Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Jun 27, 2012 12:15 am Any thoughts will be most welcomed, thank you. Here's my situation: For both aesthetics and passive solar benefits, my first preference is/was polished concrete, however, M'con won't oblige. M'con are offering a package to us that includes timber-look laminate flooring. However, this is not ideal on two fronts. One, it will insulate the floor and negate the benefit of having thermal mass in the form of a concrete slab. Two, a DEAL BREAKER for me is the timber beading around the perimeter and kitchen cabinetry (many apologies to those who have such). Must add that this is by far our cheapest option. I then investigated tiles that would look similar to a concrete floor and came up with these... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This, I believe, would solve both the aesthetics and the energy efficiency problem. Unfortunately, due to the nature (ie. porcelain) and size (600x600 or 600x300) of the tile, this will cost an additional $15 K (give or take). There is always the option of arranging this ourselves following handover, but I have no idea of the associated pros and cons. Then there is this option- we have someone who can lay solid timber flooring for us following handover. The cost would work out to be similar to our chosen tile option, but despite a BIG tick for a quality job and aesthetics, it's not the best for energy efficiency. Which makes me wonder how much difference it will make in the long run anyway. That is, is it enough to sway my (OUR) decision? If anyone can assist me here, I can post my floor plan with orientation, size of windows etc. So, if someone can just tell me what to do I'd be very grateful. My problem it seems, is not being able to compare apples with apples. Is my priority aesthetics, short term cost savings, or long term cost savings? Yes, that's a question ! Must stop here, I don't know about anyone else, but I've given myself a headache! Re: Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look 5Jun 27, 2012 10:07 pm We have had floor boards in our last two builds. Love, love them, especially this time with the matt finish. Prior to building we had tiles. They were cold and very hard on the legs when doing a lot of prep in the kitchen. Also the floor boards are very easy to keep clean. Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look lam 6Jun 28, 2012 9:16 am MissyP Melbourne too, JB1. Thanks, yes, totally love the look. It will be NSW Spotted Gum, satin (?matt) finish if we go that way. Concrete and tiles are just so cold and uninviting in Melbourne's winter compared to timber. Re: Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look 7Jun 28, 2012 9:48 am JB1 Concrete and tiles are just so cold and uninviting in Melbourne's winter compared to timber. I wonder if there would be any difference in the temperature/hardness between tiles and polished concrete? I'm thinking not. Re: Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look 8Jun 28, 2012 5:14 pm No. Concrete and tiles works for flooring works well in hot QLD climates, but I don't think putting floorboards will take away from the thermal mass. Once you've had timber floorboards, you'll never go back to tiles (well at least I won't) Re: Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look 9Jul 02, 2012 4:17 pm We had sandstone tiles in a house, they were nowhere near as cold as ceramic tiles and were great with regard to thermal mass. Our next build will probably have them again with persian rugs. Re: Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look 10Jul 24, 2012 1:59 pm Hi All, @MissyP : I love the minimalist look of Diamond polished concrete. I'm building with the M'con (Melbourne). I was thinking of doing this after handover as M'con does not do polished concrete and they categorically refused to even have provision for Polished concrete. The reason...it will affect their 25 Year warranty even if you are ready to pay for better concrete mix. Some quirks of doing it after handover is difference in floor type height(where concrete meets tiles or carpet) and you might need to re do the skirtings. Which flooring did you end up choosing? I would like to know if anyone has done the polished concrete after handover. Re: Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look 11Jul 24, 2012 3:05 pm I know it sounds really cheap, but have you considered vinyl plank flooring? Gives the look of timber with less maintainance. No beading required, does not put a thick layer of insulation between the slab and you so reduces limitation of thermal mass. We are going this option as we had timber laminate and we found them to be a hassle to clean and not good for kids (spilled liquid equals bubbles). Plus it is not too expensive as money will be tight when build finished (but also not too hard to get rid of if we decide to upgrade the flooring at a later date. Building tip No. 3: A raft slab will not get you down a river. A waffle pod slab does not go with maple syrup. My building thread https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=53000 Opinions wanted for flooring options: tiles, timber-look lam 12Jul 26, 2012 12:24 am Thank you all for your replies. Jyn, hmmm, you have made me re-think the option of polishing after handover. We are currently waiting for contracts, so still time to chop and change our minds! Can't remember if I ruled out doing it post-handover previously for a reason, or if I just got side-tracked whilst enquiring with M if they'd do it for us. Will have to rummage through the forum to re-educate myself - there are a few good threads. I too, would love to hear from anyone who has gone with this option. Might start a new topic... Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 15887 Hi there, I'm a conplete newbie to this, but I'm looking to put a floor down in my 6x9m shed. It's currently sitting on a 100mm thick concrete perimeter (dirt floor… 0 6454 Interested in getting either the Polytec Boston Oak or Palace Peak for kitchen cabinets. Looking at the Boston Oak ones, it appears that the colour varies significantly… 0 9158 |