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FlooringDesign Dilemma
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flooring for a downstairs bedroom-options?

Tani H-S
4 years ago

We have an old living room that will now be the second bedroom in a bungalow and we are looking at inexpensive flooring options. The floor in there is currently the thick ply as we ripped out the old rotten floorboards. It does have some gaps around the joins as it’s not t&g.

I wanted laminate - warm wood as it’s north facing, easier to clean and less dust mites. However- we don’t have the time to fit it at the moment due to working on a campervan conversion and I’ve never laid flooring before (have thought about getting a laminate cutter to try myself??)

Easiest option is carpet but cons are it will likely end up being grey which is a bit dull for that room. Nice modern patterns are super expensive so may as well then do the laminate!

Third option - vinyl sheet flooring in a wood effect. Pros - quick and easy to install. Cheaper I imagine.
But ... I’m wondering if I will have to put another lot of 6mm ply down on top of the current floor so the gaps are covered in case the vinyl sheet forms to the gaps?? In which case it will be more cost and more work again.

The photo shows the current floor base. Some gaps are quite large!

** also - in the corner of the room is the stop tap under the floor so we need to be able to get access under the floor easily. Thinking vinyl we could leave a section unglued down so it will lift up?

Featured Answer
  • Gabby Wong
    4 years ago

    I'm continually impressed by your DIY ambition and skills Tani!


    £8/SqM is a fabulous price!!


    I was going to ask on a different post (but can't find it now) I remember you said you went for Cavalio, Do you know roughly for the latex scree and fitting cost /sqm?


    Thanks! You should post some more photos of your place... or do a Houzz tour!

    Comments (35)

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Ps with the gaps in the floor for the vinyl option, could I not just tape over the gaps?? Or fill them first with silicone then tape over so there are no ridges?
      It’s only for a spare bedroom so not as though there will be heavy traffic all the time ...

    • Maths Wife
      4 years ago

      What depth is the ply that's down? Should be around 18mm / 22mm to use as a floor base. If it's thick enough, then just make sure it's screwed sufficiently down, most of it looks ok as far as screws, but one sheet looks like it has none.


      You should poor PVA all over the floor and leave it to dry before putting vinyl down, so taping the gaps might be a good move.

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    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Yes it’s really thick and has a flooring paint on so it’s sealed already.
      Some parts aren’t screwed down as we are having electrics done under the floor still :0)

      So do you think vinyl could go on top if I tape the gaps then? Don’t think there are any ridges as such.

    • Sonia
      4 years ago

      We have vinyl sheeting in our bathroom and it is lovely, non slip too. A ply base was laid but I’m not sure of the thickness. This was 3 yrs ago and it still looks good. I think if you fill the gaps with caulk and rub them down it may do the trick?


      i can remember my dad laying vinyl on top of the original floorboards (I know!) and it was okay for a few years, but of course it did start to split where the gaps were. He was the worst DIY’er ever!



    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      @Sonia - LOL! Your poor dad ;0)

      Over floorboards would be all wobbly I imagine as they often ridge up, ha ha.

      B&q have some really nice laminate in there now (new range) that’s only £8psm and we already have some underlay from a bulk job we purchased. Got to work out the costs for all options as I could try and do the laminate with a cutter if I buy the tools for it. Whereas the carpet/vinyl would need to pay a fitter.

    • Sonia
      4 years ago

      I’m a fan of laminate and have it in my sitting room. It was a cheapie from Topps Tiles that I saw in a house magazine and it was all we could afford at the time. 15 years later it’s still down and we still love it. So easy to clean too. I’m in awe of you fitting it yourself - such a clever girl! :-)

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      I’ve never fitted one before and don’t know where to start but if I want laminate then that’s the only option, ha ha

    • minnie101
      4 years ago

      Hi Tani. I'm with Gabby, am waiting for the Houzz tour! There are lots of instructions for laying laminate online. We attempted laying laminate in our son's room probably 3 years ago which remains unfinished..The laying is really easy to do and we're totally incompetent in terms of diy, the issue was finding something to cut through the laminate for the border. Hired tools didn't work, borrowed and broke a friend's blades etc so a border remains unfinished but amazingly hasn't lifted (reminder to put on my to do list!). We also had a laminate professionally laid in our basement (probably not the best flooring option but didn't realise at the the time) and needed access to the pump and drain for the tanking system. I asked the fitter to basically cut planks to fit and then glue them together. I wasn't aware at the time but laminate contracts and expands with temperature/humidity as real wood does although to a lesser degree. Anyway my husband ended up having to sand down the edges when we first checked the pump but it's pretty inconspicuous so you could potentially do the same for access?

      PS would love to see the campervan conversion when it's done :)


      https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/laying-laminate-flooring/CC_npci_100028.art

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Thanks both! @Minnie - did you try the laminate cutter (like a guillotine?)

