Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 May 25, 2009 8:30 pm I really do hate to post questions of our own decision making on here, but myself and the missus cannot seem to come to an agreement with the house we're building. I want timber / hardwood floors throughout, I think it'll look smarter, smoother, more elegant etc, and will add to the resale value when the time comes. Also, having been a carpet steam cleaner for a week a long time ago (yes a week, theres a reason I only lasted a week), I was able to come to the conclusion that carpets are in fact nothing but breeding grounds for filth and are something that need to be replaced every so often. I also think the joins between the carpeted areas and the wooden floored areas will look a bit silly. Her argument is that she wasnt carpets in the bedrooms only, and the little hallway off to bedrooms 2 & 3. I think we can put a lovely rug in each bedroom beside / under the bed for her to step out of bed onto, because either way youre eventually going to have to either walk onto the timber floors of the living room, or the tiles of the bathroom, so youre probably going to have your slippers on at that stage. Would appreciate any suggestions from people who have similar disagreements! Thanks! Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 2May 25, 2009 8:38 pm I think either option looks good, but I would most likely favour your wife's thoughts as I believe carpet belongs in a bedroom and timber in the living areas. Blog: http://bluemistkids.blogspot.com "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, and professionals built the Titanic." Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 3May 25, 2009 8:45 pm We are the same, i want timber floor thoughtout but DH wants carpet in bedroom His point is, carpet feels warmer in the bedroom, and my point is, i just hate carpet At the end I just let him having carpet in the bedroom, but once the timber floor done, he then said 'oh i should have timber floor thoughout as it looks so nice' Blog - http://clageonewhouse.blogspot.com/ Building Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10886&hilit=milan I am in, with my husband and my beautiful bunny Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 4May 25, 2009 8:46 pm My wife and I also haggled this for quite a while. In our previous abode we had carpeted bedrooms and floorboards elsewhere. It doesnt look silly when you finish it off properly with trim plates etc. In this house I wanted the same but we eventually decided to get floorboards polished throughout and then, if we changed our minds, we could get rugs or carpet over the top at a later date. I am really glad we didnt get carpets in the bedrooms now. The whole house is much easier to clean and there is a neat uniform look throughout. Also we have put nice Persian style rugs either side of the bed and it looks great. And you are right about the dirt that carpets hold, flloorboards hold little to zero dirt and dust. Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 5May 25, 2009 8:47 pm ah yes same problem...My lovely wife wants bamboo floors everywhere and tiles in wet areas - she won ! Simply, her view is that it is easier to clean. When there are 'little accidents' from 3 pets, or wine etc, then her view is that she is independantly able to clean the floor at the time of the accident - as opposed to getting out all the cleaners or paying someone to steam clean at a later date. From a cost perspective its adding a bit and then you need the rugs, however I think it will work out well ! I am happy to give up on carpet in the bedrooms etc as I recently had to clean dog chuck - again - and was reminded how much easier it would have been hope your not eating.. * Are we there yet ? Demolition has come and gone ! yippeeee..hang on that was months ago !! come on Mr Builder, dig a hole at least Finaly ! Hole Dug ! well done darren 20/06/2010. Slab is down ! Framing is complete 20/10/2010 we are progressing like a snail on heat - excited and determined but very very slow Steveo Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 6May 25, 2009 8:49 pm We are lucky and both want timber floor throughout the entire house, including the kitchen and bedrooms. Nothing beats the look of solid wooden floors. It is also so much cleaner Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 8May 25, 2009 9:45 pm I'll go against the grain and say that carpets should be in bedrooms and timber in living areas!! I'm not a big fan of carpet much either but I think timber is too cold for bedrooms. Idiots are fun, that's why there is one in every village! - Dr. House - Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 9May 25, 2009 10:30 pm Hi beattun, you shouldn't hate posting these sort of questions, we all do it! that's the beauty of this forum, everyone is very helpful and understands what you are going through. I think if cost is not the issue here I would do floorboards through the entire house and then get nice rugs for the bedrooms that can be cleaned, changed, etc. I think carpet is the most unhygienic thing ever invented! (I guess this is the mediterranean blood coming out, you hardly ever seen carpet in homes in Spain, Italy, etc) in saying that we've had to compromise and will do timber in the living areas and carpet (yep, even though I hate them) in the bedrooms as otherwise it blew the budget too far... Building a Wisdom Prosperity 23 - http://erwisdomprosperity.blogspot.com/ Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 10May 25, 2009 10:43 pm Carpet is softer, warmer (probably why you dont see it so much in warm climates like the mediteranean ) and better for sound insulation. I know people are saying they would wear slippers anyway so cold floor doesnt matter but sometimes I sit on my lounge room floor, also carpet better for sound properties in the TV area, so I have chosen carpets in bedrooms and lounge - hard floors in hallways, kitchen and casual liveing. Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 11May 25, 2009 10:46 pm Helyn, I also probably hate carpet because every house where I've lived in that had carpet (both in England and here) were rentals so inheriting someone else's carpet is not nice, I might be converted to carpet in bedrooms when I have my brand new one in my house... who knows! Building a Wisdom Prosperity 23 - http://erwisdomprosperity.blogspot.com/ Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 12May 26, 2009 12:32 pm Another vote for timber in bedrooms! We've had it before, and we're having it again, so that says something. I love the cleanliness of it - no more carpet cleaners - and I love the feel of it underfoot. As for being cold, yes it can be cool, but don't we all wear slippers or socks in winter? and in summer the floor feels wonderful on my feet. We have carpet in the renter, and I can't wait to get back to beautiful boards! Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 13May 26, 2009 12:41 pm If I lived somewhere warm like Queensland, I wouldn't bother with carpet. In Melbourne, I'd go carpet in the bedrooms for sure. We're having carpet in bedrooms, lounge and kids play, tiles everywhere else. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 14May 26, 2009 1:55 pm Sorry beattun I have to agree with your wife. I like carpet. It's nice to be able to sit on something nice and soft and warm on the floor sometimes. (Rugs are ok but still don't have the softness of carpet IMO) I am also not a big slipper-wearer so it's nice to feel carpet under my feet. A poll would be good so your ammunition could be clearer "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions." — Elizabeth Gilbert Living in our new house. Currently scaping the land. Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 15May 26, 2009 5:59 pm From Ash to Beattun and all the carpet haters.... We all have choices. You express your views about carpets (which you are entitled to) but it really is a lot of ill-informed, nonsense! "Breeding grounds for filth"??? Lets put all this into perspective and have some sanity here! We do NOT live in a sterile bubble. The facts are, our own bodies contain billions of bacteria which have a vital purpose in being there. Our environment is alive with microbes of every description. When we create a contained environment in which to live comfortably, there are lots of things which affect how 'healthy' this environment is, and how it looks and feels is also part of the equation. No matter what, our homes are alive with microbial life, and that ain't all bad! So let's forget the ridiculous emotive talk about 'filth' will we? Naturally, we want our homes to be comfortable, attractive and healthy, and a pleasure to live in. The climate in our area is a big factor in what choices of floor-covering and decor we choose, along with many other choices such as housing design, insulation, building materials etc. Now lets look at choices of floor-coverings..... The original question here was about the virtues of all floorboards as opposed to part floorboards, part carpets. I can tell you my opinion. I have sheoak timber through much of the central area of my home, and quality wool carpets in all other areas (including lounge-room) except for wet areas. This is the perfect balance. The fact is each type of flooring has pros and cons. We chose the most appropriate surfaces for their purpose. We have the floorboards for their beauty, style and general aesthetic appeal, and the obvious benefits of a hard surface. We also have carpets for their beauty, style, comfort, and their insulating value (both acoustic and thermal). I wouldn't have it any other way! The 'one size fits all' mentality (same floor throughout) is just not intelligent thinking. Each zone has different factors that will influence the most appropriate floor-covering. I don't much like or agree with the multi-layered affect of rugs on floors. Why pay $120 a sq/m for a hard floor, and then put a $1500 rug over it? Here are some of the regular problems I see with this; Quality rugs are costly (on top of the flooring cost). Cheap rugs are well..... cheap! Rugs moving, rucking, and/or curling at corners. Tripping hazards due to above, or rugs slipping across hard floors. Rugs are more work and cost to have cleaned than wall to wall carpets. Less than a streamlined uncluttered look (can look messy). Beautiful exotic rugs hung on the wall can be a good look, and provide softness in areas with hard