Quote:Ok. Thanks. i'm going to go for MR MDF and paint with a good acrylic paint. All help duly noted. I'm also going to take Woodsmith's advice and post in more specific areas although I will ask here too as you all seem keen to help.
What I meant was post in the (for these woody questions at least) DIY Carpentry questions section of this forum.
Quote:Next is flooring... I would really like to have a wooden floor and have researched online and found contrary opinion about engineered wood. Some say don't bother others say it's ok if laquered. I think the look would be great and it is easier to lay than tiles and considerably cheaper. So again your help would be appreciated.
Engineered flooring has a lot of advantages over a solid wood floor and few disadvantages. Just make sure it is of good quality and has a decent wear layer (that is a top veneer layer which is 3mm as an absolute minimum, some of the best have a 6mm layer). If it is too thin it is all too easily damaged. Pre finished boards have a very tough varnish factory applied and this certainly speeds up the fitting process although it doesn't look quite as good as a hard wax oiled surface IMHO.
Just make sure you follow all the fitting instructions and leave an expansion gap round the edges of the room.