      @Gabby - we paid about £1445 which included the dpm (poured) and screed high temp and he had to do a lot of faffing and filling in as the base was a right mess!

      The screed was on the new section which was approx 8m x 4m
      Floor laying (glue down) was over that and the lounge which was around 5m x 3m

    • Gabby Wong
      4 years ago

      Ouch! I knew that fitting LVT was expensive! but it basically doubles the cost of the flooring!


      Good to know we're not being totally fleeced... gonna ask around and see what we can get!

    • Alison Rhodes
      4 years ago

      If you lay laminate you may find it difficult to get to stop tap. Could you till the gaps paint it a colour you like and a nice rug?

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      @gabby, yeah, it’s a large room and we worked it out at about £2,500 for it. But it’s lovely underfoot and never feels cold

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      @bumpy the current floor isn’t suitable to be left as it is as it’s a bit of a jigsaw effect, LOL.
      We will basically create a false panel to access the stop tap as it’s by the far wall. We kind of did a similar thing in our last house where we hid the cables for the tv etc and it worked well. Pop off skirting and a hook on the edge of the floor to lift the panel up. Tap is at the top as we moved it as far up as we could :0)

    • Gabby Wong
      4 years ago

      Yea, I think it just goes back to me not wanting to spend so much... my partner wants to have the same flooring throughout downstairs... not just the extension which is what really makes it sooo expensive!

    • PRO
      RJ Flooring Specialists
      4 years ago

      you've got a few different options, I'd say. Some cheaper than others. I personally think luxury vinyl tiles would be perfect, even glueing where the stop tap is. Doesn't take much to get them up, a few seconds with a heat gun and they come up super easy. You would have to 6mm ply on top of your existing ply though to do this, 18mm moves too much and your lvt would form gaps within a year.


      Laminate would be the most cost effective plan (or just sheet vinyl).

      If you're going to fit it yourself, id advise only buying the brand called quick - much more fitter friendly than any other and fitting properly isn't as easy as it looks. P.s start at the hardest part of the room - normally the doorway. and work towards the easy bit.


      Any advice or help feel free to let me know and I will try my best to answer.


      Rob

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Thanks Rob.
      Vinyl tiles (which we had in our extension) is just too much work and would require a lot more prep and it’s not worth it for a spare bedroom really.

      I think it’s between the vinyl sheet and me taping the joints (also because I can easily pull it up by the stop tap) OR laminate.

      Vinyl would be so much quicker and easier but I will go and visit a local seller to see what the wood effect is like. Just worry about moving furniture around and it being permanently squashed in places!

      Does anyone think it would be weird though having vinyl sheet wood effect in a bedroom? I mean it’s clean and warmer underfoot than laminate. Do people actually use it for bedrooms??

    • PRO
      RJ Flooring Specialists
      4 years ago

      A lot of new builds have vinyl sheet - mainly to keep the costs down.

      They've come quite a long way over the years so look pretty good.

      you have to remember though, its only 3-6mm thick give or take, so shows every subfloor imperfection through.

      if you're determined on laying straight on top of the floor you have - I'd grab some ardex feather finish and just give the whole thing a quick trowel over to fill all the nasty gaps and screw holes.

    • Monica
      4 years ago

      You could go vinyl sheet in a bedroom and just lay some fluffy rugs around the bed so when guests get out the bed they have something cozy underfoot.
      It will be perfectly adequate and easy to look after. No one will ever care to be honest as not much time spent in there other than for sleeping. I have it in my studio and I drag tables around all the time for classes and workshops. Two years down still looking fine.

    • Alison Rhodes
      4 years ago

      Vinyl sounds like a good compromise and from Rob's comments it is being used in bedrooms, the fluffy rug idea from Monica sounds ideal and once the furniture is in you won't be dragging it around that much I suppose. You also have planned access for the stop tap too. I hope the vinyl in the shop is suitable. Good luck.

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Thanks everyone! I will take a look at the vinyl firs then and get that priced up then second option would be laminate. :0)

    • Jonathan
      4 years ago

      Laminate is dead easy to fit- especially if you already have either a circular saw or a jigsaw.
      My recommendation is don’t skimp on the underlay, tape the joints in the ply (and all the edges) to stop drafts, and put skirting boards on afterwards to hide edges (and avoid having beading) and have a think about where to start and finish as the last plank may end up being a small sliver which would be better away from the door and when cutting around something fiddly consider cutting the object with a hacksaw and sliding the floor underneath (such as the door architrave).
      A professional could do it in an hour so it is unlikely to take you all afternoon. There are also videos online to show how easy it is.

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      @ Jonathan I have that gold foam underlay which we got a bulk of when I did the other bedrooms.
      The entrance door is a weird angle as well so i think for someone as inexperienced as me, it might take me a couple of days to lay, ha ha.
      I have a jigsaw and chop saw but I suffer badly with dust allergies so the house has been hell this last year. Though about the cutter for straight cuts for speed and less dust but would have to use the jigsaw for the other cuts, I agree.
      Will get some pricing in and see how I feel. We also have a bay window and two alcoves in the room so it’s one of the hardest rooms to lay flooring in!! LOL.

