WOOD AND LAMINATE FLOORING IN BRISTOL
Laminate, Solid & Engineered Wood Flooring

Wood & Laminate Flooring Bristol
The Largest Wood & Laminate Flooring Showroom with the Lowest Prices in Bristol and the South West.

CW Jones supply and fit a comprehensive range of quality hardwood, oak, laminate and engineered wood flooring. Materials come in a range of thicknesses, colours and finishes to suit all requirements. We keep a huge range of products on display in our wood flooring showroom due to the high level of interest we regularly receive.


Premium Wood & Laminate Flooring in Bristol

Our premium wooden flooring products include Woodpecker , Atkinson  &  Kirby , Berry Alloc and Quickstep . Because of our strong buying power these products are now more affordable than ever. Call us today for a quote or alternatively visit our showroom to see our range of wooden flooring options and talk to our experienced sales team.


For the best price and more information please contact us today .

Wood & Laminate Flooring Bristol
ATKINSON & KIRBY FLOORING Bristol
Canopy Flooring
QUICK STEP FLOORING Bristol
WOODPECKER FLOORING Bristol

Woodpecker

Photo By: John Doe
WOODPECKER

BUYERS GUIDE TO LAMINATE & WOOD FLOORING

A wood effect for flooring is a popular choice for property owners that want to create a natural look and feel for their interiors. The natural aesthetic can be achieved through three major types of wood flooring: laminate flooring, real wood flooring, and engineered wood flooring. 

Find out which type works best for your home, lifestyle, and budget with this buyer’s guide to laminate flooring in Bristol.

As the name suggests, real wood flooring is made of genuine timber. Also called solid wood or hardwood, this type of flooring is cut from a single piece of wood with no other synthetic means of construction or layering. 


Real wood like Woodpecker flooring is highly sought after for its vintage look and feel, and because it is 100% natural, it commands a higher price than other types of wood flooring.


BENEFITS OF REAL WOOD FLOORING

The more practical benefit to having real wood flooring is that it can last longer than any other type of wood flooring, and can take years of wear and tear. If it does get scratched, dented, or damaged through general wear and tear, you can just sand it down and get it refinished to make it look brand new again. Refinishing real wood flooring every 7 to 10 years can make it last a whole lifetime. 


The one big downside to real wood flooring is that it does not handle moisture well. Wood expands when it absorbs moisture, leading to warping, swelling, and discolouration. If it gets hot, wood dries out and shrinks, leaving cracks or gaps in the floor. 


Bathrooms and kitchens are therefore not ideal locations for installing real wood flooring. Underfloor heating is an option but in this instance, the flooring must be glued. Moisture barriers are a must if you choose to install hardwood flooring in rooms where moisture will be an issue.


REAL WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

Gaps that only appear during warm seasons could be left alone, as the planks can expand to fill the gaps when it gets cold. If you do notice gaps that are permanent, you can fill them with filler resin, wood slivers, or wood strips. 


Noise can also be a problem with solid wood flooring. It can actually amplify sound instead of insulating it, so a sound insulation underlay should be a serious consideration. 


Acclimating real wood flooring takes about 72 hours minimum to a whole week to ensure the planks fit when you start installation.

Laminate flooring is an artificial type of flooring made up of multiple layers of synthetic materials and designed to look like actual wood. A dense fibreboard is at its core, providing structural rigidity. On top of the core is the decorative layer with a high-resolution print of real wood. The top-most layer is a durable wear layer that protects the plank from scratches and stains. The bottom-most layer is composed of tough melamine that provides further stability and keeps moisture away.


People choose laminate flooring for its durability, affordability, and ease of installation and maintenance. 


BENEFITS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring is resistant to scratches, stains, dents, and moisture. Depending on the plank thickness and strength, laminate flooring can deal with varying levels of foot traffic. 


Durability and resistance are determined by Abrasion Class (AC) rating, which goes in ascending order of toughness from 1 to 5. AC1 laminate floors are good for rooms with low foot traffic like bedrooms and guest rooms, while AC5 laminate floors are generally suited for public and commercial spaces. AC3 should be good enough for busy areas at home like hallways and even stairs, although special fittings would be required for fitting staircases to prevent board movement.


