Floor

Reply to: I don't know what they mean by an integrated sink for laminate. I would call a Corian countertop with matching Corian sink to be an integrated sink, but you can't get a sink made out of laminate!. I have done an undermounted sink with laminate. There is a specialty countertop company in Kitchener Ontario (KW Countertop) that offers this, using specific Karran brand sinks. The sinks are installed into the substrate and the laminate is attached over top for a very good seal. The look is quite wonderful. I recently did this with a dark butcherblock laminate from Wilsonart. Pictures will be posted on my Houzz profile as soon as I get them from the photographer.

Q

Reply to: Take home a few sample tiles from your tile shop. Run them under the shower and let them dry, see which looks best. Then take some bar soap and write your name on each tile. Which one is least visible? Then spray bathroom cleaner on them and see which comes clean with the least work. IME, light colored tile with a smooth finish will be fine. Medium and darker tiles show hard water spots. The real problem is keeping the grout clean and dry to prevent mildew. Make sure you have a good exhaust fan. If you can go with 6 inch by 6 inch tiles instead of 4 x 4 tiles, you'll have fewer grout lines.

Q

Reply to: 1) Subfloor: concrete or wood? Subfloors are usually made of concrete or wood (plywood, OSB, chipboard). Proper installation requires that the subfloor be clean, dry, flat, smooth and free of dips and bumps. Cracks and sloping subfloors need to be filled and leveled; this can be costly, as it usually requires professional installation. A plywood underlayment may also be needed on top of the subfloor. Note: Marmoleum sheet and tile cannot be glued directly to underlayment or subfloors made of luan, particleboard or chipboard because these materials expand and contract too much and are not stable. Marmoleum Click panels and squares are the only type that can tolerate slight unevenness in the subfloor, up to 3/16" over an 8' span. Larger variations in your subfloor will cause too much stress on the click mechanism and eventually wear it out. Click panels and squares can even be applied over most vinyl or ceramic tile. If you have asbestos tile, before installation please consult with professionals who provide asbestos abatement. 2) Installation: new construction or remodel? In older homes, click panels and squares are preferred because they're easier and faster to install than sheet or tile, and they require much less floor preparation. If you install the flooring directly over another floor such as vinyl, ceramic or hardwood, you can save time and money because there's no tear out required. This is possible with Marmoleum click because it requires no glue or nails, and it floats over the existing flooring or subflooring. Proper vapor barriers are required such as Moisture Block; however, old sheet vinyl can act as a vapor barrier. From: https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/Learning-Center/Flooring-Marmoleum-LC/Marmoleum-Buyers-Guide

Q