DIY beginner, don't know what to do with the floor!

[vivalagloria]

Hello!

I'm trying to redecorate my downstairs but it's challenging because I have no experience and am pretty much making it up as I go along. I managed to plaster a small section of wall and have wallpapered the living room though, so I'm not doing too badly so far. But I'm not sure what to do with the floor, so maybe someone here can help!

It's an open plan living/dining room that was once two rooms but the wall was knocked out in the middle into a kind of archway. The living room part has a concrete floor and the dining room part has floorboards.

I thought about sanding the floorboards and treating them with a wood finish because that sounds quite simple, but unfortunately in two parts of the room the floorboards have been replaced with big pieces of chipboard (I think) so that would look a bit rubbish. The floorboards are quite uneven. Do you think carpet is the only option for that flooring?

The concrete is in OK condition but in some places the top layer has chipped off a bit, but it's only a few mm. Presumably underlay would help conceal that, so I could use laminate or vinyl?

Would it be too weird to have two different types of flooring in one open plan living space? I think the only way to have a uniform flooring is with carpet, but I need to save as much money as possible so am trying to avoid having to get a professional in.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Joanne

P.S. sorry for the long post!

 

[misterhelpful]

Hi Joanne, welcome

I'm not a flooring expert, but can say from experience of laying a fair few laminate floors that there isn't any reason why you can't lay it on top of both the surfaces you have. Of course, this depends on the fact that the floors are solid, even and level with each other - fibre board underlay will take up some unevenness between floorboards.

When it comes to the underlay, there are many types, and the flooring guys will no doubt be able to tell you which is most suitable for your situation. You will probably need a moisture barrier on the concrete floor beneath the underlay though.

You can also go down the carpet route if you prefer, but I do agree that different flooring in each area can look a little odd, although it's often done.

I presume that in saying you are looking to save money, you plan to do the laminate yourself. If so, be aware that the need to buy tools, accessories and extra boards if you make mistakes, might just work out more expensive than paying a carpet fitter.

Congrats on the decorating BTW. (That's my job!)

 

[lymmranger]

It will be your budget that dictates your choice as misterhelpful has already advised.

All flooring has advantages and disadvantages, you will need to weigh up which is the best choice for you/your family.

1/ Carpet - comes in a huge variety of qualities,
natural wool is hard wearing and keeps its looks over time, but has poor stain resistance
polypropylene is almost the equal of wool and is very stain resistant ( you can dilute bleach clean it)
nylon comes with a confusing aray of names, is very hard wearing but is only stain resistant if treated, which puts it towards the top of the market price wise

All 3 materials are made (tufted usually) into twist pile and loop pile carpets

several choices can be purchased with a felt backing allowing you to dispense with underlay

You mention your floor, Yes underlay would even out (minor) discrepancy`s and would make the carpet more comfortable to walk on

2/ vinyl cushionfloor - comeas in a variety of designs and qualities, but ideally your floor needs to be smooth and blemish free - in your case that would mean additional cost with a combination of screed and ply boarding first

3/ laminate/wood floors - again a boggling choice! - avoid cheaper ranges they do not last. They are usually installed on an underlay which would level up minor floor discrepancies.

4/ Other choices include LVT, natural flooring (sisal etc)

Cost wise.... it depends where you are in the country and whether you are doing any of it yourself, as a guide.....

carpet - can be as little as £4-5 a m2 plus fitting
vinyl - starting around £8m2 plus fitting
laminate - quality stuff from approx £10m2 plus fitting
LVT - from £60m2 (inc fitting)

on top of these prices you will pay extra for screed, ply boarding, underlay, door plates, gripper, and fitting but you get the idea...

If you could be more specific with regard to budget, lifestyle, and desired "look" we can try and help more

(phew! - need a coffee now)