How can we redo our floor without hitting the floor with the cost?

Bly28528178
by Bly28528178
We are trying to remodel on a very tight budget and most recently pulled up carpet that was original orange shag from 1963! Underneath is laminate squares. We like the concrete look but unsure how to go about it or if it is cost effective? HELP!icon

  4 answers
  • Yie32925184 Yie32925184 on Jun 23, 2018

    I would leave the laminate in place as that era and previous to that era the laminate might possibly contain asbestos. (I think it is the 9x9" tiles contain asbestos, you might be able to purchase a test kit or have a professional come in a check the home for lead and asbestos) There are budget friendly wood floor options I've noticed on Hometalk...one is to purchase plywood with on side finished and have the lumber yard or Home Depot if you purcahse there cut the plywood to your desired width.... I've also seen tutorials on paper bag floor (Kraft paper) it looks nice.

    • Bly28528178 Bly28528178 on Jun 23, 2018

      I didn't even consider the asbestos! Thanks for the heads up and the great ideas!

  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 23, 2018

    Not knowing much about what is under that laminate...


    Take up every layer down to the sub-flooring. The thing about concrete that was poured to be covered with a product is that it is not always in a desirable condition...i.e., it has bumps in it and is rarely level. I know this because hubs and son had a terrible time using leveling compound when putting down laminate in son's condo. Hopefully you will be lucky and find a great concrete pour.


    But you can put down ply-board and then use the paper bag and glue then sealed method. Here are some great photos and instructions on how to do this...


    https://www.google.com/search?q=photos+of+paper+bag+flooring&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS751US751&oq=photos+of+paper+bag+flooring&aqs=chrome..69i57.8583j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

  • Sea R Sea R on Jun 23, 2018

    My best friend's husband bought some tile from Home Depot. It came with some sort of leveling solution. A special cutting tool made it possible to cut around the toilet without taking it out. He put it right over the 1960's laminate with the flowers and grooves---we all know the one! I think it looks really nice and has just enough texture to keep old people from slipping!

  • Bly28528178 Bly28528178 on Jun 23, 2018

     Thanks for the tips