Bathroom Flooring Opinions?

[123c]

My bathroom is a hodgepodge of improvements and repairs from over the years, and I am going through now and sort of unifying everything into one style, and so that it looks complete. I am sort of going for a modern look/european look. I was thinking about just slapping some vinyl down, which would cost about $26 for a precut roll, or I could go for some slate flooring, which would cost around $100. Before I do that, I need to deceide on what to do for a vanity, I could repaint the one there, or I can get a new one from my work(Lowe's), or one from Ikea, which would cost about $200-250 from either place. The ones from Ikea would give me more of the modern/european feel, but would also mean a 150 miles trip to the nearest Ikea. Any thoughts or recomendations on this?

[TheDon]

go with everything from IKEA for that European look... (one just opened by me.. well..30 miles away)

[kerry]

Vinyl is very easy and quick to install. Use newspaper to create a pattern. Be aware that there are huge differences in quality and durability in those remnants at places like Home Depot. Pick the pieces up and compare the weight. The heavier ones are better.
You might also consider Vinyl Composite Tile. It's a little hard to install but a black/white checkerboard pattern would give a European feel. You have to special order the solid colors.

[123c]

Ikea has those snap together vinyl tiles, I think they are around $2 sq/ft. The main reason I am leaning towards the slate is, that we tiled most of the rest of the house about 12 years ago, but we didn't do that bathroom, nor the bedrooms, so I think the slate will go with the rest of the house.
But again, the vinyl will be much easier to put down, as long as I can get a level enough surface, and get down though enough layers of the old stuff.

[t walgamuth]

The slate will look higher class, IMHO.

Tom W

[123c]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The slate will look higher class, IMHO.

Tom W

Exactly, I am sort of going for the looks that my brothers bosses incorperated in their condo development, but on the cheap, i'll be using MDF for the molding, instead of real wood like they did, and won't have the slate tiled shower nor the cast iron deep soaking tub, but I will be using the same light switches and cover plates.

[Johnhef]

I'm in the middle of redoing my bathroom- the floor looked 1950's and the date stamp inside the toilet tank was 1973... so it was a little dated. We tore the floor up down to the hardwood strips and covered it with a layer of lexan and then used the Armstrong brand peel and stick floor tiles. I think they were about $1.39 per sq/ft. It looks so much nicer now, but still not done, took out the wall mounted porcelin sink and am putting in a vanity, but moving it to the other wall in the same corner where it was, but that still means relocating the pipes. Got the floor done and toilet back in finally but vanity is still not permanent yet. Been slowly staining it white to go with the rest of the paint scheme in there.
Also had to replace a wood framed window IN the shower stall. You could say it was a little rotted

[Mistress]

Originally Posted by Johnhef

I'm in the middle of redoing my bathroom- the floor looked 1950's and the date stamp inside the toilet tank was 1973... so it was a little dated. We tore the floor up down to the hardwood strips and covered it with a layer of lexan and then used the Armstrong brand peel and stick floor tiles. I think they were about $1.39 per sq/ft. It looks so much nicer now, but still not done, took out the wall mounted porcelin sink and am putting in a vanity, but moving it to the other wall in the same corner where it was, but that still means relocating the pipes. Got the floor done and toilet back in finally but vanity is still not permanent yet. Been slowly staining it white to go with the rest of the paint scheme in there.
Also had to replace a wood framed window IN the shower stall. You could say it was a little rotted

Does this mean we have to use the Out House on Sunday?

[123c]

I just installed some Swiftlock Laminate flooring, it looks like Travertine tiles, I made a few boo-boo's installing it, but overall it looks decent. It cost around $150 total for supplies. I am hoping that the boo-boo's don't come back to haunt me later on down the road.

As for the vanity, I am just keeping the one I have, and painting it Espresso Brown, and patching up the Green Formica countertop. I think the green countertop will match with things once I paint the vanity a darker color. I am frustrated with the hinges, because I want some Brushed Nickel, but can't find them that will fit right, because I want Brushed Nickel knobs as well.

I am thinking about doing some recessed lighting, but that most likely won't happen anytime soon. I do want to do a Halogen vanity light of some kind, and will do so when I can score a good deal on one, and then hook it up to a dimmer switch.

I will post up some pictures in the next few weeks when I am completed with my remodel job...

[Jason Beal]

I just redid my entire house to sell. I used travertine in the master shower and floor. It was less than 600 dollars for materials. I was so glad I went with something a little more high end. The difference in price was maybe 250 dollars, but the return was awesome.



I used ceramic in the main shower, and floor. I think it was about 300 dollars. I did all the work myself which saved big bucks of course.



For the entire house flooring I installed a wood laminate flooring. Bought online, about 1.20 summin' a sq ft. Easy easy easy. If I were staying in the home it would not be my choice, but for a resell, I'm fine with it.

[kerry]

In general, I don't particularly like laminate flooring, but I recently had to replace some carpet in a couple of basement rooms in an apartment. Decided to use laminate. Used Sam's Club Lock N Seal. Man, does that stuff install quickly and look good when its done. I'm really intrigued to know how well it stands up. Cost about $1.57 per sq ft at Sam's Club.

[Matt SD300]

Originally Posted by Jason Beal

I just redid my entire house to sell. I used travertine in the master shower and floor. It was less than 600 dollars for materials. I was so glad I went with something a little more high end. The difference in price was maybe 250 dollars, but the return was awesome.



I used ceramic in the main shower, and floor. I think it was about 300 dollars. I did all the work myself which saved big bucks of course.



For the entire house flooring I installed a wood laminate flooring. Bought online, about 1.20 summin' a sq ft. Easy easy easy. If I were staying in the home it would not be my choice, but for a resell, I'm fine with it.

Nice job on the tile............

[123c]

I hate to say this, but I think I am going to let my brother the architect have some input on this, he seems to have a little better design sense than me when it comes to some of these things. I tend to have good ideas, I just can't have them all come together in a logical, smooth manor.

Jesus man - Ikea is what it is. It's not like you'd outfit a high-end home w/ Ikea products! But why would you expect them to make products that would appeal to a family living in a $1M home?

They don't - their target market is college students and the just-graduated. For that market, they are very good.

Where they miss the mark is with your average 23 year old who expects the lifestyle of a successful 50 year old.

[Hatterasguy]

I know their target market and for that they are excellent.

But using decent fixtures and products in your house will add value. Bathrooms and kitchens add value to your house. Even builders grade fixtures IMHO are better than Ikea, and probably cheaper....

I'm not talking about Ikea furniture, which is fine, heck I have a bunch. Its cheap but looks cool and lasts a couple of years.

I go inside probably 20-30 houses a week, I can spot an Ikea kitched from the front door.