floating v engineered

[firsthomebuyer]

Hi all

Requesting any available help, opinions, advice, experience etc about the above topic. We are looking to get rid of the carpet and looking for a low allergy alternate. Wood seemed the obvious choice. Now the dilemma. Laminate or engineered. Wife thinks laminate because of kids, price, and not our forever home. I think engineered because of the finish, feel, sound (as opposed to the bouncey hollow sound of laminate)

I'd like to confirm her thought and mine with you wise ones and let me know the better outcome long term and also for resale of the home.

Also if anyone knows of a reputable floor layer in Brisbane (southside) who specialises in this type of flooring. Also, average prices for laying by pro.

[Sleeping Dog]

Firsthomebuyer

I absolutely agree, get rid of the carpet, when we ripped ours up it had a quarter inch of soil under it in places. we put the laminate product down in its place and yes, no matter how much you squinted or turned off the lights, it never fooled anybody into thinking it was actually timber... but it was cheap and hard-wearing and a fair answer for a house we were going to sell.

When we built our current place (our "forever" house) we went for solid timber floors in half the rooms and tiled the rest. They laid plastic sheeting over the concrete to stop any rising damp then ramsetted 12mm ply to the concrete and secret-nailed the flooring to that. It looks a million dollars but it was quite expensive.

I know this doesn't really answer your question but if I was renovating to sell again I would tile everything, it costs about the same as click flooring but is more permanent and you can get some really classy stuff these days at reasonable cost.( and investment buyers LOVE fully tiled - the tenants can't hurt them).

Sleepy

[firsthomebuyer]

Cheers sleepy

As for the resale we would probably keep it and rent out ourselves, so you are right when you say tiles would be the better hardwearing option. Any thoughts on what could go into the bedrooms, wife doesn't like tiled bedrooms.

What was your cost per metre for the timber floor?

[Honorary Bloke]

Laminate or engineered? Hmmm...

Considerations:

First off, both types of floors can "float," so that is really not a difference (Some engineered are glued down--I don't like that because someday you will want to do something else and I would rather pull nails from real timber floors than scrape glue :p ).

Better quality engineered can give you one sanding and refinishing before wearing through the veneer.

The U.S. Consumer Reports (a non-profit rater of consumer goods) recommends laminate over engineered for durability--a consideration if you have kids.

Floating floors are easy to install and easy to replace. Just like a simple puzzle.

True, laminate won't fool most people into thinking it is real wood, but it will retain its fit and finish longer than engineered.

Laminate is usually less expensive.

In a house I wasn't planning to stay in a long time, laminate would be my choice for the bedrooms and hallways, with tile for the remainder. for the longer haul, I would choose actual timber flooring. I can think of no occasion when I would choose engineered, but that's just me. :)

[Eli]

Hey guys, I'm doing the same decision.

Bob (and everyone), they have engineered floor here same as US, a laminate veneer over whatever unobtanium it is that ruins your saw blades.

But they also have an engineered flooring material that is SOLID wood, but with a factory finish on top. I hadn't seen that in the US. Performs like timber floor, looks like it, because it is. You can sand as many times as you could with natural timber. Of course you have to conventionally finish if you do.

I think I'm going to go with this. It's the same as putting in a solid wood floor, without the step of finishing it. The one @ Bunnings has a 20 year (I'm sure limited) guarantee on the finish.

Nothing's faster in than laminate though, and the bonus is it can come out fast when you don't like it.

I second skipping the adhesive, although not if you hate a creaky floor.

[DvdHntr]

Carpet is so much nicer. It is warmer in the winter and not hard for the kids to play on. If I had to have timber floors, I would stay away from laminates.

[Sleeping Dog]

What was your cost per metre for the timber floor?
when you are building a lot of figures are swirling through your head but from memory (bad, 5 years ago) I seem to recall it was around $75 - $80 per sq metre.

I'm happy to be corrected on that...

Sleepy

[glock40sw]

Boral Silkwood.

Forget the fake flooring.

Or solid wood 12mm overlay. you can direct stick to concrete or glue and nail to existing floor. only drawback is it needs to be sanded and sealed.
Our 12mm overlay production is being tested for a coated finished product.

[Connollys]

Go with the Boral Silkwood it is an excellent floor. There a large range of Australian species in two grades. For a local suppliier visit the boral timber website there is section for locating a retailer.

Cheers :2tsup:

[Honorary Bloke]

But they also have an engineered flooring material that is SOLID wood, but with a factory finish on top. I hadn't seen that in the US. Performs like timber floor, looks like it, because it is. You can sand as many times as you could with natural timber. Of course you have to conventionally finish if you do. .

Ahhh, OK. We have that too, recently introduced, but they call it Factory Pre-finished and sell it as solid timber flooring. It is good stuff. Comes in an amazing variety of species and finishes. Highly recommended.
:)

[forthosewhorock]

Laminate flooring is somewhat over rated if you are expecting your kids not to scratch it also if your kids spill something on it wipe it up quickly as it swells therefore not waterproof. Laminate flooring is made of MDF. We chose Allure Vinyl flooring exclusive to harvey norman, life time warranty on product and 25 years on installation if done by professional. 100% water proof so it will never swell like laminate floors. and is cheaper. Can lay straight over wood, tiles, lino, ect even heard of people putting it outdoors on the old pavers. Anyway check it out. Oh no glueing it is a floating floor so repair and replacement is easy.:2tsup:

[123]

You will have to remember that unless it is a good laminate, whoever buys the house will be thinking (must get rid of that, and that will kick off the negotiating.) Laminates are very good, only if it is a good reputable brand, don't go to bunnings, Harvey Norman or the like. Quickstep laminates would be a huge recommendation.

Forthosewhorock - these laminates are made with HDF. and are water resistant if you go for the Quickstep 800 series.

If budget allows though, go for a Pre finished engineered floor, like Silkwood or Readyflor, these can be resanded 1 - 2 times (generally requires this every 10 - 12 years) and look very good. Structurally they are also very reliable. (less movement's etc.)

Hope this helps!