Hi all,
Any thoughts or advice on the makes of laminate flooring to avoid, and 
why ? or alternatively, which ones can be recommended ?  We're talking 
about ripping up old carpeting the hall, and replacing it with laminate...

Thanks a million

Patrick in Newcastle

On Sun, 07 Aug 2005 20:14:25 GMT, pat  wrote:


>Hi all,
>Any thoughts or advice on the makes of laminate flooring to avoid, and 
>why ? or alternatively, which ones can be recommended ?  We're talking 
>about ripping up old carpeting the hall, and replacing it with laminate...
>
>Thanks a million
>
>Patrick in Newcastle


IMHO  very light and very dark colours tend to look cheap. The red
cherry effect at B+Q is a mid colour and looks warm. I put some in my
hall and was so impressed I have now put it in other rooms.

"pat"  wrote in message
news:BYtJe.20780$ia4.8732@fe1.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

> Hi all,
> Any thoughts or advice on the makes of laminate flooring to avoid, and
> why ? or alternatively, which ones can be recommended ?  We're talking
> about ripping up old carpeting the hall, and replacing it with laminate...
>
> Thanks a million
>
> Patrick in Newcastle


Having compared several types, my favourite is textured laminate branded
either Westco or Homebase - it's the same stuff I think. This carries a
15-year domestic guarantee and is classed for heavy domestic or light
commercial use. You do get what you pay for - the really cheap laminates
have a shorter warranty and tend to look very artificial.
The textured ones have a usual price of 25ish per pack, but I've always
bought when on sale. I agree that mid colours are best - I have Cherry in my
lounge (quite light) and it looks great, people always comment on it - at
the moment Homebase have Chestnut on sale at 14.99 per pack 10 off. Used
some in the dining room looks great - but a bit darker than I wanted.
I have found the fibre-board underlay best for the feel and noise
characteristics - the underlay used does make a difference.
Good luck
Graham

remember that with all laminates, the finish that you see is in effect only
a photograph laid on MDF or similar.  Check the thickness of the
"photograph", this is afterall the wearing coat.  There are many very cheap
laminates available, but they have very thin wearing coats.  Take a look

D