floors though. With all of timber's beautiful qualities, here are some downsides; COST! Timber floors installed well cost a lot of $$$$ COST!! Timber floors over a lifetime will cost much more to maintain than carpets. Normally, sanding and re-finishing about every 7 to 10 years is required. Big messy job, clearing furniture, and staying out of the house. Some finishes such as solvent polyurethanes are extremey toxic. Maintenance costs are high! COST!!! Timber does not provide the thermal insulation qualities of carpets. Heating costs are higher, especially in cold climates. This can come to hundreds of $$ each year. HARD Hard surfaces are less forgiving if you fall or drop something. Its harder on your legs and back. (Anyone with back probs out there?) This is a most important and overlooked aspect of flooring choices. INSTALLATION ISSUES Probs due to poor installation. Movement, gaps, cupping, warping, finishing issues. DAMAGE Drop a sharp object, scratch it etc. Many of these things cannot be fixed with resanding & refinishing the whole floor. NOISE I could not live in a house with all hard floors myself. Acoustically it is a nightmare! Especially with kids. It simply is not homely or comfortable without softness in the home. MAINTENANCE Timber floors will show up every bit of dust, requiring frequent dusting. Indoor air quality. Timber floors are fine for indoor air quality, as long as they are constantly dusted. Now back to the nonsense about carpets being 'filthy'.... Carpets become overly soiled and unhealthy ONLY if you neglect or abuse them (so stop talking dirty)!!! Carpets require a decent quality vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration. In most cases, vacuuming once or twice a week is all it needs, sometimes less. With common-sense care, it looks good for many years. Changing a carpet after 15, 20 or 25 years is relatively inexpensive and painless. Cleaning (by a trained and accredited professional) about every 12 to 18 months is advised, and doesn't cost the earth. Spills are usually easy enough to deal with if you tackle it correctly. Talk of dustmites and allergens are GROSSLY overstated. These are not a problem with proper care, even for asthmatics. The main areas these things collect are in the bed, bedding and upholstery. Carpets can enhance the indoor air quality by keeping allergens at floor level (out of the air) until they are vacuumed/cleaned. So, there are no good reasons to not have carpets in your home. Carpets and hard floors meeting at doorways is simply not a problem. There are lots of trims and ways of making the transition neat and tidy. Sounds like your wife has the right idea here. You ought to consider carpet in the lounge room or family room too. But for chrissake..... don't spend all your money on the floorboards, and put crappy cheap carpet in. All this would do is reinforce your pre-conceptions. Ash. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 16May 26, 2009 6:20 pm Your location would have to be a consideration. Lots of ppl in cold areas love carpet. We are going solid timber throughout (except wet areas), & we do get sub zero temps in winter. But I have lived with hard floors for the last 20 years & just love it, loathe carpet (Dirty to me even when it's cleaned regularly). Friends of ours who have just built in our area regret not having carpet in their bedroom. I guess try & make a list of pro's & con's - Michelle has started it for you. Good luck with your decision. HH Life's too short too drink bad wine Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 17May 26, 2009 6:45 pm Parents house is solid timber floors everywhere but the bathrooms/laundry. Over a 20yr period, the maintenance has been a big fat zero! Now sure its showing its age and wear and nothing a good sand and polish couldn't fix but its part of the character of the home. Even having a dog running across the floor for over 5 years hasn't done anymore damage than normal. Drop a glass or plate and its going to make a mark or 2, but it doesn't need any serious cleaning to sort it out. The points about winter are true though, takes a bit longer to heat the house and obviously no where near as efficient as there isn't any insulation under the boards. But that really is the only downside I can see. I'm building a double story so its timber downstairs and carpet upstairs in the hallway/bedrooms (also because of the added sound insulation). But if I was doing a single story, it would be timber throughout and stick with tiles in the wet areas only. Re: Timber floor entire house, or living area? 18May 27, 2009 8:02 pm Add another one to the "timber everywhere except the bathrooms" club. However, we are getting carpet in the home theatre, as it's just better for acoustic purposes. Otherwise, the rest of the house is Trueloc 4000 -- an Australian engineered hardwood timber flooring system. CDC Housing Code 3 When to apply Floor Area external face of wall vs Gross Floor Area internal face of wall. Reading thru CDC Housing Code 3, lets take a lot 915sqm.… 0 16537 3 5580 isn't a garage level with the rest of the house a given? pretty sure they 'came around' long time ago. if you have a flat block, the garage is usually level with the rest… 1 17511 |