Engineered wood ? Laminated floor? Bamboo ?

[JulieW]

We are refurbishing our new house and need to get new floors for the leaving/dining room and master bedroom. Any advice ? We have 2 young children so it must be easy to clean but I also want something that looks nice. Any advice welcome. Thanks !!

[EDmummy]

Of course depends on budget but we went for Brazilian Cherry engineered wood because having natural cheery wood boards was infinetly more expensive. The effect is gorgeous and very different to the oak boards most people go for. Very rich and sumptuous. Influenced by me being Australian and wanting to recreate an Aussie Jarrah look. Looks great in sunlight but equally cosy in winter. Couldn't have recreated look without using engineered would unless we trippled budget.

[Fly]

Engineered.

[RoLo1]

We've have solid oak floor (from Lordship Lane Carpets), engineered wood (from Wood4Floors Forest Hill, a bit more reasonable), and even laminate (Ikea) in a bathroom. We also now have engineered Bamboo, which has a much thicker top layer than oak (?18 v ?50 a sq m for thick oak). Bamboo has taken me a while to get used to, but does have a very nice warmth, so worth getting a sample sent to you so you can see what you think (Simply Bamboo online).

So while the laminate won't last as long, it is cheaper (as a carpenter described it, it's like having a photocopy of wood on the top), so depends on your priorities ultimately.

[snowboarder]

We have karndean - vinyl planks - throughout our ground floor - it is great - no maintenance, no scratches despite heavy use by two young boys and their toys. Would recommend.

[bonaome]

We had bamboo in the office. It was forever being scratched and ended up looking awful. It was nice flooring though so it depends on where you have it - I'd out it in a bathroom or bedroom, but nowhere high traffic. Engineered something other than bamboo for that.

[JulieW]

Thank you all for the useful tips :)