxury vinyl tiles, karndean /similar. I believe most laminates / engineered oaks don't allow for significant spans across multiple different sub floors as you are indicating.

 

[dirtychinchilla]

Fair enough! I never had a single problem with ours and really don't like the feel of karndean, but each to their own.

 

[Mason-]

I’ve got amtico in my hallway and lounge and I really like the feel of it. Much easier to clean/care for too.

 

[Buffman]

Fair enough! I never had a single problem with ours and really don't like the feel of karndean, but each to their own.

I think theyve all got plusses /minuses
I've got
Real wood beech flooring
Cheap laminate
"luxury" vinyl tiles
Porcelain tiles in bathrooms

I don't think it's a shut case for any/all. Only thing I would say is cheap engineered wood has the negative of being easy to scratch, but can't be easily sanded/restored like real wood

 

[thebandit]

In my last place I did the whole downstairs with engineered oak from wood and beyond online. The finished result looked stunning and the boards I thought were really decent quality. We did ditch the "free" underlay they provided on recommendation of the fitter at the time and bought much better stuff, I was very happy with the feel after.
Note, laminate is a little more tolerant to variation in the subfloor than Karndean / Amtico etc but will still need the subfloor levelled if its got significant slope anywhere.

 

[the_worrier]

Karndean.

Had quote. £5500. Can’t afford it.

 

[Relentless81]

Project Floors luxury vinyl here on screeded concrete floors, 5 years in and wearing well

 

[Coran]

Whilst you’ve got the living room floor up, check it’s insulated if it’s an older house.

Karndean & Amtico are the two big (& expensive) brands in LVT. Amtico is made in the UK, I think, which pushed me that way. However, I ended up going for a cheaper engineered oak. Amtico costs looked like they were going to start adding up with the adhesive and requiring an Amtico approved fitter.

It sounds like your budget won’t stretch, but underfloor heating is a great addition, if you can afford it and have taken/are taking the floors up.

 

[DiscoKandy]

Was apprehensive to install laminate in our kitchen, however fitted Quickstep c6 years ago and I can't find a single spot of wear or damage on it - very impressed

 

[IvanDobskey]

Keeping an eye on this thread as I want new flooring for my office to replace manky carpet. I recently did my bathroom floor with Novocore luxury vinyl planks and I'm very pleased with the result. But was thinking more towards engineered wood for the office.

 

[peterwalkley]

Was apprehensive to install laminate in our kitchen, however fitted Quickstep c6 years ago and I can't find a single spot of wear or damage on it - very impressed

+1

Quick step has been down in our hall for ~15 years and all good still, no signs of wear - although we've got a big non-slip mat by the front door to absorb wet shoe and mud mess. Its the highest traffic area of the house (front door, kitchen, downstairs loo, bottom of stairs and doors to my home office and living room).

Also have it in conservatory, but nothing like as heavily used.