Laminate

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:40 am

Having put down some of BnQ's AquaLoc laminate flooring in a very small room I'm about to start on a larger one. The AquaLoc, I thought, was very easy to lay and so far (only a couple of months) its still OK.

Are there any opinions out there on good quality, hardwearing laminate flooring. Is the BnQ stuff (ToughLOC) good quality or is there better stuff out there and if so where from (around M/cr, Cheshire) ? - I've been told not to go anywhere near Floors2Go etc.

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:04 am

ive notice floors2go have stopped holding quickstep in store, only to order. if thats the case, order if off the internet. it is alot cheaper.
personally for me it is quickstep everytime.

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:09 am

Thats interesting.....everyone I've spoken to without exception have said the stuff floors2go sell is a buggar to fit, doesn't line up correctly thus its hard to click into place without having several pairs of hands to knock in at the same time

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:52 pm

i think you are getting confused.
floors2go sell lots of different makes of flooring. they used to have quickstep in stock but dont anymore.
i personally dont like the bnq stuff but i suppose it is ok.
for me this is the best stuff and most flooring shops sell it.
http://www.quick-step.com/

one great thing about it is that it also knocks together flat which is a real bonus in some cases where you have to get it under opposing doorframes.

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:40 pm

Clicking together at an angle was a problem I had when I laid the AquaLOC, especially in a 1m sq toilet - so many things getting in the way!

I'll take a look at the quick-step stuff

- I must be a general statement about floors2go that I've heard.

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:00 pm

anyway the service in floors2go is bilge.
you have to remember that if you are laying on a floor that is up and down it is very hard with any make to click a long line in. it gets easier the more flooring you get down as it tends to form a flat sheet.
if a customer is geting the flooring i always tell them it will be more if it is not qs as it always seems to take me longer. this could be because i am not used to it though.
i did some from ikea and after 3 rows told the customer to shove it. i was doing loads for them on a refurb and this was a last addition. a couple of days later he told me it took him and his dad 2 days to do it.
ive never had a problem with qs and you can get it anywhere as it is sort of the leading brand.

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:55 pm

Now you've sucked me down the path of Quick-Step I now noticed there are several types/grades of their laminate. From experience/expertise what would be your choice for a hardwearing floor - general living space come play/TV room with direct access to outside i.e. muddy feet!

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:39 pm

they do a standard level which is the 700 (classic) range. this in my opinion is perfectly fine for everyday rooms. this is 7 mm thick. going up the ranges like the 800 is a 8mm floor and so on.
i think if you get relative quotes the quickstep will be comparable in price but if you ask most pros will tell you the qs is a superior quality floor.
i think the qs looks better as well/ just put some of the 800 range in my boys bedroom. http://www.quick-step.com/europe/en/floor/401056.aspx
as for muddy feet etc then it is fine as long as you dont leave it soaking for ages. i presume you will not be walking mud into it all the time anyway?
no need to go for an aqua type for your purpose. if i was doing yours as a job i would recommend any of the qs. as i have to guarentee my work, qs is the only one i will supply and fit. if the customer supplies i make it clear that any problems down the line are not my responsibility.

if you go with the bnq im sure you will be fine but for the same price the qs is a better floor and more realistic imo.

also try and at least put down a felt pad underlay as opposed to the cheap foam roll.

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:54 pm

Now I've had a proper look at the Q-S site I've get a better feel of what is what. Having a quick look at prices (it seems widely sold) it is only a couple of quid more expensive than ToughLOC BnQ stuff so for the 14sq mts I need its not much more for thicker and with a longer G'tee - thanks for the insight panlid

panlid · Post by **panlid** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:46 pm

if you have a look around locally you will probably find a local stockist with samples in. i know it is hard to buy something online without seeing the colour so this can help. i have no qualms doing it as i have more or less fitted all the colours of qs.
what sort of colour you looking at?