Family room flooring
+16
Have a family room built after the original house on a concrete slab. Currently it is carpeted but I wonder if I have any other options that are economical. Room opens up to a dining room with hardwood floors.
Family room
19 answers
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If you want something durable, you could go for vinyl self-stick tile or snap-together vinyl plank. Both are easy to install, self-stick tiles are pretty cheap. Ceramic tile wouldn't cost a lot if you install it yourself and get tile on sale, but it's a hard, cold surface. You can get hardwood from Lumber Liquidators or Floor and Decor for less than $2 per square foot.
Darla
on May 20, 2016
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Try the paper bag modge podge on the concrete
Julie
on May 20, 2016
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Not really economical but a thought. My parents den is sunken and on a slab the rest of the house is raised pillars, They removed the carpet and installed an under floor heating system and then install an engineered wood floor specifically made for concrete slabs. It worked great and warmed up what was normally a cold room. They did all the work themselves to save cost. Unfortunately the den flooded last OCT with all the record rain we had, the wood floors still look great, however the heat stopped working so it will all have to be replaced, They plan on doing it themselves. Ages 71 and 72. Mom cuts Dad installs.
Lagree Wyndham
on May 20, 2016
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My den is on a slab as well as my hallway,I have Put in laminate flooring. It is not that expensive.
Janet Pizaro
on May 20, 2016
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Whatever you choose be certain you install a vapor barrier to avoid moisture wicking up into your new choice of flooring
MN Mom
on May 20, 2016
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I would seriously consider sealing the concrete - you could stain it first if you wanted a color (or to cover any stains) but I'd stay with the neutral gray. Sealer is very easy to do and cheap. Just be sure the concrete is very clean - use your vac after initially sweeping it. In the winter you could use room-size rug(s) to warm things up. You can also use wax to seal the concrete - it will darken it a little - this is a bit more work and expense because you will need a buffer. Good luck...
Debbi Sullivan
on May 21, 2016
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You could try painting with garage floor paint and then putting large rugs wherever you want warmth. I imagine you could also put tiles or linoleum. I would ask at Home Depot or someplace like that before I made a decision. You could also do the paper bag method. Good luck and send us a picture when you are done.
Barb
on May 21, 2016
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Use concrete stain in a rustic tone will look great, we've done this in many new houses.
Roo4069369
on May 21, 2016
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I have done a checkerboard design painted floor using a chalk line and then variety of pastel colors stain 'washes, so it looked antique. Then sealed with a marine varathane. Then any area rug to soften the touch would work well. As it is multicolored, but al fadeld looking, almost anything matches in decor.
Johnchip
on May 21, 2016
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Considering where you live It get cold I would leave the carpet down. I live on west coast and I can't stand cold floors so keep that in mind.... but then maybe it doesn't bother you.
Kathy Bitzan
on May 21, 2016
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We tiled an addition to our house in Ohio on slab. 20+ years later it is still there and still beautiful, even though we no longer live there. You can put an area rug down in the winter if you are worried about cold.
Linda
on May 21, 2016
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I see you're in Mission, KS... I remember the winters in Ft Riley and I know that a bare or painted concrete slab would get VERY cold to your feet and have a chilling effect on the room temperature, creating cold spots and a need for more heat in the space. That would be uncomfortable and more expensive to heat. Since this is a family room where a lot of time is spent, I would definitely suggest you have good insulation under whatever surface you decide. Do you want it to absorb sounds and be a quiet room? Carpet is still best for that and is actually a bargain compared to most floor coverings. Do you want it to have rough and tumble wear resistance? Vinyl plank flooring is relatively inexpensive (over a good insulation and moisture barrier) and easy to install yourself and actually pretty easy to repair. It's very tough and spill and stain proof which is great for kids and pets. Placing area rugs over it would reduce the echos of TV's and laughing kids. It comes in just about any look you could want. It's almost summer, but I would suggest you get a thermometer with a probe and place it under the current carpet against the slab. I think you'll be surprised how cool the concrete is, even now. Just saying, make sure you think this through before you make any major change you won't be happy about. Also I know storm doors and windows are common the Kansas but I can't tell if your door and windows have single or double pane energy saving glass. If not, the old saying is true that a single pane window just keeps the wind out. Otherwise it's like having a bunch of big holes in your wall letting all the heat easily flow in or out.
Phil a
on May 21, 2016
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Stained concrete is beautiful. Not hard to do, many colors to choose from, holds up under traffic and not very expensive!!
Bobbie
on May 22, 2016
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Took the advice of one very smart person who said that I should consider the outdoor climate and the temperature of the room. I think carpeting was put in for a reason and I will probably replace it after painting. Thanks to all.
Barbara Roberts
on May 22, 2016
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There are many different options out there.Such as engineered wood,also you can install a heated floor,then either lay down tile or wood
Norm Duffy
on May 23, 2016
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We cut out grooves and put in a heated floor then put laminate on it.
Daw3000588
on May 23, 2016
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Many solutions but I thought of the temp in the room and my personal finances to decide
Barbara Roberts
on May 23, 2016
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Thanks. As they say, "there's nothing between Kansas and the North Pole but a barbed-wire fence."
Phil a
on May 24, 2016
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Area rugs placed on top of a beautiful stained concrete floor would look awesome....
Bobbie
on May 25, 2016
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