Wood & Laminate Flooring
From the timeless warmth of real oak to the hard-wearing versatility of modern laminate, discover the perfect foundation for your Forest of Dean home.
Make AbFab Flooring your first choice for your new Wood or Laminate Floor
Choosing the right wood or laminate floor is a big decision – it sets the tone for your home’s décor.
At Abfab Flooring, we combine our experience in dealing with customers throughout Gloucestershire with our passion for high-quality flooring products. We don’t just sell floors; we ensure you get the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Get a free quoteOr call: Call us01594 827272
- Local & Reliable
Proudly serving our neighbours across the Forest of Dean with dependable, friendly service. - Unrivalled Choice
From rustic, character-filled oaks to ultra-modern, hard-wearing laminates. - Expert Guidance
Not sure what works for underfloor heating? We’ve got the answers. - Quality You Can Trust
We only source materials from manufacturers who meet our “Abfab” standards for durability and finish.
Find Your Signature Style
Laminate flooring or real wood can look great in a home. Both available in a wide range of styles, Colours and grades these products are a perfect flooring solution. Whether you are renovating a rustic cottage in Coleford or a modern townhouse in Lydney, we have a Wood or Laminate Flooring style to match.
Parquet Style
This style consists of individual wood-look blocks arranged in geometric patterns, most famously the classic, interlocking herringbone layout.
Chevron Style
Chevron features planks cut at precise angles to meet at a perfect point, creating a continuous, sharp “V” or zigzag pattern across the room.
Versailles Style
Inspired by the French palace, these large square panels feature an intricate, woven-lattice design that adds a sense of historic grandeur to a space.
Stone Effect
These luxury vinyl tiles convincingly mimic the natural texture and appearance of materials like slate or marble while offering a much warmer and more durable surface than real stone.
Tile Effect
These planks or tiles emulate the appearance of ceramic or porcelain masonry, often including realistic grout lines, while offering a warmer, more resilient surface that is significantly easier to install.
Why Choose Real Wood?
There is nothing quite like the feel of genuine timber underfoot. It’s an investment that matures like a fine wine.
- Authentic Character: No two planks are the same. You get unique grain patterns, knots, and textures that tell a story.
- Stunning Appearance: Real wood is a high-end feature that actively adds “kerb appeal” to your home.
- Hypoallergenic: Wood doesn’t harbour dust mites, pet dander, or pollen, making it the healthiest choice for allergy sufferers.
- Sand & Refinish: If you fancy a change in ten years, you can sand it down and re-stain it. It’s a floor that evolves with your taste.
Laminate Flooring
Modern laminate has come a long way. If you want the “wood look” without the “wood maintenance,” this is your hero product.
- Budget-Friendly: Achieve a high-end look at a fraction of the cost of solid timber.
- Life-Proof Durability: Highly resistant to scratches, dents, and stains. It’s the perfect choice for homes with muddy paws and energetic kids.
- Fade Resistant: Unlike some natural materials, laminate won’t lose its colour in sun-drenched rooms.
- Low Maintenance: A simple sweep and a damp mop are all it takes to keep it looking brand new.
Solid Wood or Engineered Wood
Understanding the construction of wood flooring is key to making the right choice for your home. Here is a breakdown of your two primary options, reimagined for clarity and style.
Solid Wood
Think of solid wood as the “purist” approach. Every single plank is carved from a single, continuous piece of timber, offering an authenticity that’s hard to beat.
Longevity: This isn’t just a floor; it’s a lifetime investment. With the right upkeep, it can easily grace your home for generations.
Refinishing: One of the greatest benefits of real wood flooring is its ability to age gracefully. If the surface starts looking a little tired after a decade or two, you can simply sand it down and refinish it, revealing a brand-new face without replacing a single board.
Engineered Wood
Engineered flooring is a masterclass in structural integrity. Instead of one thick block, these planks feature a high-tech, multi-layered composition designed for maximum stability.
The Visuals: On the surface, it’s indistinguishable from real wood floor. That’s because the top layer, the veneer, is genuine solid hardwood.
The Architecture: Beneath that beautiful exterior lies an engineered core. This “sandwich” design provides incredible strength and resistance to warping, giving you the high-end aesthetic you want at a more accessible price point.
Unsure about what choice to make?
If you would like to talk to us about what choice would be best for your home, get in touch and we’;ll guide you through the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about flooring? See some of the things we get asked about frequently by our customers. If you have a question, get in touch with us.
Can I install wood or laminate in my bathroom?
We generally advise caution here.
Laminate: Some modern laminates are water-resistant, but they aren’t waterproof. If water seeps into the joints, the core can swell.
Wood: Real wood and high humidity are not friends. Wood expands and contracts with moisture, which can lead to warping or cupping in a bathroom setting.
Top Tip: If you want the wood look in a splash zone, consider Vinyl Floor or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or wood-effect tiles instead.
Can these floors be sanded and refinished?
Solid Wood: Yes! This is its greatest superpower. You can sand it down and restain it multiple times, meaning a wood floor can literally last a century.
Laminate: No. Once the top wear layer is gone or the board is damaged, it cannot be sanded. You’ll need to replace the individual boards or the whole floor.
What is the difference between wood and laminate?
It mostly comes down to the construction and the material used.
Solid Wood: This is 100% natural timber throughout. It’s the real deal – unique grains, natural knots, and all.
Laminate: This is a man-made product. It consists of a high-density fiberboard core topped with a high-resolution photographic layer (the “wood” look) and a clear, protective wear layer.
Which one is better for high-traffic areas or pets?
If you have a busy household with kids or a dog that treats the hallway like a racetrack, laminate is usually the winner. It is specifically engineered to be scratch-resistant and dent-resistant. While wood is durable, it is much softer and more prone to scuffs and “patina” (aka scratches) from claws and heavy furniture.
Which option adds more value to my home?
Real wood is almost always seen as a premium investment. While it costs more upfront, it typically offers a higher Return on Investment (ROI) and is a major selling point for potential buyers. Laminate is a fantastic, budget-friendly way to refresh a space, but it doesn’t quite carry the same prestige in the housing market as authentic timber.
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Gloucestershire Showroom
Come visit us in our flooring showroom. Browse 100s of flooring samples, and our friendly staff will help guide you to find right flooring for your home.
- AbFab Flooring
- Unit 11, Hollyhill Industrial Park
- Cinderford
- Gloucestershire
- GL14 2YB
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Sat: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Sun: Closed.
- Tel: Call us01594 827272
- Email: info@abfabflooring.co.uk
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