Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Is it criminal??
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Is it criminal??
04-24-01, 12:37 AM
My husband and I recently bought a 900sq ft. 1906 bungalow. It has hardwood in the porch, kitchen, main bedroom and living room for sure...we haven't been able to pry away enough of the 1950's lino in the bathroom and spare room to know for sure what's under there.
Something needs to be done with the floors but the question is what.
My sister thinks anything but restoration is criminal.
My husband wants to go the whole 9 yards with a new subfloor and flooring.
I would like to paint the wood flooring. I want something thats easy to care for (I have 3 dogs) and I just don't think it would really be possible to re-do the floors to a point that they would look good stained and varnished...or at least I don't have the time/$$$ to get it to that point. It has gouges in some places nearing a half inch deep. My theory is we can go wild with the wood filler and not worry about how it takes stain if we paint.
So based on these three options what would you do??
I have some guilt about painting but I figure at least that way if the next person who buys the house is more ambitious/rich than I am they can sand away the paint and re-finish.
And finally, if we were to go ahead with painting...
1. Would I just sand, prime and paint? Do I need to prime?
2. What is the best type of paint to use?
4. Will I need to seal the paint in some way?
3. Should I still allow 72 hours curing time?
Sorry this got so long...I look forward to hearing reactions on how to deal with this situation.
Casey
Something needs to be done with the floors but the question is what.
My sister thinks anything but restoration is criminal.
My husband wants to go the whole 9 yards with a new subfloor and flooring.
I would like to paint the wood flooring. I want something thats easy to care for (I have 3 dogs) and I just don't think it would really be possible to re-do the floors to a point that they would look good stained and varnished...or at least I don't have the time/$$$ to get it to that point. It has gouges in some places nearing a half inch deep. My theory is we can go wild with the wood filler and not worry about how it takes stain if we paint.
So based on these three options what would you do??
I have some guilt about painting but I figure at least that way if the next person who buys the house is more ambitious/rich than I am they can sand away the paint and re-finish.
And finally, if we were to go ahead with painting...
1. Would I just sand, prime and paint? Do I need to prime?
2. What is the best type of paint to use?
4. Will I need to seal the paint in some way?
3. Should I still allow 72 hours curing time?
Sorry this got so long...I look forward to hearing reactions on how to deal with this situation.
Casey
04-27-01, 01:17 PM
Well, I personally hate to see wood floors covered over, BUT it sounds like you have an exception. 1/2" deep gouges are serious since most hardwood flooring is only 3/4" thick. You didn't say if these gouges are everywhere, just on the porch, ...
If you don't feel that you have the money to redo the floors, I can't imagine that you have the money to rip it up and replace all of it (although you didn't say what your husband wants to replace it with). From my personal experience (I refinished our living room and hallway this winter, about 350 sq. ft.) for about $150. $80 to rent the sander and the rest went for a gallon of stain, two gallons of polyurethane, lambswool applicators, sandpaper, etc.
Hardwoods are easy maintenance. Just vacuum often to keep down the dust build-up and keep the dogs' nails trimmed regularly. (and wipe up any accidents quickly.)
If the gouges occur in one area only, you may want to consider replacing the floor boards in that area and finish them to match the original (definitely cheaper than replacing the entire floor.) But, if you decide that painting is the choice, then you most definitely want to prime the surface after sanding. This will seal up the pores in the wood and keep it from soaking up so much paint.
Al
If you don't feel that you have the money to redo the floors, I can't imagine that you have the money to rip it up and replace all of it (although you didn't say what your husband wants to replace it with). From my personal experience (I refinished our living room and hallway this winter, about 350 sq. ft.) for about $150. $80 to rent the sander and the rest went for a gallon of stain, two gallons of polyurethane, lambswool applicators, sandpaper, etc.
Hardwoods are easy maintenance. Just vacuum often to keep down the dust build-up and keep the dogs' nails trimmed regularly. (and wipe up any accidents quickly.)
If the gouges occur in one area only, you may want to consider replacing the floor boards in that area and finish them to match the original (definitely cheaper than replacing the entire floor.) But, if you decide that painting is the choice, then you most definitely want to prime the surface after sanding. This will seal up the pores in the wood and keep it from soaking up so much paint.
Al