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Flooring Design Dilemma

Has anyone used engineered stone look Tile in famiy room floor?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Researching engineered stone look tile for family room flooring. I have red OAK hardwood everywhever else on this floor. I don't want to go thru sanding to match, and real tile would be too cold in the winter. Also consider two dogs who hang in family room most and have pee incidents. Which is most realistic Looking and doesn't look like cheap laminate? Anyone have experience with ALTERNA, or other?

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Comments (3)

SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
I'm assuming you mean stone-look vinyl products or are you thinking the 'faux stone' look that people use around a fireplace?

When it comes to 'living' spaces, stone and tile look a bit odd when the rest of the house has hardwood. Remember that stone and tile (in cold climates) are reserved for bathrooms, kitchens, entranceways and mud rooms. Why? Because they can take quite a bit of water whereas wood and carpet cannot.

So remember the 'look' you are creating if you are putting 'stone' in a living space where most people would EXPECT a warm floor (like wood or carpet). It is a weird concept for many people. It's like carpet in a bathroom (the Brits are famous for this BTW and it looks REALLY WEIRD to a N. American homeowner).

If you are desperate for something 'other than wood', then there are a few other things out there for you. Stone-look and tile look are options. Then there is cork. A cork glue down floor (finished with polyurethane after installation) is water proof. A cork floating floor (click together) can be made water (and pet) resistant when finished with a polyurethane coating after installation.

If resale is not a big deal (because you KNOW you will switch out the family room flooring for hardwood when you list) then go ahead with a sheet vinyl. Yes....sheet. Sheet products (such as real linoleum and vinyl) are the only water proof products worth looking at. Anything that clicks together (like vinyl plank) will hold the urine between the planks thereby holding the smell.

If you want to go with the look of stone, brick or tile but do not WANT the real stuff, you might want to consider sheet vinyl for urine prone pups.
Alycin Yomtov thanked SJ McCarthy
chiflipper
5 years ago
Sheet vinyl is the best choice for your situation. Armstrong offers "ultra low-shine" in the look of stone.
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Alycin Yomtov thanked chiflipper
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Alycin Yomtov
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for advice. Strange that the sales person was pushing the cortec type pieces; saying it will be very pet friendly. (I would assume urine would get in those cracks too)
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