Hi all, Bit of a flooring noob here, so hopefully you can steer me in the right direction! We're looking at picking the floor and fitter for our new build in the next while. The boss has decided she want herringbone in the downstairs hall, sitting room and kitchen. As the title suggests, I'm just wondering what people's thoughts are on the type of flooring. While price is a factor, if the poeople think solid wood is the way to go then we'll be able to manage it somehow (beans on toast from now until we move in) From what I've read the advantage of laminate would be that it's usually harder-wearing, easier to clean, little maintenance and cheaper. I was talking to one fitter and said he'd be reluctant to recommend a laminate herringbone as it looks more artificial (when compared to plank laminate) and because there are a large number of joints, it can lead to issues (especially in a kitchen where there are heavy appliances, furniture etc.) even when its been fitted correctly (quality underlay and expansion) Is there truth in that? How long would you expect a laminate to last based on the use case above? I know the solid/engineered wood is more susceptible to impact damage, staining and scratches etc. so would probably need to be sanded and resealed every 3 (?) years or so? If the laminate could last 8 (?) years would it make more sense to just to go with that and replace when required instead of needing to sand and refinish a solid/engineered floor as well as having to worry about any wine spills etc.? Given the choice what would you advise? Thanks!
For me Karndean parquet would be the best. That is a LVT ( luxury vinyl tile ) If going for a laminate I’d say get quickstep impressive as water proof and can take a bashing. Buy I do like Engineered as well
Have you looked at LVT It’s low maintenance Doesn’t require sanding or treatments and is naturally warmer and quieter than wood or laminate and many come with very long ware guarantees some up to 35 years
Up until 5 minutes ago I never really considered it - seems like its advanced quite a bit. I'll drop into a showroom or two tomorrow and check it out. Is it quite obvious its not wood?
Some look amazing now. Research some of these LVT Parquet Karndean art select Distinctive Moduleo Project floors. I’ll put a few pics up for you
Spacia does parquet. Only came out recently. Same price as plank fitting some this week looks great. Sierra also does a nice herringbone only 2 colours but good value.
You mean Form not Spacia If my customers want parquet LVT and nothing from produced samples catches their eyes Then I can offer anything they like from any manufacturer in either wood or stone in any available colour or colours and any size they want wether its Pleated herringbone, chevron herringbone, double herringbone, two colour double T herringbone ect ect.., That’s the joy of LVT The possibilities are limitless If They want it they can have it
No spacia do parquet too. Have the samples in the shop. Fitting sunbleached oak this week. Come in large or small plank off the shelf. They launched 10 colours or so in December. Priced up a van Gough job in herringbone the cutting charge was eye watering. And unbeveled parquet doesn't look great.
I cut everything my self and bevel it’s cheaper for me an the customer And no never seen Spacia parquet Only Form
I’m not a massive fan of the herringbone laminate, the joins are not great. If you don’t like the plastic look you get from laminate be carful of going down the LvT route. Some of them can look a bit artificial especially when the light reflect of them. Depending on the type of finish you may not be able to sand and refinish a engineered block but most probably come with a long guarantee and need very little maintenance. One advantage with solid is you will be able to sand and re seal as much as you like. If it’s oiled you barely have to sand it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Solid herringbone is beautiful. Cheap lvts look like plastic. You pay for something premium and it looks great. We just matched Artselect to a ladies existing real wood floor. You couldn't see a difference in the end product.
I love fitting the art select, black is the most popular for me at the min, alot of my asian customers tend to go dark.
I wasn’t impressed with one of the dark art select boards. Supplied and fitted a hallway for a customer a few years back and their child managed to put a scuff across the pu finish dragging a case across it. They were not happy about it. Same would of happened with a woodfloor but probably not a laminate. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A scuff or a scratch? A scuff normally comes off with the cleaner and an Amtico abrasive pad. I think the biggest problem with LVT is when its sold as bulletproof. I tell my customers it's not, but it is repairable or easy to replace a plank if required.
I prefer engineered prefinished herringbone personally. It can be resanded but you save on some of the initial finishing costs. Stick down as opposed to floating
