This is what I did all day.

[becala]

Ta-da! It'll look better once I install the trim, thus covering strip of black/purple paint peeking through the bottom of the new whitewash, but I'm dead tired.

Next time, though, I'll wear knee pads. Ouch.

I did this all by my lonesome, I might add. Help was offered, but really it's a one person job as you can only lay 1 plank at a time.

Total time: 6 hours
Total cost: $283

Comments

[dyskordus.livejournal.com]

Did you go hardwood or bamboo?

[becala.livejournal.com]

Actually, since it's a basement, I went vinyl. Thus that cheap-assed price tag.

[dyskordus.livejournal.com]

How even is your basement floor?

[becala.livejournal.com]

Not terribly. That room that I just did is the worst, has a few lumps and a gentle slope towards the walls. The resilient vinyl planks are actually very forgiving. You can feel the lumps a bit when you walk on it but you cannot see anything wrong with it. I thought about trying to put down some sort of special underlayment to cushion out the lumpies, but the internet told me that underlayment would actually magnify the problem. Not sure how that works, but I was happy to not spend the extra money on it. You really *do* need a moisture barrier if you've got damp floors, but my basement, especially that room, is so dry that I've been tempted to run a humidifier in that room just to keep my sinuses from freaking out.

Will get back to you in a month or two and let you know how it holds up. :) Do you have a basement you're hoping to finish out?

I'm actually liking this stuff so much that I'm thinking of using it my bathrooms and back hallway. Possibly even the kitchen. But I'll see how this room holds up to wear and tear first.

[dyskordus.livejournal.com]

From time to time I entertain the idea of turning my basement into a library/study/second living room. It actually is sloped toward a drain in the floor (which came in handy when the washing machine malfunctioned and sent a torrent of water down the basement stairs).

[becala.livejournal.com]

This stuff is massively more expensive, but is perfect for areas that are potentially moist. I have some samples and it's extremely attractive, too. I also attacked it with some stilletto heels and it didn't even show one scuff mark. Even better, there are no adhesives, so if you need to replace a damaged tile or peel it up to get to some moisture underneath, you can just take it up really easily. The vinyl planks I used can be removed one at a time as well, but you have to hit the seams with a heat gun or blowdryer to loosen the adhesive.

[nanila]

That looks good! You going to rent it out again when the trim is done?

[secretsquirrel7.livejournal.com]

Already taken!

[becala.livejournal.com]

Yep, Jason has already paid for August. yaaaaaayyy!

[secretsquirrel7.livejournal.com]

It looks awesome!

[mpeace.livejournal.com]

Nice!