      Skirting will go in afterwards as it all got removed.

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Ie photos of the room with awkward areas!

    • Gabby Wong
      4 years ago

      Hopefully you already have one Tani, but if not I'd recommend getting a mask to help minimise the dust you breathe in whilst doing the floor if you go for laminate!


      Worth spending more investing in a more expensive one that fits you better. so try and make sure it's a small enough size


      FFP masks the higher the number the more they should filter out if they fit well.

      FFP3 is good enough for medical grade highly infectious type situations.

      When you've got them on, if you cover the vent on them, and take a deep breath in you should manage to create a slight seal, find it difficult to draw in more air, and feel the suction like if you've got a snorkelling mask. Though I suspect you'll struggle to get a perfect fit from most off the shelf in B&Q it all helps!

      (apologies if I'm preaching to the choir!)

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      @Gabby yes we have a really good mask that’s like a proper gas mask but it’s my eyes as well and I find I just can’t cope with wearing a sealed mask and full face mask for any length of time. Plus the dust just carry’s through the house and gets everywhere so we are trying to reduce any dust in the house full stop and sanding to a minimum.
      I’m currently hand scraping all the old gloss paint off our bedroom bannister rails which is taking so long but better than sanding, LOL!

      It’s ok as the laminate cutter will be fine for most straight cuts and I can do shaped cuts outside with the jigsaw and masks on etc

      I am leaning more towards the vinyl with rugs now though the more we discuss this, HA HA

      Just I have so much left on the house to do that any less work I can make myself, the better!

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Ok so I’ve been to a local flooring company and it turns out that having carpet, vinyl or laminate fitted would be pretty much all the same price ie £280 for our size of room based on average prices but the cheapest laminate.
      So we will go with the laminate - better qualify and just fit it ourselves!
      Another job on my long list now :0(

    • Jason Lamb
      4 years ago

      get a guillotine, awesome for straight cuts. at your door way, place a piece of laminate or same thickness piece of wood and cut the bottom of your door frame off. then just slide an easy cut piece under (as rob says, starting atvthe hard part) which gives u expansion room and saves trying to cut around architraves.....

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      @Jason yes I’ve seen the guillotenes online - it kind of crushes the edge when it cuts it but won’t see it anyway so that should be ok :0)

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      I got prices from a local supplier based on carpet/vinyl/laminate being around the £10-12 psqm price and they were all similar prices ie £280-300 inc fitting.

      However if I get laminate then of course my OH will expect me to fit it to save money, lol. I’m not sure I can face the extra job and vinyl is a no no now due to the floor not being quite level without boarding over it again (more cost)

      So if I do go for a carpet - being a downstairs room and probably having sports equipment in it as well (so likely to get walked on with shoes etc) .. should I go for the cheaper textured style they put in rentals?? I like the idea of texture and slight pattern and not fluffy carpet due to me having bad dust allergies...

      Any recommendations on what looks good and isn’t too pricey?
      Would have loved herringbone pattern but all so expensive

    • minnie101
      4 years ago

      Hi Tani. Just reading a magazine and saw this shelf for the kitchen and thought of you. I thought I'd post it just in case you hadn't made anything and by some miracle either of the sizes work :)


      https://www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350065688.aspx?dim1=1&dim2=1&mkwid=s0XePusCj_dt%7Cpcrid%7C115319265671%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cslid%7C%7Cpgrid%7C34556832911%7Cptaid%7Cpla-411684284565%7Cproductid%7C35006568800010001873219&omniturecode=Google-Shopping-PPC%2AShopping_Home_%26_Furniture_New%20%3E%20Storage_Med%7EHOME%20%26%20FURNITURE%20%3E%20Storage%20%3E%20Shelves&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwIPrBRCJARIsAFlVT8-OhjA9O0-X5nfhxfkGhpKL4R8TtG1FfRszz47SfzRLau7LXI-sjHwaAqvVEALw_wcB

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Oo cool, thanks Minnie! No we haven’t done the hanging shelf over the island yet. We ended up putting large gold mesh light over it instead, LOL. Was too much to work out with the sloping ceiling etc so thought we could always do it in future when the house is finished.

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Ps but they have some fab shelves on that site and that could work elsewhere depending on how much weight it takes so will check it out

    • nmlondon
      4 years ago

      If you still consider carpets, check out https://designer-carpet.co.uk
      I bought this Crucial Trading carpet remnants two years ago (no way I could afford the full size) it was cut to make two lengths, and Zigzags are now horizontal rather than vertical. Some remnants are quite wide and long.

    • Tani H-S
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Oh thanks! Will check them out :0)

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