Do you like scavenger hunts? How about when there is a big payoff? Based on the comments to a post earlier this week about remodeling budgets, I think most of you LOVE to hunt for cheaper versions of the fancy look! I know I do. Gives me shivers just thinking about it!
Try this one on for size…
This is one pretty floor! I found it on the website that sells it, and I have to say, it is beautiful. Based on what I read, this is one finely done floor. But if I were to guess, I’d guess it’s close to $20.00 per sf (possibly much more). So what if there is no way you can pay that. Watchu gonna do?
What about this look from the same company…
Nice. Nice. Nice. In fact, this whole room is kinda cool.
Wood is Trees
It seems like people forget sometimes that wood is a pretty basic material. If you’re willing to accept some imperfections, you can get wood for very low cost.
If I wanted this floor and couldn’t afford it, here is what I’d do:
- Take a picture to a local wood expert such as a specialty hardwood supplier. Hopefully, they’ll give you some respect, but if not get as much information as possible. What you really need to know is what species available locally would have similar grain and color.
- I’d try and get some samples to play with if I could and once I had one or two species narrowed down, I can just call around on the phone and get prices for the material. Unless I’m looking for a very rustic look (which is very popular), then I’ll want T&G (tounge and groove) wood. This interlocks together.
- If you really feel like a dope, call some places further away first so you can get the lingo down before calling the local places Just be careful about wasting someone’s time if you have no interest at all in buying from them…when I’m in that situation (just fishing for info) I come right out and tell them. Some help, some won’t.
- Once you know the lingo, you can get some great prices. Renting the tools to install the floor isn’t expensive and the job isn’t that hard to figure out. There are hundreds of refrences on-line. You can check some of the links at my Mr. How-To post for a place to start looking.
- I’d use some scraps to try out different finish methods until I got it right. Then go for it. If you’re going for a high-gloss finish you might want a professional. It’s not easy to get a clean high-gloss on a large area.
- You could start in a small home-office or powder room for practice if you don’t want to tackle a whole big floor at once.
Okay, I’ll admit, I’m over-simplifying the job a little. But it is just wood. You can do it if you want to. Even if you hire it out, you can get major savings by shopping around and being willing to look at a number of species. You’ll hear a whole lot about hardness…but it’s not that complex. You can take a sample and decide for yourself if it’s hard enough.
Anyway, just an idea along the lines of finding high-dollar inspiration and a low-dollar solution!
Any questions or comments are welcome!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank for for the excellent suggestions. My question is about what type of flooring to use in a kitchen we would like to refresh with a minimal budget. We have a 30 yold home with the original linoleum . We love the look of hardwood but wonder if we should go with tile since we have a dog, three kids and a door to the hot tub/deck off the kitchen. We tell them to wipe their feet when they come in but I have to sweep a minimum of once a day and find puddles occasionally. I worry about damage to wood. I have heard that laminate doesn’t hold up to water well either and resale benefit is negligible. I would welcome your thoughts.
I am responding to Majorie sorry long comment but I had to put my 2 cents in: Last year we refinished our living room hardwood floors and decided to put laminate in dinning room bc it is adjoining and thought it would look better if all wood right?!? Bad mistake, having a toddler our laminate is now gouged,nicked, and top layers are flaking off..no help either bc where we bought it they didn’t install so no replacement from them( we did it ourselves to be cheaper). The toddler had help with just frequent life in our household and weather. So I beg you to not go with laminate.period. in any rooms just to save a few bucks. We did ceremic tile in our kitchen ourselves as well…not too bad but very back breaking being our first time. If you go with tile take into consideration about the grout we went darker tint bc we have a life and spend time with family and not cleaning..I am not saying we are dirty, but I like my family time now and clean later, don’t want to miss these years..grout can be very time consuming to try to keep clean. HTH
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you…
I agree that laminate is a bad choice in wet areas. Real wood does a little better, but it sounds like tile is the way to go for your situation. There are some great “wood look” tiles if you really want that look. No matter what style you choose, tile sounds like you best bet.
Thanks for the input. Stylistically, wood would be the most attractive, but out home is on 2 wooded acres so we tromp in SO much dirt despite exterior shoe baskets and entry rugs that tile might make sense. Good point about dark grout. Anything will look better than the linoleum. Thanks again.