Hi there I thought I would jump in here a touch as you are on the right track but there are some glaring points that need to be cleared up for you before you go and purchase flooring. Laminate flooring is a Hi Def image of Timber flooring/oak/Natural Species etc and then transposed using a heat method to a MDF or HDF core, then profiled with a click system for ease of installation, maintenance relocation and repair. Good laminate flooring (Quikstep or Krono Swiss) can be very rewarding , look very much like natural timber, and be very durable against scratching and indentation. Laminates nemesis is high saturation of water or moisture. Good e budget solution for all living areas and rooms except toilets bathroom or laundrys. Engineered boards are a veneer of Natural timber and are just as durable as the solid version of whatever species you choose. Whether that be Spotted Gum, Jarrah or Oak. Sorry but you CAN re sand engineered boards. When re sanding occurs through a professional sander, the top .5mm is the depth of the product that you generally ever really need to remove. Some engineered flooring has a 6mm wear layer/ veneer and that's more than if you purchased a solid 19mm raw timber floor. Engineered boards are less likely "cup"(edge of the boards rising so that you can see a little lip) than a solid. We would recommend that if you are considering a timber floor please consult a retailer that only handles timber and specializes in that medium. Hope this helped

It probably depends a bit on the layout of the house. If the areas you want to replace with floorboards are closed off to the more open plan/walkway areas that are tiled then I think that would be ok. Is your carpet very similar in tone to the tiles or is it quite distinct already where the flooring type changes? Another option might be a very easy to maintain, durable carpet in the living areas and a same-toned plusher version for the bedrooms. Kids and their toys tend to scratch and dint floorboards (I personally just accept this as giving it 'character' ) and they do love a comfy carpet or rug to play on. Ultimately do what works and is practical for you and your household.

Thanks for this suggestion. I've just had a look at a photo of a fence painted in this product and it looks great. ... It's been almost three years since we posted our original question on this site and we still haven't painted the fence! Some parts of the fence have turned grey, as they are exposed to more sun, but overall I do think a dark charcoal finish would be more attractive. :)

We went with Monument and I am delighted. I was worried about it making the house hotter, but not at all as we added some extra insulation while the roof was lifted. We look over our roof to Mt Dandenong and it really feels like we are floating above the rooftops now (previously had a lighter color). I have also noticed there is far less glare being darker. Pic below is not my best shots ... but you get the idea. Forgot to add we also have a flat cliplock roof and used a combination of Monument and Dune on the house.