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Flooring Design Dilemma

Vinyl Flooring - trying to complement upstairs hardwood

3 years ago

Hello,

I am building a new home on Cape Cod. The first and second floors will be character grade, rift and quartered white oak in varying widths. The basement is walkout and will include a family room and bunk room. People tell me to not try and match the upstairs because it will invariably look off but I’m at a loss. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Comments (2)

SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
If you can, you can. If you can't you can't. Be OK with EITHER scenario. Give it a go. Take a SAMPLE of the wood you are going to be using and go shopping.

Bring HOME a sample of what you think might work. Sit with it in your house (I know it isn't the right house but it isn't in industrial lighting during the day...so it is much better than 'guessing').

Move it into the dark areas and then back into the light. If you have a basement, then take it down there. Leave the REAL WOOD on the stairs (ideally you will run the WOOD on the STAIRS to the basement...and then start the vinyl on the basement slab). Then lay the sample vinyl on the floor below it. Turn the lights on...and off...etc.

If you FIND a good match, you will need to know HOW LONG it has been in production. Most man-made products (like vinyl AND engineered hardwoods) have an 18 - 24 MONTH run. After that you will never find it again.

So....find out, from the manufacturer, how LONG ago they RELEASED the vinyl colour. That way you can PURCHASE IT IMMEDIATELY or you can WAIT a few months until you need it. Eitherway, always look at 10% extra. That will get you a significant square footage for the time the laundry drain backs up or the hotwater tank 'lets go'.

I like to see 100sf of extra (about 5 boxes) for 1000sf of measured floor space. Believe me, over 25 years, you will ABSOLUTELY NEED IT. I can guarantee it.
Laura Semple
Original Author
3 years ago
Great advice - thanks so much. And how did you know that I plan on another 25 years in this house! :) i also have 1000sqft to cover. Lol - do I know you?
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