Sorry for long post. Thanks in advance!
OK - as part of my basement finishing project (living space, not workshop). I am considering my flooring choices. I want to keep costs down as much as possible yet get decent results. I know those are at odds. Anyway....
Two sections, stairs between. One side will get carpet and pad. The other side SWMBO wants something that is easy spill cleanup (Crafty area).
First question - will it be weird to have two different flooring materials in two different areas of basement? Stairs separate. Stairs will be carpeted as will bottom of stairs.
OK - Now for the crafty area. I think my choices are as follows.
Laminate
Engineered
Linoleum
vinyl
paint
stain/sealer
tile
Next question - Am I missing anything?
Laminate - Pros, relatively cheap. cons, looks and feels like crap.
Engineered - Pros, looks good. Cons, most expensive, may feel weak underfoot unless glued down.
Linoleum - pros, durable, green. Cons, finding it, cost.
vinyl - pros, durable, can be cheap. Cons, looks, can be expensive.
paint - pros, quick, easy, cheap. Cons, looks.
stain/sealer - pros, cheap, look. Cons, drywallers spray painted floor, prep, mess.
tile - pros, can be cheap. Cons, time consuming install, not the look we want.
So - I'm a bit undecided. I am leaning toward an engineered wood floor, installed by myself. Maybe glued down to give it a more solid feel. I will not add a sub-floor due to desire to maximize headroom. Moisture is less than 2% (dry).
I guess what has be a bit befuddled is trying to envision how it will look to have a little more than half the space carpeted and the other section with a wood floor. Also, the wood floor will cost 4 to 7 times more than the carpet we picked out. For carpet we are getting a clearance product for 48c /sq ft. Engineered wood, say from lumber liquidators, will be about $2 / sq ft.
Area for engineered floor is about 230 sq ft, carpet is about 600 sq ft including stairs.
I'm not sure the budget will allow for wood floor throughout. If it was only 800 sq ft that would be one thing. I suspect I will pay through the nose for stair treads and the like to match.
I'm rambling. I suppose if the consensus is to put engineered floor throughout then I'll make the case and find the budget. If the consensus is to carpet part and X on part then I suppose that's how I'll go. Or, I may do something entirely different. What would you do?
OK - as part of my basement finishing project (living space, not workshop). I am considering my flooring choices. I want to keep costs down as much as possible yet get decent results. I know those are at odds. Anyway....
Two sections, stairs between. One side will get carpet and pad. The other side SWMBO wants something that is easy spill cleanup (Crafty area).
First question - will it be weird to have two different flooring materials in two different areas of basement? Stairs separate. Stairs will be carpeted as will bottom of stairs.
OK - Now for the crafty area. I think my choices are as follows.
Laminate
Engineered
Linoleum
vinyl
paint
stain/sealer
tile
Next question - Am I missing anything?
Laminate - Pros, relatively cheap. cons, looks and feels like crap.
Engineered - Pros, looks good. Cons, most expensive, may feel weak underfoot unless glued down.
Linoleum - pros, durable, green. Cons, finding it, cost.
vinyl - pros, durable, can be cheap. Cons, looks, can be expensive.
paint - pros, quick, easy, cheap. Cons, looks.
stain/sealer - pros, cheap, look. Cons, drywallers spray painted floor, prep, mess.
tile - pros, can be cheap. Cons, time consuming install, not the look we want.
So - I'm a bit undecided. I am leaning toward an engineered wood floor, installed by myself. Maybe glued down to give it a more solid feel. I will not add a sub-floor due to desire to maximize headroom. Moisture is less than 2% (dry).
I guess what has be a bit befuddled is trying to envision how it will look to have a little more than half the space carpeted and the other section with a wood floor. Also, the wood floor will cost 4 to 7 times more than the carpet we picked out. For carpet we are getting a clearance product for 48c /sq ft. Engineered wood, say from lumber liquidators, will be about $2 / sq ft.
Area for engineered floor is about 230 sq ft, carpet is about 600 sq ft including stairs.
I'm not sure the budget will allow for wood floor throughout. If it was only 800 sq ft that would be one thing. I suspect I will pay through the nose for stair treads and the like to match.
I'm rambling. I suppose if the consensus is to put engineered floor throughout then I'll make the case and find the budget. If the consensus is to carpet part and X on part then I suppose that's how I'll go. Or, I may do something entirely different. What would you do?