Hi Lori, I know - when we stew over something for so long we do get confused! Too close to the issue, I think. To answer you - well, it depends. I think taking the hard flooring to the stairway is not a problem if there is a door that is usually closed at the stairway. The hard flooring could be installed to meet the carpeting on the basement side of the door (so the break would not be seen from the hall side). If there is not a door to the stairway you could consider taking the hard flooring down one step to give a continuous look before the break of the step. 'Course, if you want to spend more money & have a continuous look (if the stairway is not closed off & especially if it leads to a frequently-used space such as a family room), then the hard flooring with a runner (such as indoor/outdoor - you don't want a high pile or soft, plushy carpeting on stairs) would be a good way to go. The hard flooring would then provide a link between the two levels & offer some more continuity that the existing carpeting would not. I know this answer seems wishy-washy, but the floor treatment does depend on what's around it & the function that goes on in the areas. Hope this helps. Kathleen

Just thought I'd add something to the mix! I know you don't want vinyl because it's cheap, buuuttttt, would you consider a vinyl with a wood look? We have Earthwerks vinyl with a wood look in our kitchen and dining room. I love the look of laminate and wood, but was too afraid my dog (large boxer) and sliding chairs would scratch it up over time. After three years I still LOVE this floor! Here comes my commercial... it does not scratch -at all. I've pushed my piano across it many times and nada. It's also stood up to our boxer and sliding chairs. It has a texture to it and it's easy to clean, but like wood or laminate, it does show pet hair a bit easier. Seriously people think it's laminate if they didn't know better. It is glued down directly to the subfloor. Supposedly the planks areeasily replaceable if damaged.

ecc I know you seem to be in a hurry w/sched -let the flooring people give you a quote & advise if they think they can even get the adhesive up/out of flooring then I would take the route of testing the adhesive - all you would be out is the testing cost. Then decide, If I could have all my 1st level matching hw (esp in small home) I would go that route - You can't get nicer hw today then what they used in 30's. It really should not cause a big delay You can get a test kit at the hardware store - they send it to lab for analysis http://www.safetycentral.com/profasteskit.html http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/professional-asbestos-test-kit-p-46226.html?ref=42 http://www.doityourself.com/stry/sickhomeasbestos Try not to get the "hurry up and finish" game - Good luck To me it's worth holding things up a little

Hola, Sorry, forgot to post layout: And no, we're not thinking of using our huge fireplace as a heat source. My kids have asthma, so all the tiny particles from wood burning or pellet stoves are not good for the kids. And I don't think they're that environmentally friendly. If we have the money, we would do geothermal heating. Here's our house in about 20inches of snow last year (does this help your decision, since it's nice and warm today?): plllog: "You have young children. You have a budget...Then the children can spread out their painting projects on the floor, roller skate, or whatever. Real linoleum, such as Marmoleum, is an ecologically friendly choice...you can easily replace it when you decide you want hardwood. In fact, you can do the subfloor as if you're getting hardwood... Then it's easy to mop. And you can make the change when the kids are older and you feel like spending the money--or not." These are my thoughts exactly!!! roobear: "Hardwood is better for resale, it would add value to your home, it can be refinished etc. Plus, it would fit the period and style of the house better." EXACTLY! The flip-side of my thinking as well. If I'm going to do hardwoods later, why not do them now and enjoy the benefit of the flooring, rather than pay twice? I've also thought about the heated rugs; the Japanese use them all over their house. circuspeanut: "have cold feet 6 months out of the year" Argh: sometimes it feels longer. cleo: "using engineered hardwood floors" Great idea, but because we installed some in our previous house, I really did not like them. My main concern w/ them is wear and tear, especially in between the planks. What happens if water (or raw meat juice) gets in between and swells the ?particle boards, etc? lovilynne: "have you considered DIY wood" Oh, while my house is not historical, it seems like it with the uneven floor, no insulation in the walls, etc :) We are DIY the hardwood floors for the 2nd floor right now. The learning curve was HUGE for us. And I'm not sure about my skills w/ hardwood floor over radiant heat. "they make a special heater to go under the cabinet" Oh!!! Can you please tell me more? Do you have pictures to share? Hmmm...