flooring options for 100 yr old house?

12 years ago

I seem to be mired in floor choices these days. We need to choose a floor for our 3rd floor which will be my 13 yr old DD's space. We have original hardwoods, cork floors and ceramic tiles in the rest of the house. Furnishings are done in cottons, linens and we have seagrass area rugs. This is the feeling I'd like to bring to this space as well. Right now there are gorgeous fir floors underneath old lino tile that my DH would love to restore. Unfortunately, those old lino tiles are asbestos and even tho some say it's okay if you take them out without making much dust, I'm scared it's not going to be possible.

So, what else could we do that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg? The other problem is that there are hot water rads and I would prefer to do something that I could work around them rather than have to shut them down, drain the system, etc. We had to do this when we put in the cork floors in the kitchen and it was expensive and a huge pain.

It really just kills me that there is this gorgeous wood floor just sitting there, but what can you do. I'm not going to risk my kids health for it.

Suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

tracie.erin
12 years ago
I agree, you shouldn't risk taking up the tile. Can you lay hardwood over the tile or would the nails disturb it too much? If so, you could try a floating floor like cork, engineered hardwood, or laminate. I would probably go with the cork because you have it elsewhere in your house, and it can be refinished if ever needed while the other two cannot.
lindac
12 years ago
Go to a motel for a night and hire someone to remove it.
I have twice removed a vinyl asbestos tile floor by my self. It's not a dusty process...The black goo that sticks them to the floor keeps it from being dusty. With the smaller floor I did, I used an old iron and warmed the tile which softened the glue and slid a putty knife under and pried the tile off. Some broke, but I tried to go slowly to cut down on that and keep the tiles as whole as possible.....and of course you want to preserve the lovely floor beneath so you want to take it slow and easy.
Related Discussions
Finishing 100 yr old basement with minor hydrostatic water issues
Q
Comments (6)
nadjahogg: wondering how you make out with your basement project? We have a similar issue in our 1950 Cape that we've been trying to determine how to tackle. The basement was finished in the 80's but a couple times some of the very severe storms (with record rainfall) have produced some hydrostatic leaking through the concrete floor. We have a sump pit in one corner of the basement but in severe rain situations water will still push through cracks in the concrete floor. The last time it leaked, I gutted the finished basement and have been debating what to do to correct the issue and finish the space off again. The house is small, so losing that extra living space has made it feel even tighter. Here are a few of the things we've considered: 1. Exterior Drain Tiles (would require significant excavation work) 2. Interior French Drains 3. Additional Sump Pit 4. Rubber Interlocking Floor Tiles - Easy to remove and clean up water if it leaks down the road The contractors I've talked to seem to think that options 1-3 are simply not worth the high cost; just to get the basement to a point where it could be finished off again. Was curious what you decided on and if you had success with your project? Thanks!
...See More
done 100% DIY 44 sq bathroom in 100 yr old house
Q
Comments (19)
Thanks jruter and oylchick ! On the curtain. The rods I had they are tension rods. I just moved them to the ceiling. My ceiling is about 8.5 feet. The outer curtain is a set from ikea. Mostly decorative but if someone needed in the bathroom while someone was in the shower/bath they would provide privacy if closed. The inner is an 84 inch clear shower curtain. For me that was perfect it hits inside the 20/21 inch( cant remember which it is right now) about 6/7 inches in. Since this is a jetted tub it has an air intake that I didn't want it to cover so it wouldn't get caught if jets where on. This one is from bed bath and beyond. But I found a 96 inch online then measured an realized that covered the air intake so I didn't order it. Honestly, I googled 96 inch clear shower liner and extra long shower curtain liner to find it. The fan over the tub is also a light so I wasn't worried about light. I have hung all my curtains at the ceiling in the house and love the look. Tip most ikea curtains are 96 inches or 110 and they come with hem tape so they are a great source for full length curtains. But they didn't have a long shower liner. I will try to grab a picture later.
...See More
Another 'old Flooring' restoration question -100 yr old Maple
Q
Comments (0)
Hello Everyone, I searched the forum index in regards to the my query, but no luck, so apologises if I've overlooked anything. My husband and I salvaged a 100 yr old Maple floor and installed it in a low traffic area bedroom. It's in beautiful, near "petrified" condition and we do not wish to sand or otherwise alter it much at all. As best as we can tell, the only previous old finish that remains visible in some areas, is some type of wax (the building from which it was salvaged stood empty and unused for many years).We would like to remove the patches of old waxy substance and reapply another wax product without using any other type of sealer or finish. Is this advisable and if so what brand/type of wax would be best to use? Also what product would best clean and remove the old wax? Thanks so much for any recommendations.
...See More
paint colour for 100 yr old home
Q
Comments (6)
So funny you should say that fuzzywuzzer. My main impetus for change is that blue gray clashes with the garden in summer. I love it in the winter against the mounds of white snow, but in summer - hate it. I'll get a sample of the Tudor. I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of samples. Last time, the front of the house looked like a patchwork quilt. Cyn427 - yes, I don't like the busy-ness either. By painting out the trim, I meant paint it the same colour as the body of the house. I'd love to change the trim colour to something creamier, but that would unfortuanately escalate the cost. trailrunner and lesterd, thank you so much for the links. They provide much inspiration. Even though I'm hoping for a slightly more modern look than the lovely painted ladies, it is wonderful to see what the colours look like on a house with siding. I'm on vacation this week and think I'll spend some time driving around the city looking for inspiration. Such a huge investment, I want to get it right this time.
...See More
daisychain01
Original Author
12 years ago
I don't think I could do a floating floor over because of the radiators, but I'm going to go up now and check see how much play there is (ie how much I can lift them and fit under them without actually removing.

But now that you mention it, I may be able to lay the actual thin cork tiles right over the old tiles. It's not ideal as they say small imperfections telegraph thru the cork, but I'm not sure if that's really important since it's not a space that will get a lot of traffic and will probably have area rugs as well.

thanks tracie!
sheesh
12 years ago
Before you consider removing the tile, go to a reputable source and get facts. I don't think it is ever advisable to do it yourself. It will take10- 20-30-40 years to know if you've caused yourself harm, and many people never get sick. Not worth the risk!

I was bothered that there was carpeting over hardwood in my living room when we moved in. Pulled it up, discovered the floor could not be restored. Perhaps you can think of your floor that way, that it cannot be restored. And, also, we had beautiful hardwood installed over asbestos lino in our kitchen and dining room. It is fine to do that. Cover, do not remove asbestos flooring.
daisychain01
Original Author
12 years ago
Lindac, I am so tempted and if it was just me taking the risk, I probably would. But with my kids, it just changes the way I have to look at it. I'm pretty sure the risk is very low, but even so ...

I just went up and looked again. The old floor was laid around the rads rather than under. The tiles are in really bad shape as they were laid over buffalo board (very soft and not a great subfloor) so there are large cracks. I'm thinking about laying a thin layer of plywood over it all and then doing the cork tiles over that. I've got a really good handyman doing the basement floor right now, so I'll get his opinion.

flooring options for 100 yr old house?

Comments (5)

tracie.erin

lindac

Related Discussions

daisychain01
Original Author

sheesh

daisychain01
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

flooring options for 100 yr old house?

Comments (5)

tracie.erin

lindac

Related Discussions

daisychain01Original Author

sheesh

daisychain01Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

daisychain01
Original Author

daisychain01
Original Author