At DIY Trading, we believe that achieving a high-end look shouldn’t require a “cathedral city” budget. We’ve cut out the expensive showroom extras to bring Durham homeowners and contractors professional-standard laminate at genuine trade rates. Why pay the inflated markups at the large national chains when you can source superior quality for a fraction of the cost?
We specialise in bridging the gap between “budget” and “luxury.” Whether you’re looking for a rugged, hard-wearing floor to handle the muddy boots of a DH7 country walk or a sleek, sophisticated finish for a townhouse in Gilesgate, our flooring is engineered to perform. We provide the structural integrity required for Durham’s older terrace conversions and the stylish aesthetics demanded by modern builds in Framwellgate Moor, ensuring your investment looks spectacular for years to come.
From the character-filled student lets near the Durham Viaduct to the quiet family cul-de-sacs of Newton Hall, no two properties in our region share the same requirements. Whether you need a sleek, modern finish for a contemporary apartment in Aykley Heads or something rugged and “adventure-proof” for a busy farmhouse kitchen in Lanchester, we have the technical grade to suit. We carry a vast inventory of thicknesses and wear ratings, meaning we can support everything from a quick freshen-up of a home office to a massive ground-floor transformation.
Timber-Effect Aesthetics
Our timber-effect selection is designed to bring the natural beauty of the North East landscape indoors. We’ve hand-picked finishes that replicate every nuance of real wood:
If you’re looking to add the architectural “wow factor” of slate or marble to your home, but aren’t a fan of the freezing-cold floors that usually come with a Durham winter, our stone-effect laminate is the perfect solution. It’s the ultimate trade secret for achieving a sophisticated, tiled look in your kitchen or entrance hall without the headache of messy grout, heavy masonry tools, or the high costs of a specialist tiler.
Period-Correct Textures: Our advanced high-definition printing and embossed surfaces perfectly mimic the organic feel of natural stone. It’s a refined finish that looks just as authentic in a historic Neville’s Cross terrace as it does in a premium detached home in Shincliffe.
Thermal Comfort for Country Living: Real stone is biting and unforgiving, especially during a North East winter. Our high-density (HDF) core acts as a natural insulator, retaining warmth and making your home feel “proper” cosy. It’s a much more forgiving surface for families and pets when the frost settles over the Wear Valley.
Affordable Grandeur: Don’t pay the “boutique premium” found in city-centre showrooms. Achieve the look of a stately slate hallway or a marble-veined kitchen at a fraction of the material and installation cost. It’s the smartest way to upgrade your property’s value without the inflated price tags found at the Arnison Centre.
Get expert advice to help you choose the correct laminate floor for your home.
Our home measure service makes sure you order the correct amount of laminate, and don’t pay for wastage you don’t need.
No obligation quotations provided for your new laminate and installation, with no hidden extras or additional fees.
We categorise our flooring by both thickness and AC (Abrasion Class) ratings, allowing you to choose a product that matches the foot traffic of your specific environment:
8mm Laminate: An excellent, cost-effective choice for domestic areas such as bedrooms and home offices.
10mm & 12mm Laminate: These thicker boards offer enhanced sound absorption and a more substantial feel underfoot, closely mimicking the density of solid wood.
AC4 & AC5 Ratings: Our products are built to last. An AC4 rating is ideal for busy residential use, while AC5 is designed to withstand the rigours of commercial settings, ensuring your investment remains resistant to wear, impact, and daily life.
While there are many flooring materials on the market, laminate remains one of the most resilient and financially sensible options for the modern homeowner. By choosing laminate over alternative materials, you benefit from:
Exceptional Cost-Efficiency: Laminate allows you to achieve the look of expensive hardwood at a fraction of the cost. For the price-led consumer, it offers the highest “style-per-pound” ratio of any flooring type.
Superior Surface Protection: Our laminate features a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core and a protective wear layer. This makes it significantly more resistant to scratches, dents, and stains than natural wood—an essential feature for households with children or pets.
