Research by 1926 Wood Flooring has revealed that lots of people are searching online to discover which is better: real or laminate flooring?

In response to this, 1926 Flooring has produced information to help people come to a decision about the best type of flooring to suit their situation.

When deciding on a flooring material for your home, it can be difficult to choose between laminate flooring and real wood. Here are some facts about each of these to help make an informed decision:

Real Wood Flooring

Also called solid wood flooring, this type of surface is 100% real wood, with no extras other than paint or varnish, if you require them.

Advantages

For capturing that authentic look, nothing beats real wood flooring.
Solid wood floors can be sanded to remove any scratches or scuff marks. This means that they last longer than laminate, asthe surface can be restoredseveral times during the course of its life.
Real wood flooring can also be varnished and painted to match the decor of your room each time you redecorate.

Disadvantages

As real wood flooring consists solely of natural wood, it can expand and contract depending on levels of humidity in the air. This means that you should leave a small gap around the edge of wood flooring to allow for any expansion.

On particularly cold frosty days, you may find your flooring has unsightly gaps between the planks in draughty rooms.
Conversely, on days with high levels of humidity you may find the wood has buckled. This buckling can result in severe damage if you have not left enough space to accommodate it.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring consists of melamine resin fused with layers of fibre board, which simulate the appearance of real wood, stone or any other kind of flooring.

Advantages

This type of flooring is great if you’re on a budget. Generally it’s cheaper than real wood flooring (starting at around £10 per metre,) but is a bit of a compromise if you’re looking for an authentic finish.

If you have small children, laminate flooring is an excellent option as it is very easy to clean; dirt and moisture can simply be wiped away and the flooring won’t be discoloured by chemicals in household cleaning products.

This kind of flooring is resistant to scratches, so it a fairly robust option. Laminate will also not absorb moisture, which can be a problem with real wood flooring, so it can be laid anywhere, even areas in the home which experience varying levels of humidity, such as the kitchen. Some laminates as so resistant they can even be laid in the bathroom.

Disadvantages

As laminate flooring is made from several layers of man-made fibre, it is impossible to sand it down should it get damaged. This means the only option for dealing with imperfections that may occur in the laminate, such as cracks, is to replace it entirely. Also, if you want to change the appearance of your flooring, the only option is to buy an entirely new floor.

Engineered Wood Flooring

This type of flooring is made by layering different types of wood and then finishing off each section with a veneer of the wood of your choice. It’s the ‘best of both worlds option’.

Advantages

This gives the appearances of a real wood floor, with a price tag similar to that of laminate. Also like laminate this type of flooring does not have the same problems with moisture as solid wood, so it can be laid anywhere in the home.

Disadvantages

Like laminate this kind of flooring can’t be sanded down, re-finished or repaired, as the veneer on top is only a relatively thin layer.

To view 1926 Trading’s extensive ranges of real wood and laminate flooring, please visit the website,

The popular Linnea Living Collection by Kahrs, has been extended to include ten one-strip designs, made in Sweden from sustainable oak, walnut and cherry.

Linnea Living is only 7mm thick and offers a fashionable and practical real wood flooring option that benefits from Kährs award-winning manufacture and design:

• Offered in a popular one-strip plank format, Linnea Living boards measure 1225 x 118 x 7mm.

• The floors are crafted from sustainable European Oak, with designs including white-stained Oak Blanc, mocha-toned Oak Coffee and include FSC-certified choices.

• Blush toned Cherry Muscovado and rich Walnut Cocoa, complete the range and offer alternative sustainable species.

• All of the floors benefit from a durable satin or matt lacquer pre-finish, with many designs also featuring micro-bevelled edges, as well as stained and brushed surface treatments.

• All designs feature a light weight, high performance structure, which is both easy to handle and eco-friendly. Below the hardwood surface, boards consist off a layer of High Density Fibreboard above a hardwood veneer base.

• Kährs eco-conscious construction, - combined with its Woodloc® joint, eliminates gapping and reduces natural movement caused by humidity change.

Boards can be laid on most dry, level surfaces including concrete, wood and particle board and can be installed either floating, or glued down.
Kährs Linnea is also ideal for installation over underfloor heating and all products are offered with a 12-year guarantee.

For more information on the Kahrs Linnea Living Collection, please visit the website.

Cormar Carpets has launched a new heavyweight, stain resistant Primo Delight carpet range, designed to add a touch of luxury to the home.

This durable, low maintenance carpet collection is available in 12 very popular non-fade flecked heather shades - including fashionable Violet, Raven and Steel - making easy living more stylish than before.

David Cormack of Cormar Carpets commented: “In these difficult economic times shoppers are increasingly looking for better value carpets and we feel that Primo Delight really hits the spot!

It looks every bit as good as it feels and offers all the advantages of a deep pile heavyweight carpet, suitable for all areas of the home together with the added bonuses that easy clean carpets bring.”

