What's a good flooring option?

[CO Hummer]

As some of you know, I'm doing an addition on my house. Part of it includes a "man room" for smoking my cigars an contemplating important things. That said, I'm not sure what type of flooring to put it.

I don't want carpet because there will be massive cigar smoking sessions in the room (it will be highly ventilated with exhaust fan though). I'm not sure I want nice hardwood either because I'm likely to put some of my bikes in there for training/exercise. I don't want to walk around on hardwood in my bike shoes.

So, what the heck to should I do? My wife says she's heard of some "cork" type of flooring, but I don't know what that's all about. I want something that's functional, but doesn't look like a gym.

Whaddya think?

[DRTYFN]

Finished concrete. Make sure to put in some radiant heating tubes so it's warm for us out there.:beerchug:

[MarineHawk]

If you don't go with the concrete, you might want to go to the Carpet Exchange on 8690 Grant St. and see what they might have. I got carpet and laminated hardwood flooring there at prices cheaper than I could find anywhere else back in '02-'03.
I confess I don't fully understand what you mean about the bike/training/exercise issue. Are you simply storing the bikes in there and then riding them outside, or are you talking about stationary bikes? Forgive my ignorance.
I did the same basic thing you are talking about in our basement in our Thornton house with a pool table etc. I put half stain-proof carpet and half laminated 3/8 inch hardwood panels in there -- both from the Carpet Exchange. I also did my entire first floor with the latter.
If you're worried about damaging the flooring with your bike shoes, you might be surprised at how tough that laminated stuff is.
I also ventilated the basement during and a little after cigar-smoking by putting one fan on a window on one end of the area blowing in and another on a window on the other end blowing out. It works pretty well because you basically replace all the interior air and smoke with clean (except in L.A.) outside air probably about every 20-30 minutes. Thus, the carpet never smelled like smoke. In any event, a little smoky odor in a Man Room is probably a good thing.

[GLBLWARMR]

I just recently did something similar to what you are talking about. For the exercise area I would put down the 1/2 rubber gym floor mats. There are some places that sell the different color mats to make it not so gym looking. They are not that expensive and they will save the floors. Also they are durable enough that the bike shoes will not destroy them. I walk on mine all the time. For the rest of the area I would just go with cheap prefab hard wood flooring.

[Adam in CO]

Call Star Flooring. They have everything including a new concrete tile made to look like wood. Looks really cool and is nearly indestructible.

[KenP]

Concrete would be a great option. Especially if you tint it.

If you don't want wood, don't go with cork.

If I were in your position, I'd use tile with radiant heat.

[ssgharkness020147]

Nothing says man room like an expoxy floor. I did it in my garage (again) and I love it. I'm actually thinking about doing my bedroom floor, I'm getting sick of this carpet crap. :rolleyes:

[KenP]

Nothing says man room like an expoxy floor. I did it in my garage (again) and I love it. I'm actually thinking about doing my bedroom floor, I'm getting sick of this carpet crap. :rolleyes:That's on my summer list. What brand did you use?

[CO Hummer]

The radiant heat isn't going to happen, so concrete is out. That would be too cold w/o the radiant. I've never heard of an epoxy floor. I might have to check that out. I guess I could go with nice hardwood and get a massive rubber/protective floor mat for the area that's going to have the bikes (on trainers). The main concern is that I forget and walk on nice hardwood with bike shoes that have cleats on the bottom. :eek:

[dеiтайожни]

Go marble. I'll tell you right now, if you get cork flooring... I'm never coming over to smoke cigars again.

[ssgharkness020147]

What about Racedeck?
http://www.racedeck.com/
This stuff is supposed to be tougher then nails, and can be made to look great.

NOTE:
Notcice how that picture of "Hummerguy's" "garage" is on the first page...:OWNED: What a douchebag, then again that has been known for a long time.

[CO Hummer]

What about Racedeck?
http://www.racedeck.com/
This stuff is supposed to be tougher then nails, and can be made to look great.


