A Boring Bit Of Flooring History
We specified carpet throughout the house when we bought it in late '91. That turned out to be a mistake, what with young children and later rescue dogs, and in 2011 we had oak hardwood installed in most of the living areas (less kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway). We left the carpet in place in the entryway while figuring out what to do there.
The years flew by ...
The Felines Force The Issue
We got the cats in October 2016. My wife bought a fancy litterbox with a charcoal filter and a door. When we were out, the cats peed on the remaining carpet in the entryway. It turned out the door on the litterbox had jammed shut, so I removed it. Of course I had to remove the remaining carpet too. (No further problems with the cats!)
Progress ... And A Setback
Life goes by fast ... my wife is not the nagging sort, but really wanted something other than particleboard subfloor in the entryway.
We decided on luxury vinyl tile, and I ordered a bunch in September 2021, only to auger in on my bike just a few days later, hyperextending my thumb and ripping a tendon out of the bone. I was out of commission for several months, but finally got around to the installation a few months later. (The surgery to reattach my tendon was done by two young women who appeared to be in Jr High. I think they did a great job, and I must credit the occupational therapists who worked with me as well.)
Lots And Lots Of Prep Work
I wish I'd taken more photos, but anyway I installed a 1/2" plywood subfloor over the compressed oatmeal (which in turn had been installed over the actual plywood subfloor), which took the level close to that of the hardwood which abuts the tiled area.
I cut and beveled a piece of oak to act as a transition strip.
I made a template of paper, and used it to cut the tiles as exactly as I could. (I'm glad I had extra tiles, as I did waste a few.)
Then I dry-fitted the tiles, marked between them with felt marker, and once I was pretty sure they fit well, it was D-Day.
I rented a big heavy (80 or 100#, can't remember which) roller, applied the tile cement with a toothed spreader, and started laying the tiles, separating them with little plastic spacers. Once they were all in place, I rolled them as instructed.
I think I had to let them set for a day, and then did the grout.
I think we're at just over 3-1/2 years now, and we're very happy with them. No visible wear.
I wish there had been more patterns, and that there were different sizes available (12" x 24" is a bit chunky-looking for this small floor area), but overall am really pleased with the product.
Photos from today, while I was sweeping:
Yes, this motivates me to finally get to the remaining baseboard ...
We specified carpet throughout the house when we bought it in late '91. That turned out to be a mistake, what with young children and later rescue dogs, and in 2011 we had oak hardwood installed in most of the living areas (less kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway). We left the carpet in place in the entryway while figuring out what to do there.
The years flew by ...
The Felines Force The Issue
We got the cats in October 2016. My wife bought a fancy litterbox with a charcoal filter and a door. When we were out, the cats peed on the remaining carpet in the entryway. It turned out the door on the litterbox had jammed shut, so I removed it. Of course I had to remove the remaining carpet too. (No further problems with the cats!)
Progress ... And A Setback
Life goes by fast ... my wife is not the nagging sort, but really wanted something other than particleboard subfloor in the entryway.
We decided on luxury vinyl tile, and I ordered a bunch in September 2021, only to auger in on my bike just a few days later, hyperextending my thumb and ripping a tendon out of the bone. I was out of commission for several months, but finally got around to the installation a few months later. (The surgery to reattach my tendon was done by two young women who appeared to be in Jr High. I think they did a great job, and I must credit the occupational therapists who worked with me as well.)
Lots And Lots Of Prep Work
I wish I'd taken more photos, but anyway I installed a 1/2" plywood subfloor over the compressed oatmeal (which in turn had been installed over the actual plywood subfloor), which took the level close to that of the hardwood which abuts the tiled area.
I cut and beveled a piece of oak to act as a transition strip.
I made a template of paper, and used it to cut the tiles as exactly as I could. (I'm glad I had extra tiles, as I did waste a few.)
Then I dry-fitted the tiles, marked between them with felt marker, and once I was pretty sure they fit well, it was D-Day.
I rented a big heavy (80 or 100#, can't remember which) roller, applied the tile cement with a toothed spreader, and started laying the tiles, separating them with little plastic spacers. Once they were all in place, I rolled them as instructed.
I think I had to let them set for a day, and then did the grout.
I think we're at just over 3-1/2 years now, and we're very happy with them. No visible wear.
I wish there had been more patterns, and that there were different sizes available (12" x 24" is a bit chunky-looking for this small floor area), but overall am really pleased with the product.
Photos from today, while I was sweeping:
Yes, this motivates me to finally get to the remaining baseboard ...
