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We are looking to change our carpet as the kids and spills have made it very nasty. We have been looking at wood but can't seem to get impartial advice on which type to go for.
I need something very hardwearing that is not slippy. Any ideas on what would be best, laminate, real wood or bamboo? Or would you stick with carpet for warmth and get it scotch guarded?
Any advice greatfully received.
Thanks tact77
phantos02
26-10-05, 11:13 PM
Hmmm that's a good one tact. There are pros and cons to all flooring I think.
When we bought our flat part of what attracted us was the fact that all the original floorboards were exposed and it looked great. However, a couple of weeks of clonking around on wood in my noisy boots made us think again. Christ knows what it must have sounded like in the flat downstairs (but luckily there was no-one living there then). Plus where the floorboards were over 100 years old they had shrunk and had huge drafty gaps in between. We are talking almost a centimetere gap in some places so stiletto heels were a no no! So we got the whole place except the kitchen and stairs carpeted - it's warm underfoot and less noisy. It felt really luxurious when we first had it done - finally I could walk around in socks or bare feet!
When we move to our new place I might consider wood flooring again downstairs as we now have a cat and I find the cat hair difficult to get out of the carpet. A smooth surface would mean I could just sweep it. However it would have to be really good quality stuff, I can't stand that cheapo laminate stuff I think it looks awful. It can mark and scratch much easier than you think, plus it's advertised as being easy to lay but I have seen so many houses where it has been done terribly. If we could afford it I would get a company in to lay nice real wood flooring, something really hardwearing, and get it done properly.
In the short term - have you had the existing carpets shampooed? My friends did that in their flat and it was amazing how much dirt came out - it looked like they had new carpet laid.
I'm not sure how good scotchguarding is - can it repel almost anything?
Hi P
The cream my little one spread all over the floor will not come off with cleaner. So it now looks smeary.
On the wood side we would have to have someone in to fit it as we are not very DIY minding! Any idea what type of wood is the most hardwearing as everyone in the wood business I have spoken to claims theirs is.
I have never had scotchguard before so I am not sure but in my house is needs to be able to repel a variety of kids accidents. :bigeyes:
sapphirelily10
27-10-05, 03:36 AM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(phantos02 @ 26th October 2005 - 10:13 PM) 139215</div>
I'm not sure how good scotchguarding is - can it repel almost anything?
[/b]
Scotchgard™ FAQ's >>>here (http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scotchgard/carpet_diy_protector.jhtml), for the record ;)
Sapph :)
Got to be honest, I love carpets, so warm and cosy, also with having the dogs, laminate for us is no good as it'd mean broken legs and upset greyhounds :( We had it when we bought this house and ripped it up within 3 days.
We've a cream carpet in the kitchen, where the dogs are and where we all walk in, and it's really clean! All I do is wipe the dogs before they come in :lol: (truly!) and we also get a local guy to come and give it a good clean twice a year, costs £23 which isn't bad for an 18ft long kitchen.
We've also a black carpet in the lounge, and people said "that'll show the dirt" it doesn't we Dyson every day - 3 times in the kitchen (but I am fussy!) :lol:
hi tact
a little tip if you go to a diy outlet to look at wooden flooring check the pieces on display if they are marked you can bet your life someone has run a key along it to test it ive seen many a person do this
laminate or wooden flooring definatley amplifies noise especially if you dont lay a decent underlay
it looks nice is easy to clean with a duster and spills and marks can be rubbed off with a piece of damp kitchen towel
its cool in the summer but feels cold in the winter i have a wooden floor in the lounge
i think on reflection that i miss the luxury of carpet underfoot :blush:
phantos02
27-10-05, 11:46 AM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(banana @ 26th October 2005 - 11:53 PM) 139219</div> If you look at the novilon nova range - we had the chevron pattern. [/b]
Wow banana I will definitely bear that in mind once we have moved - they have a great range of realistic looking stuff!
Annabel
27-10-05, 12:49 PM
I have laminate floor in my living room and hall way and i really hate it, it has chips and scratches on it and i hate people wlaking on it in shoes - clomp clomp clomp... :blink:
cant wait to put carpet down! my living room is quite large so i really do need a carpet to bring a cosy look to the room...if your room is smallish you could put a wooden floor down with a lovely rug on top.
i might still have laminate or wood florring in the hallway for purely practical reasons, but even then i would still have a runner as well.
i like the more dark wood floors - the lighter laminates have gone out of fashion I think now.... :banghead:
I have seen and spoken to more florring people and am now more confused than when I started.
Some tell me to get laminate but most of the others are telling me to get Amtico but at 100.00 per square meter I don't think so!
Banana I have been looking at the website you suggested and I am going to try and track down a local supplier and get them to visit. So thanks..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dibuzz @ 27th October 2005 - 12:22 PM) 139255</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tact77 @ 27th October 2005 - 12:19 PM) 139254
Some tell me to get laminate but most of the others are telling me to get Amtico but at 100.00 per square meter I don't think so!
[/b]
:bigeyes: unless you can teach your kids to float I wouldn't :lol: [/b][/quote]
:hihi: :hihi:
Thanks again banana. I will go to allied tomorrow. We are trying (and trying is the word) to decorate our lounge. Mr T and I are not very good at DIY and its a nightmare. His only imput has been we need a LCD telly!
Banana just think of your house as pratice for when you get the one you really want. The one without the NFH.
Banana, I have decided to go with the vinyl. I will let you know how it looks when i have it laid.
Now for the fireplace... :blink:
Banana, thanks for the advice it looks GREAT!!!!!
I recommend this to anyone it looks just like wood and is really hard wearing.
Its fab!
banana, whats the best thing to use to clean it with?