Patient! You've been a saint! To match flooring can be a bit of a nightmare - you could think about stripping and sanding and then restaining the entire floor space so that it matches more readily. Talk to a timber flooring specialist - they should be able to advise you. Have you thought about cork? It comes in a variety of colours, is warmer than tiles and lino and kinder to mature hips and knees, good if you're prone to drop anything, good with kids when they fall and fairly easy to maintain when sealed - you just sweep it over and give it a mop over with a damp (not wet) Swiffer mop. It does have to be sealed every 12-24 months but the benefits outweigh this. Lino in a travertine look can look cheap if you don't select wisely and even the more expensive ones take a lot of work and will still have to be professionally installed (ie, the floor screed/levelled out and the lino stuck down so that it doesn't lift - it also shows marks if you drop anything sharp on it). It can also be a bit of a task mopping it over. Laminate flooring wont give you much in the way of insulation under foot, can be a bit noisy and the good stuff doesn't come cheap - it also doesn't like water much. Tiles - very sturdy and hard wearing - but not kind to your knees or the paws of your puppies and can be cold unless you put underfloor heating in and/or use lots of rugs but are the easiest flooring to keep clean with a broom and a steam mop. Good luck - let us know how you go.

with floating floors you need to level the floors first ..have you try self levelling concrete? a bit expensive but it works a charm we did it when we renovated and found a dip in our floors ? easy to use hubby did it himself.

Hi Rachael and rhjaai Regarding batch numbers................I have not heard that one before, wondering who advised you of that, and which product. Quickstep, Godfrey Hirst, and other quality manufacturers do not have batches, as such, that require matching. You can replace a plank with another batch and it will make no difference. Rachael, I agree you have perfectly matched the floor with cabinet sample, and will look great, but if you haven't already purchased, I'd recommend you look at http://www.karndean.com/en-nz/floors/easy-fit-ranges/karndean-looselay These vinyl planks are amazing and are quickly becoming a best seller here in NZ, soft underfoot, easy to keep clean, R10 slip rating ( R11 is required behind bars/clubs etc, so very high), lifetime residential warranty, and look great.

I know of a few ways this can be done, but all depends on the job and what original adhesive was used. Water and vinegar method - allow the glue to become soft then try to pick off Acetone - let glue absorb then wipe off - careful with this as acetone will discolour your boards/remove varnish (could sand after to avoid) Warm water - wet some cloths and place them over the glued areas, allow to soften and then remove with cloth/pick off. Depending on the type of adhesive, you may be able to sand off - but beware that some adhesives will melt/clump and spread the issue further. Whatever you decide, I recommend getting a professional to come and view the works as they will be able to gauge the period it was done and thus the materials employed. Best of luck :)