That's a little to garagy for me. :)

[CO Hummer]

if you get cork flooring... I'm never coming over to smoke cigars again.

Sorry for the misunderstanding here Dei.... but I was talking about having you over to clean it, dump ashtrays, serve drinks, etc.

[dеiтайожни]

Sorry for the misunderstanding here Dei.... but I was talking about having you over to clean it, dump ashtrays, serve drinks, etc.

Just as long as I won't be smoking any cigars, fine.

[timgco]

Here's another option. I just did a quick search and found this.

http://www.kemil.us/weight_room_flooring.htm

[KenP]

I've never heard of an epoxy floor. It's concrete with an epoxy coating.

Here's one example:
http://www.garagesealers.com/

Rustoleum makes one also.

[KenP]

CO, just found this and I like it.
http://www.tactltd.com/

Shipping may be expensive.:giggling:

[ssgharkness020147]

Rustoleum. Its good stuff, just make to use the solvent based stuff instead of the water based. There is a discussion over on the other sight right now about epoxy floors.



That's on my summer list. What brand did you use?

[devilsfan]

You might also want to look into tile, maybe a travertine or slate. Slate is VERY manly.

Stacy

[ssgharkness020147]

Or you could get reclaimed tera cotta (sp?) tiles taken from old french ch?teau's. ;) :D God. I feel like my mom right now, or joey.


You might also want to look into tile, maybe a travertine or slate. Slate is VERY manly.

Stacy

[wilfred]

Have you look into laminate flooring? Looks good, easy to maintain, and inexpensive. If you are doing it youself, the cheaper ones are a little over $1/sqft. I recently had a house done for $2.50/sqft including parts & labor. They can get expensive depending on the brand, quality, and how real it looks. I have seen some that has a thin layer of real wood on top so it looks as good as it gets and you don't have to worry about the maintenance & care as opposed to real hardwood.

[devilsfan]

I have laminate, and wouldn't recommend it for this particular use. The bike shoes are one thing; but if it's a true "men's room," the laminate won't hold up well to thrown beer bottles and puke.

;)

Stacy

[bparker]

Cross scraped oak would be pimp and indestructible - but it is expensive.. but it will last forever

Slate is a good classic look as well

[CO Hummer]

Slate is VERY manly.

Stacy.......... You might be on to something here! I kind like that idea!!! :cool:

But now I'd have to wrestle with the idea of taking a woman's suggestion about my man room. That could lead to some emotional stress down the road. :D

[wpage]

My friend just did his room with brazilian cherry prefinished wood. Its 3/4 " solid wood and its really nice. Tongue and groove 4" and not too expensive. Same as prefinished oak. But nice and very hard. Ping tested harder than red oak. He loves it and he's a real pain in the ass engineer.:shhh:

[bparker]

If I may, I would'nt suggest a prefinished veneer wood floor for any high traffic area or an area that will be abused. Prefinished are veneer layered which makes them weak due to the cheap filler woods they use under the veneer to cut costs and make them affordable which will possibly put you right back into the market for a new floor in a few years.

Also, most not all but most prefinished veneers are obtained from rolling the log on a blade making a "sheet" which seperates the grains and further weakens the top veneer. If they are actually "cut" (and some brands offer this) its much better but still a thin veneer at best.

Stick with solid planks, oak is one of the best to be had but there are other exotics that are great too just a little more pricey. But stay with the "hard woods" for a longer lasting floor as something like pine will dent easlily but some like that distressed look too..

If you really want durability go with cross scraped oak. Not many offer this but inquire to custom designers and they may know about the process - its not fun - but if you hand scrape "across the grains" it takes all the soft grains out and the hard ones are higher - lightly sand (or screen) then stain. I have seen people hit those floors with a hammer and they wont dent. No, I am not talking about a sledge hammer with a running start but just standing flat footed with a good whack and they wont dent. Try that with a laminent wood :D

:beerchug:

[deserth3]

I put Austrailian Cypres in my bathroom about 9 years ago and it's done great. Looks good too. Just put a few coats of a good finish on it. I used polyurethane.