Primo Delight is made from 100% stain resistant Excellon polypropylene fibre.
In line with other members of Cormar’s Easy Clean brand, the collection is bleach cleanable and comes with a 10year stain guarantee.
Expected to retail at around £22 per sq metre.

Said David: “Our ‘family’ of Easy Clean carpets has been a huge success over the past few years and with its stain resistant qualities and non-fade colours, Primo Delight is perfect to cope with hectic family lives and our confidence is reflected in the full 10 year warranty.”

Included in the Cormar Carpets’ Easy Clean ranges are Apollo, Primo Plus, Tweeds, Ultra, plus the new Delight.

For more information on Cormar Carpet’s Easy Clean collections, please visit the website.

Kährs eco-friendly World Collection has been launched online by 1926 Wood Flooring.

The award-winning new sustainable World Collection is an eco-friendly construction patented by Kährs:

The floors are crafted in Sweden from sustainable European Oak, and as well as using the natural materials in the most nature-friendly way, the ‘criss-cross’ construction offers 75% greater stability than a solid floor and it can be renovated in exactly the same manner.

The oak floors are available in one, two and three-strip designs and have an authentic exotic stained finish in a choice of copper/red wine and rich burnt orange/topaz tones.

The launch follows Kährs removal of all tropical species from its range, until guaranteed controlled sources can be found.

Collection styles include: red toned 1-strip Cayenne, 2-strip Chili and 3-strip Habanero and topaz toned 1-strip Coriander, 2-strip Nutmeg and 3-strip Cardamom.

Each design features Kährs glueless Woodloc joint for fast, easy installation and a durable lacquer prefinish for easy care.

1926 Trading were Kährs first choice to be awarded the prestigious status of Kährs Authorised Internet Dealer, in recognition of its Kährs product knowledge and customer

For further information and to view the full Kährs Eco-Friendly World Collection of wood flooring, please visit the website.

Holly Lasseter creates and hand paints her fine china tableware collections at her home in Dorset.

If you fancy acquiring a piece of fine British craftsmanship, how about investing in a lovingly hand painted fine china tea set.

Holly’s designs are created from an original collection of botanical flowers, fruit and vegetables including insects and butterflies.

However, Holly is happy to discuss your personal requirements, as well as offering individual preferences with wording or any special motifs.

Every teacup tells a tale:

Standard collection prices - Teapots from £75, cups and saucers as featured here, from £38, plates from £25, large platters and bowls from £100.

All of the pieces are available online from the Holly Lasseter Designs website.

About

Holly has been hand painting fine china in her home in Dorset for over fifteen years.

Her collections range from one-off items, to complete dinner services, as well as tile pictures for kitchens and bathrooms.

Her timeless delicate designs are inspired by the natural world including flowers, fruit, vegetables and insects.

She deals exclusively with UK companies for her base china and for the supply, printing and make-up of her fabrics and textile products.

She also accepts private commissions – no task is too small or too great and she enjoys incorporating her clients’ special requests, to create truly unique pieces. You can even choose colours and designs to fit in with the interior decoration of your home.

To view Holly Lasseter’s charming collections of hand painted china, please visit the website.

Tel: (01305) 815784

Beltrami the wholesaler of stone tiles and slabs has launched a number of new natural grey stones this summer.

Hima Basalt is a durable stone suitable for all outdoor areas including patios, terraces and paths.
The consistent grey colour offers a lovely background to the vivacity of plants in the garden.

Available in paving stones for a country cottage look, or larger tiles for a more contemporary garden, this stone has a subtle non-slip surface making it a highly multipurpose option for outdoor projects.

Tandur Grey limestone is available in 2 finishes - the antico pictured here and a more textured, chipped edge heritage finish.

About Beltrami sources stone ethically from around the world. Their main stock of tiles is held in Belgium with the UK depot in Halesowen, holding an extensive stock of granite, marble and limestone slabs.

With it’s own extensive logistic capability, Beltrami is able to deliver slabs and tiles weekly to customers and sites covering most of the UK.
Beltrami is at the forefront of innovation and promotion of exciting new products in the stone world.

Please visit the website to view Beltrami’s extensive ranges of fine natural stones.

Tel: 01384 564315

Craven Dunnill, the award winning UK retailer and tile distributor, has turned back the clock and added the Minton Hollins Craft collection of artisan wall and floor tiles, to its wide-ranging selection of contemporary ceramic floor and wall tiles.

Minton is a name synonymous with the golden age of tile making in the Victorian period:

• This new collection is likely to appeal to period property owners seeking adornment for their bathrooms and kitchens, sympathetic to the age and structure of their property.

• The many home lovers, who prefer a classic, English country feel to their home, rather than accept contemporary styles, will also admire it.

• Featured here is the Monochrome Botanical Panel: set of six 150 x 150mm tiles. Priced at £124.00.

