Economical, yet nice looking flooring?

Question

Here's the deal. I have about 900 Sq. ft. of floor space that needs to be updated. Currently some of it has cheap linolium, some has worn berber carpet, and part of the space is nice slate that I may consider just leaving and refinishing. But I want to know what is the cheapest flooring I can put in place of all of the old stuff.

It's a small condo, I don't want to sink a lot of $ into it because I'll never get it back out, I'm only going to live her a couple of years.

Please, please, please people, don't say things like "Well, you shold put quality ahead of low price." I know that. But I know nothing about floors and I just want to know what is a relatively low cost option that won't look like dingy, cheap apartment flooring.


Anyone knowing about costs or ways to figure costs; I also appreciate your input.

Answer 1

I would go with either ceramic tile or wood flooring.
If you check out lowes or home depot you can pick up 12x12 ceramic tile for around $0.88/ square foot. Add 10% for waste and you are looking at $871 for tile plus about another $100 for grout, morter, and tools.

Another option is to go with a wood flooring from lumber liquidators, you can pick up some species for $1.99/ square foot. That will put you in the $2000 range however.

I wouldn't go with laminate, it looks ok but it isn't going to add any value and isn't much cheaper than bamboo or soft pine floors.

Answer 2

Carpeting will be your most econmical option for flooring. Keep your slate if possible, it's such a beautiful stone. Try to pull out some of the more neutral colors in the slate. The neutral light to medium colors show and sell well in a smaller space.
In your kitchen area put down a wood or tile look laminate flooring over the exisitng linoleum.
It's big bucks or a lot of labor when you get into the hard surface flooring. Hardwood would be a beautiful flooring option but it's costly investment into the property. Check out how your neighbors have upgraded their flooring. It will give you some idea what your potential buyers market will be expecting.

You didn't mention which areas of the condo were which but I'll assume that the slate is in your foyer. The linoleum is in you kitchen. (approx 100?) The carpeting is in the rest of the areas bedroom, living room dining room closets ect.(approx 780 sq ft?) and the bath is also vinyl or linoleum (20 sq. ft?).

100 sq. ft. laminate, with 1/4 rd, foam, and transitions
Wood look =$400 do it yourself with a friend.
Tile look =$550
Installation $300 (not included in 2100 est.)
Have carpet installed with pad and rip up.
$1600
Trowel out latex leveler in bath and Install individual vinyl tiles in the bath with an adhesive.
$150
Total cost $2100/900 sq. ft = average cost $2.33/ sq. ft.

Laminate $5000 completely installed or $3000 with a lot of labor
Plus area rugs
Hardwood = $8000 completely installed or $4500 and a ton of labor. Plus area rugs
Not having the benefit of seeing job site conditions and measurements, product selections, ect. these numbers are very rough. I hope they help you.

Good luck with your project.

Answer 3

cheap floor coverings abound, selfstick tiles come in many varieties, and qualities. It kind of depends on the look you want.

if you have the skills, and have or can borrow a cut-off saw, there is a very low priced nice looking way to go. you will want to put down some plastic sheeting to catch the sawdust. then buy a few cheap 2x4s. slice them up in about a eighth or maybe a quarter inch thick pieces with the chop saw. whichever thickness you choose, make them all the same. SAVE THE SAWDUST. using regular mastic for tile, lay the pieces out on the floor, as if they are tiles. (if you want, you can use a stain on them before this step, depending on what you want) when you have them down on the floor with a small equal gap around each one, you mix the sawdust with varnish or varnish-stain. a little at a time, use this like tile grout. when finished, let it dry good, then you might want sand it with a floor sander and coat it with varnish again, you may not want to. it makes a very attractive, long lasting floor covering for little cash, though it is a lot of work. You can even stain the blocks differently and do patterns with them. how intricate you get depends on you. The costs involved will most likely be less than a hundred bucks, less if you can go to construction sites and get cast off wood. you can also save by buying warped 2x4s from home depot or such. they some times will give them away, but cutting them up like that the warpage doesnt matter.

Answer 4

I am going through the same thing right now. I found a great site online for wood flooring from Bamboo to laminate and everything in between, they have some great low cost (starting at .84 cents per sqft.) options but do require shipping costs unless you live close to one of their outlets. Go to simplefloors.com. They also send free samples! I personally think bamboo is a stylish choice especially when you mentioned slate. You can get it fairly cheap and this website offers easy to install products. I am also trying to remodel a townhome that I will only be in for a couple years so I am being very careful with my budget. The best update I think you can do in any home is floors and walls, add some nice clean paint, nothing trendy, and nice clean floors, even if it's clean carpet it's going to look alot better than mismatched dirty floors. I am personally putting in the same floor throughout the space to make is look larger and really flow from room to room. Good luck!!

Answer 5

My question to you is: what is under the carpet and the linoleum? IF it is concrete (high-rise-type condo) you are kinda stuck with carpet, ceramic/slate/porcelain tile, or laminate. Hardwood needs to be nailed down unless you can afford a hybrid. A hybrid is laid like a laminate (floating and not nailed) but has the finish of a true hardwood. You will need the felt-type noise-suppressing underlay for noise control (check your condo rules) if you lay a floater or a laminate floor. Check around with your local suppliers and see what they have to fit your budget. I disagree with you though, you WILL get the money back for this kind of improvement.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

Well, there are lots of factors to consider, you did not giove a lot of info but I have a 2004 S80 T6 Volvo that I bought my wife new. Depending upon how tall you are, you may find the Volvo S60 a great car, easy on fuel and very easy on the eyes. It is a scaled down S80 and has a good track record for reliability. Look at a 2004 to save money and depreciation, miles will not be bad and still may have warranty. Ours is a great road car, 22 mpg town, up to 30 mpg road, but the S60 should do as good or better.

Answer 7

ask around your neighborhood you might be surprised who is looking for a little extra cash...hardwoods is the most durable