Simplified Installation: Designed with advanced click-system technology, our flooring is engineered for straightforward installation. This makes it an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts looking to save on professional fitting costs while still achieving a seamless, gap-free finish.
Low Maintenance Requirements: Unlike real wood, which requires periodic sanding and oiling, laminate is virtually maintenance-free. A regular cleaning routine with a microfibre mop is all that is required to maintain its original lustre for years to come.
A Sustainable Choice: Laminate is often a more environmentally conscious choice, utilising recycled wood fibres in the core construction and reducing the demand for slow-growing hardwood timber.
Achieving a “showroom finish” in a Durham property requires a real understanding of the local area and its housing. Whether you are dealing with the uneven original floorboards of a period cottage in Shincliffe or the solid concrete subfloors found in newer developments in Bowburn, a lasting result depends on the technical prep work. By choosing our expert installation team, you’re ensuring your renovation isn’t just a quick fix, but a “proper” professional job that stands the test of time.
We source our laminate flooring direct from established manufacturers. We make sure you get flooring that will last, and at a price you can afford.
Real wood flooring is a luxurious option for your home. As an alternative Laminate flooring offers some of the advantages of a real wood floor, but at a more affordable price point. We explain some of the benefits of each type below to help you make your decision.
Premium Look and Feel – Although some modern floors can come close, nothing truly captures the connection to nature like a real wood floor.
Naturally hard wearing & stable – real wood stands the test of time even in the busiest of environments.
Eco-Friendly – Sourced from sustainably harvested wood, real wood flooring is surprisingly friendly to the environment when compared to other flooring.
Long Lifespan – The surface of the flooring can be sanded and re-finished multiple times bringing back the ‘new’ feel to old flooring without needing to replace.
Affordable – Get the effect of real wood flooring at a fraction of the cost. Laminate flooring gives the luxury effect, without the price.
Durable – Laminate floor is also hard wearing – it’s also really easy to maintain simply sweep or wipe clean.
Easy to Install – Laminate flooring is designed for easy installation. Locking together to form a strong connection, and individual pieces are easily cut to shape.
Resilient to Scratching & Fading – The uppermost layer of laminate floor has great resistance to scratching and a high resistance to UV fading.
There’s more to finding the right laminate floor than picking a style that looks good in the showroom. It’s about the technical details, knowing which underlay will help kill the draughts in a Gilesgate terrace or how much expansion room a floor needs in a sun-drenched extension in Framwellgate Moor. This is exactly where DIY Trading stands apart from the big national chains at the Arnison Centre or Dragonville.
We pride ourselves on providing honest, expert guidance specifically for our Durham customers. We’re here to make sure you don’t over-order or spend a penny more than you absolutely have to.
We’ve seen every type of local property, from the historic, high-ceilinged layouts in Neville’s Cross to the modern, open-plan family homes in Bowburn. We can recommend the exact board thickness and underlay density required to make sure your flooring performs perfectly for the long haul, whether you’re modernising a student let or renovating your forever home.
When you choose us, you’re getting trade-level expertise from a team that actually understands the structural difference between a stone-built cottage in Lanchester and a townhouse in the City Centre. We don’t just read off a spec sheet; we know how Durham’s varied housing stock, from mining heritage terraces to modern commuter estates – affects your flooring choice. We believe that professional, honest advice should be part of the service you pay for, not an added extra or a sales pitch.
Visit our showroom or contact our team today to discuss your project requirements, request a quote, or view our latest range of high-performance laminate flooring.
Whatever décor your have in your home, there is a laminate floor for you. Be inspired by our range of laminate flooring.
Pop in and see the many laminate floor samples on display in our showroom. You’ll be amazed how close to the real thing laminate floor can feel. Come in and see for yourself and browse hundreds of samples and get our expert advice.
We are a member of the Associated Carpet Group. A buying group with over 350 members throughout the UK, who are able to negotiate the best deals with the leading flooring manufacturers. This enables us to supply top quality carpets at the very best prices, often matching or beating retailers and national chain-stores.
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