Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Apr 28, 2007 3:29 pm I am stuck trying to decide either timber floating floors or laminates.
I can only think (with my very limited knowledge of either option) that it will be for purely aesthetic reasons to put timber floorboards plus it provides the option to re-sand them later on. I have also noticed how laminates nowadays also have an artificial grain on the surface as I had the impressions all along that there aren't texture felt on the surface of laminates. Anyone with opinions with how they differ base on durability maybe, or tips/advise to help with my decision ? Re: Timber floating floor vs laminate 2Apr 28, 2007 5:40 pm Briefly,
One consideration is that the timber boards are thicker (around 15-20mm) whereas the laminates are thinner (around 10mm). Maybe not a big deal, but it may be a factor, depending on the surfaces it interfaces with. Thicker types may require ramping from lower floors, adding cost. Often, the laminates are a bit harder. Timber naturally looks more natural. Ash. Re: Timber floating floor vs laminate 3Apr 28, 2007 10:10 pm Thanks for the tip Ash.
Do you know if laminates are noisier to walk on compared to floating timber floors? And if so, will there be a huge difference in sound? royalblue Briefly, One consideration is that the timber boards are thicker (around 15-20mm) whereas the laminates are thinner (around 10mm). Maybe not a big deal, but it may be a factor, depending on the surfaces it interfaces with. Thicker types may require ramping from lower floors, adding cost. Often, the laminates are a bit harder. Timber naturally looks more natural. Ash. Re: Timber floating floor vs laminate 4Apr 28, 2007 10:50 pm After floating floors became popular, the noise factor has become an unwanted feature of many of these floors. Some can be very echoey!
I'm not sure, but I think the thicker timber type will be quieter than most laminates. The cheaper laminates will be worst. A guy I know that fits these floors says that newer type of underlays are much better than the earlier types for suppressing the sound. Do your homework and check out floors already installed. Ash. Re: Timber floating floor vs laminate 5Jan 07, 2008 1:04 pm I would suggest floating floors anyday over laminates. They look great feel great and with the newer underlays very comfortable to walk on. The only worry you have there is water. If you spill and don't clean quick you may find you would have to replace that section on the floor.
Echo is another issue with floating floors. Hope it helps. ReadyFlor is a good brand. We are building and going to used 2 strip Jarrah for our floors. Re: Timber floating floor vs laminate 6Jan 08, 2008 11:09 pm kevin I am stuck trying to decide either timber floating floors or laminates. I can only think (with my very limited knowledge of either option) that it will be for purely aesthetic reasons to put timber floorboards plus it provides the option to re-sand them later on. I have also noticed how laminates nowadays also have an artificial grain on the surface as I had the impressions all along that there aren't texture felt on the surface of laminates. Anyone with opinions with how they differ base on durability maybe, or tips/advise to help with my decision ? Hi Kevin Timber floating floors are thicker as mentioned earlier which allows for repeated resanding. Laminate floors IMO are not up to scratch (literally). My parents purchased laminate flooring when they bought their new house and the scratches are so bad they are replacing their entire l/l floor after 5 years. Admittedly there are different qualities of laminate flooring around but I would check the guarantee and make sure you are getting a good quality laminate if you go with this option. Re: Timber floating floor vs laminate 7Jan 09, 2008 7:30 am "Timber floating floors are thicker as mentioned earlier which allows for repeated resanding"
I think you can only resand twice a good floating timber floor. Re: Timber floating floor vs laminate 8May 10, 2008 10:06 pm Regarding durability, definitely laminate flooring is much better than harwood flooring as its surface is much more wear resistant. However, inead laminate flooring is of a HDF or MDF flooring. It can't offer you the real feel of hardwood. Thanks Simon, I guess I'm no concerned with the volume of the noise rather that dead and hollow sound and feel that is associated with floating floors. But I'm not sure… 3 6166 Thanks, that's the motivation I needed to give it a try sooner rather than one day! 4 3022 To put anything over slate you will need to put self level compound over the entire area as slate various in thickness and is very un even. To install most types of… 1 420 |