Wooden floors

[thewillow]

Anyone out there know owt about wooden floors? I want to get a couple of people in to quote for putting down wooden floors in my apartment but I have no idea what questions to ask. I think I want to get solid floors. I get the impression you shouldn't get them in kitchens and bathrooms. But apart from that I'm clueless. Is is normal to replace skirting boards? Help!! Thank you.

[Jocasta]

It depends on how much money you have...if you get solid wood (or wood blocks made from oak etc ) it can be very expensive, whereas laminate (from B&Q etc) can look good and be relatively cheap. You shouldn't have to get your skirting boards replaced unless they are completely 'wrong' with woods floors. Btw, you mentioned 'apartment' if you are living above someone you may have to check your Leasehold as some leases say that you cannot have wood floors as they are too noisy for the people below. .... also, if you do want wooden floors I would say that the Bathroom and Kitchen are the best places to put them. Good luck

[BenDToy]

Solid wooden floors are very expensive, and have to be laid on to beams, or sold floors such as concrete, not on to existing floor boards. There are 2 types of laminate, both of which are available as click conenction (no glue) or glue together. The first type has a printed layer on top, and is much cheaper (up to about �10/m). The second type has a real wood layer on top and is more expensive (�20/m +). Both kinds of laminate are "floating" floors, and can be laid on top of existing floorboards. It is best to replace skirting but not "normal". You buy a small triangular adging strip which is fixed to the skrting, and the floor goes underneath it, leaving space between the skirting and floor edge to allow movement (eg expansion). Go to a specialist flooring shop and ask advice. They usually have a list of installers who will do the laying for you (It isn't too expensive). Good luck!

[thewillow]

Thank you guys.

[Karndean]

Yes. Wooden floors look great however they have a lot of disavantages. They can ; crack, shake, split, warp, shrink, lift and need tlc and lots of costly maintenance.You acn have a karndean floor that looks like the real thing but does none of the above plus it is suitable for any location even wet areas. Priced from an amazing �19.99m2 inc Vat you cant go wrong. Visit www.prestontoday.net and click on the Karndean/Harwoods Banner and give us a call. Richard.