Advice on whether to buy Laminate flooring. (Will look so much better than carpet in my bedroom)

B&Q are currently doing a floormaster 'Special Offer' works out at about £5 a square metre. The planks are crap (6.5mm) but you gets what you pay for. I'm probably moving in the next 6 months so... Thing is I can't help thinking its gonna feel so poor to walk on, and knowing my luck i'll probably still be living with it in two years time. Anyone had any experience at the budget end, planks are very light, come with a 10 year guarantee, but only recommended for light domestic use. Floor could be flatter, but its probably better than the last room i did, though that was with more expensive 'heavier' planks.

i got some glueless from floors to go and homebase for around that,and it was easy to fit. i did try some b&q stuff but that required glue (not sure if it is the same now though) and was more difficult.

donutman

The B&Q stuff doesn't need glue, what do you think of yours now its down. I'm just worried cos its half the normal price of anything else they sell, albeit because its some sort of promotional offer.

donutman

The B&Q stuff doesn't need glue, what do you think of yours now its down. I'm just worried cos its half the normal price of anything else they sell, albeit because its some sort of promotional offer.

yeah looks quite good,i did put the better underlay under it, mine is rated for a lounge (light to heavy domestic). quite easy with one of there fitting kits (about £8) a bar for knocking up the boards and some spacers for the edge. just don't overknock them together else you will get a slightly raised edge, which you will catch and it will any you. and don't forget to leave in your room for a few days.

I've just done my 12'x7' kitchen.... only took 6 hours! lol


I bought the OAK laminate floor from Floors 2 Go

£18.59 a pack.. 10 planks in a pack too... only needed 3 box's + one more box as i was two planks short ;)

I'll post pick of the floor in a bit.


its good quality and and has very easy snap lock on it.. even waxed edges for extra moister protection!!

Phil

heres the pix

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1612133&outx=600&oq=0

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1612135&outx=600&oq=0

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1612136&outx=600&oq=0

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1612137&outx=600&oq=0

dead dead easy to put dowm.. and i've never done it before! :)

Phil

If eney one needs advice only 2 happey 2 advise .
Woody joiner .

Phil, looks great mate, dont fancy doing my lounge do you? ;)

Where's this Floors 2 Go place?

Floors-2-go (http://www.floors2go.co.uk/)

Stefan

Ta :D

Great tip if laying laminate flooring and you have a short pile carpet. Why spent loads of cash on underlay just lay straight onto carpet, worked a treat in my gaff. Keeps noise down and increases insulation. B&Q cheap flooring goes the job. Second tip is to trim the short edges lip as it can be a bu**er to clip together.

Very important when fitting a wooden floor,

You need to leave a 15-20mm gap around the perimeter of the floor to allow for movement which it will do.
Then fix a beading around the entire skirting board to close the gap off.
The floor will expand and extract with different temps.
You must leave a gap or the whole floor will just lift in time.

Hope this helps
Sean

Don't different woods expand at different rates, eg soft wood more willing to expand than than hard wood? :confused: Also doesn't wood only expand across the grain?

They say that unless you are laying a floor area of more than 12ft * 12ft then you don't need to leave a gap around the edges. I've done several now and they have never lifted nor moved in over 2 years.

& i still like the good stuff but then i am biased <cough>Amtico;)</cough> but you should aclimatise whatever yer laying in the room it's to be laid for a good day+
Si

Is laminate flooring any good in a bathroom? I've been thinking about laying some, but am a bit worried as to how it reacts to the humidity.

Tony,

Yes you can, but it has to support use in Bathrooms. The std stuff is usualyy guaranteed for most rooms, except the bathroom due to humidity.

So, just make sure you pick stuff suitable for bathroom use and you'll be fine.

Stefan

Cheers Stefan, I'll make sure I check the usage carefully. Guess I'll be lurking round the DIY stores this weekend then.

can only speak from an amtico point of view & as far as my knowledge extends but the real killer is humidity/water from under the floor & any layer worth his salt will check the floor before even contemplating laying as an example even relatively recently laid concrete or if there was any mishaps (read slaker builders;)) with say damp proof membrane then this can cause issues & similarly any leaky windows or piping can make make laying a very bad idea & as a note Amtico floor layers cannot lay in such conditions otherwise we we become responsible & have to adhere to the guarantee (20 year residential as i recall...)
basically moisture from below will eventually wana get out thru the floor/adhesive & balls it up but that's enough of the bad news if flooring is sound then yer basically good to go & you should have no problems it's great. On wood you should also ensure you use a "WBP" (weather & boil proof) plywood to lay onto.
Anyway i can dig out more specific fiures etc if you want but that's a very basic guide & as long as you prepare properly then you should have no problems. If a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well & all that...;)
Si

Tony,

We've fitted Karndean planking in the bathroom. It's basically textured vinyl planking rather than a laminate but it's bloody convincing.

Amtico is, apparently, the daddy when it comes to this stuff - or at least that's what Scooby Si tells me :D
Cheers,
Nick.

yeah & made in the UK not like that nasty cheap import stuff :p lol ;)
Si

& only Amtico is 100% PVC :D
Si (should work in sales ;)lol)

Stay away from the new cheap Bamboo flooring. Expect major problems with it....

Just remember to take your skirting boards off, fit flush with the wall and then put your skirting back on.

Cause after you put it down it WILL have some movement, and if you fit it flush to the skirting you'll end up with gaps.

:D

W730 product code is bamboo effect if you wanted the look thou ;) lol
Si

[Edited by scooby_si - 12/30/2003 12:11:39 PM]

just been back to FLOORS 2 GO to get more of the same flooring i used the the kitchen. need another 5 pacs to to the lounge..
they have a sale on ENDS TODAY.... guess what.. the floor i have.. its NOT in the sale!

typical!

Phil

What's the advice/rule when working out which direction to lay the floor?.

I'm thinking of doing our long, thin hall (9m x 1.5m) and living room (6m x 5m).

Stefan

what size tiles/planks are you suing & if planks how are you planning to lay them, ie parrallel or er cant think of the term now kinda diagonal perpendicular to each other, ah bugger there are various options but depends largely on what size we're talking bout & what floats yer bota but if yer talkin long planks then kinda parrallel may look best.....:confused:
Si

this is the kinda thing i ment if u have small planks:
http://www.amtico.co.uk/imagery/613.jpg
& various other uns for an idea can look good parallel or perpendicular:
http://www.amtico.co.uk/imagery/35.jpg
http://www.amtico.co.uk/imagery/451.jpg
dunno if that's kinda ideas yer looking for but there a few more like that & more complicated & otherwsise on amitco site ;)
Si