While thicker laminate can be a factor in the quality of the wood print, the rigidity, and the sound produced when stepping on the laminate flooring, underlay will help to reduce sound levels and subfloor noise.


A key selling point for laminate flooring is how well it emulates authentic wood while costing much less. The technology has gotten so good that most people won’t be able to tell the difference. It is also easier to clean than real wood, as regular sweeping and mopping can be enough for maintenance. With proper installation and upkeep, you can expect laminate flooring to last 15 to 25 years. Upfront costs are also about the same as carpet, which is another affordable flooring option.


LAMINATE FLOORING INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

Do take note that underlay should be a priority when installing laminate flooring. It provides additional protection, comfort, and insulation. You should also look into waterproofing options if you insist on laminate flooring for bathrooms and other wet areas where even the flooring’s moisture resistance won’t stand up to the constant exposure to water. Mopping should only be done with a slightly damp mop. Vinyl flooring would be the better option if water is going to be an issue. 

You can think of engineered wood flooring as a combination of laminate and real wood flooring. It has a layered structure like laminate flooring, but its top layer is genuine hardwood instead of a printed wood design. Underneath the top layer is a dense core composed of materials that are more stable and more heat and moisture-resilient than real wood. 


BENEFITS OF ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING

Engineered wood like Atkinson & Kirby flooring boasts the benefits of having the authentic look and feel of real wood flooring while being able to withstand heat and moisture in locations where it would be an issue for real wood, such as in rooms with underfloor heating. It is still advisable to avoid using engineered wood flooring for bathrooms, as the wood materials aren’t completely waterproof. 


Like real wood flooring, engineered wood is also resistant to scratches and dents. It can also be sanded down and refinished if it does get scratched and dented, although not as often as real wood. With proper maintenance of engineered wood flooring it can last for up to 30 years. Regular sweeping and vacuuming can be enough, with the occasional light mopping using wood floor cleaners and very little water. 


ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

When having engineered wood flooring installed, make sure the subfloor is level. Plywood is a good option for having a level subfloor. You can install engineered wood flooring on a concrete subfloor, but you should test the concrete’s moisture levels before doing so. Concrete can soak up moisture, which can then move up to your flooring and damage the wood.

CHOOSING WOOD FLOORING

In summary, laminate is the most affordable, most durable, and easiest to use; real wood is the most luxurious and long-lasting; and engineered wood is somewhere in between in terms of looks, price, durability, longevity, and ease-of-use. With all three options laid out, hopefully you can make an informed decision for what type of wood flooring in our Bristol showroom you are after.

LAMINATE & WOOD FLOORING FAQs

Got a question about laminate or wood flooring? We’re here to help.

  • How do I clean my laminate flooring?

    Take note of the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning products. Vacuum or sweep the floors with a soft-brush broom regularly to get rid of dust and dirt. Clean spills immediately with a slightly damp cloth then wipe down the residue with a dry cloth. For deep cleans, don’t use harsh chemicals or abrasive tools to avoid damaging the floor. Apart from specific laminate cleaning products, you can also use a light solution of water and white vinegar to get rid of stains. 

  • Can you mop laminate flooring?

    You can use a mop to clean laminate flooring, but be very careful about how much water you use. Dampen the mop slightly and wring out as much water from it before mopping. Using a soaking wet mop will damage the floor.

  • What happens if you don’t put underlay under laminate?

    If you don’t use underlay for your laminate flooring, you may run into a host of problems. The flooring can be less stable and move around, contributing to greater wear and tear. The subfloor may be uneven, so the laminate flooring won’t look smooth. Sound and heat insulation become bigger issues. Underlay also acts as protection against moisture, so leaving it out can make laminate flooring susceptible to warping.

  • Is carpet underlay okay for laminate?

    It is not ideal to use carpet underlay for laminate, as it is thicker than laminate underlay. It will have too much give and not enough support, damaging your laminate flooring over time. Use the appropriate type of laminate underlay to ensure stability.

Contact us now for our best prices on our extensive range of carpets and flooring.
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DISCLAIMER: Colours on screen may vary from actual flooring colours. We strongly advise you view any product range in-store or pop in for a free sample. Manufacturers have reserved the right at any time to withdraw or amend any of our product ranges.

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