[devilsfan]

Stacy.......... You might be on to something here! I kind like that idea!!! :cool:

But now I'd have to wrestle with the idea of taking a woman's suggestion about my man room. That could lead to some emotional stress down the road. :D

You can rest assured. I'm an interior designer by trade. So you just got a professional consultation for free. :)

Stacy

[CO Hummer]

You can rest assured. I'm an interior designer by trade. So you just got a professional consultation for free. :)

Stacy

OK Stacy - what do you think about cork flooring? It's said to be extremely durable. I really like the looks of it - and it doesn't get cold like tile/slate. Can I get a second consultation here? :D

[devilsfan]

I wouldn't do cork with bike shoes. It's sealed with a layer of urethane to protect it and give it durability; if you puncture that and give moisture an opening, you can cause the cork to swell and buckle your floor.

Stacy

[ssgharkness020147]

Have you ever stood on a cork floor for an extended amount of time CO? They are niiice to stand on, the little bit of give that they have in them makes it very comfortable to stand on. As to whether or not it will stand up to your abuse is another question.

[H3 Alaska]

I used to sell this stuff, if you prep the surface right it will never come off and make the concrete stronger (no cracks etc). Again, like any coating, prep is the key to making it last forever. http://www.steelcotemfg.com/p-concrete-coating.htm

But if you want a real man room....go stainless with a floor drain in the middle so you can spray it down with a hose when the party is over. :beerchug:

[KenP]

My friend just did his room with brazilian cherry prefinished wood. Its 3/4 " solid wood and its really nice. Tongue and groove 4" and not too expensive. Same as prefinished oak. But nice and very hard. Ping tested harder than red oak. He loves it and he's a real pain in the ass engineer.:shhh:I'm installing 5" hand scraped and finished Burmese Teak. It's not perfectly flat and industrial looking on the finished side, it's wavy.

I've finished the LR and now I have just the den and breakfast area to complete.

It's not as hard as the Cherry, but it's got tons of character.:D

[CO Hummer]

I'm installing 5" hand scraped and finished Burmese Teak. It's not perfectly flat and industrial looking on the finished side, it's wavy.

I've finished the LR and now I have just the den and breakfast area to complete.

It's not as hard as the Cherry, but it's got tons of character.:D


Well......the verdict is IN.

Hickory hardwood flooring. I'm going with a 5"/4"/3" width pattern. I fell in love with it at the hardwood store. Then Ken helped me save $1000 and re-directed me to Lumber Liquidators.

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/assets/product_images/373x273/hushi2nv_373x273.jpg

[bparker]

Congrats and be sure to post pics as i am sure it will turn out nice.

Which color stain are you going with?

[CO Hummer]

Which color stain are you going with?

Just like in that pic - it's the natural color, prefinished wood. 50 year warranty on the product - including the finishing!

[KenP]

Then Ken helped me save $1000 and re-directed me to Lumber Liquidators.I'll collect the Savings Commision when we come out.:D

[SR1355]

Well......the verdict is IN.

Hickory hardwood flooring. I'm going with a 5"/4"/3" width pattern. I fell in love with it at the hardwood store. Then Ken helped me save $1000 and re-directed me to Lumber Liquidators.

http://www.lumberliquidators.com/assets/product_images/373x273/hushi2nv_373x273.jpg

Are you getting first or seconds, I've used LL many times, with seconds be sure to order extra, say additional 10%. I installed about 1200 sf of the Hickory in the 5/4/3 pattern in a house last year and it looked great. Good luck!!!

[KenP]

Are you getting first or seconds, I've used LL many times, with seconds be sure to order extra, say additional 10%. I installed about 1200 sf of the Hickory in the 5/4/3 pattern in a house last year and it looked great. Good luck!!!I've got a hundred bucks that he got firsts. I like that they discount the price if there's damage to the sides of the box in anticipation of tongue damage.

Alan, have fun matching the shoe molding.:giggling: For ours I used two coats of Minwax Provincial and one coat of Red Mahagony.