The Minton Hollins Craft collection from Craven Dunnill is British made in the Staffordshire Potteries and includes a wealth of hand-painted original designs, skilfully applied to specialist crackle and undulating glazes, with co-ordinating plain tiles (field tiles) available in a wide colour palette.

Available in traditional, small sized formats, the Craft Collection includes a wide selection of nature inspired décors, from charming botanical prints to delicate bird studies, through to the flora and fauna of the British countryside.

To view Craven Dunnil’s luxurious collections of quality wall and floor tiles please visit the website.
Tel:   (01746) 761611

Bazaar Velvet has added seven new designs with a real urban theme, to its Abstract Collection of hand-knotted, luxury rugs. The rugs have a conspicuous storyline, which contrasts strident elements of everyday city life with remarkable craftsmanship, fine detail and soft tonal effects.

The rugs are hand-knotted in a mixture of luxurious Chinese silks and fine Tibetan wools; when blended together, they create intricate tonal effects, with the sheen of the pure silk, contrasting with the texture of the wool, to produce an additional dimension to these artworks for the floor.

Each rug is made by Nepalese artisan weavers and can take upwards of 16 weeks, given the intricate nature of the pattern.
The Abstract rugs are protected under the GoodWeave rug labelling scheme, which guarantees that no children are exploited in their making, Retail price is from around £600 m².

The Urban Life design featured, combines hard structural forms with a haze of soft grey tones, synonymous with an urban landscape, creating a camouflage effect, which is accented with vivid coloured graffiti slicing through the canvas. Reminiscent of the Abstract Expressionism artists such as W E Kooning. The design can made in bespoke colours to suit your taste.

Washed Denim presents the ever-present and classless fabric re-interpreted as a refined pattern, which is then developed further through the addition of colour, such as sizzling orange and a rich aubergine charcoal.

Other designs available in the collection are Tecton, Elan, Levantia and Espace.
Bazaar Velvet is owned by the rug specialist Christopher Mould who specialises in luxurious quality, bespoke rugs for the UK and international markets.

Bazaar Velvet Showroom - 2 New King’s Road London SW6 4SA.

Please visit the website to view Bazaar Velvet’s complete Abstract Collection of hand-knotted, luxury rugs.
Tel: +44(020) 736 9693

The Award winning Elite Sumba Yellow from the CP Group, is a stimulating compilation of floor and wall tiles, mosaics and borders that presents an exciting summer style for the home with its striking marble patterns.

Uniting the distinctive characteristics of marble with boldly diverse tones of yellow, brown, blue and grey, reminiscent of bright summer days and seductive, balmy nights, Elite Sumba Yellow’s modern design sits flawlessly with contemporary streamlined kitchen cabinetry, or can fit equally well with vintage style furniture.

Perfectly suited to the fashion conscious and those that like to make a real style statement, Sumba Yellow’s fascinating marble patterns and honed, matt effect tiles, look more like a piece of contemporary art to adorn your kitchen walls or a striking splash-back behind a cooker or sink, or even a full feature wall for the more daring.

With its muted yellow colour scheme, punctuated with smokey brown marble veining and accents of grey and blue, Sumba Yellow adds depth, energy and colour without being overpowering.

152mm x 305mm and 102mm x 203mm tiles have been designed specifically with kitchen splashbacks in mind, while two 305mm x 305mm mosaic options and a 105mm x 305mm border tile are also available, ensuring a completely unique collection of wall tiles.
For the floor, a large format 406mm x 406mm tile is available to create a real feeling of space.

The Elite collection is available from a selection of leading independent retailers.

Prices:
Sumba Yellow 102mm x 203mm: £2.59/tile or £125/sq m.

Winner of ‘best natural product’ award at The Tile Association Awards 2011, Elite is a superior collection of five distinct natural marble ranges that release the extraordinary beauty of Indonesian stone.

For further information and to view the CP Group’s entire tile collections, please visit the website.

Tel: (0845) 519 7039.

The hallway is the foremost entrance into most homes and where you can make a grand first impression as guests step through the front door.

Devon Stone offers one of the finest ranges of stone for flooring, walling and exterior projects, on the market today.

Some options:

Choose rustic limestone flooring from Devon Stone to create a warm and welcoming entrance into a traditional home- with a conventional approach as featured here - Pierre de Bourgogne. Priced from £160 per sq/m.

Or perhaps a large format ‘Oriental Basalt’ floor to create impact and sleek lines in a contemporary space.

Or you could zone your home by contrasting two very different stone types, using ‘Black Slate’ for the hallway and ‘Simyra’ Limestone for living spaces, thus creating two clearly defined spaces.

Devon Stone has a showroom in Devon, but covers the whole of the UK, so that you can enjoy beautiful, luxurious flooring in your home, with full installation plus a caring after sales service.

For more information about Devon Stone’s flooring ranges, please visit the website.

Tel: (01395) 222 525.