Flooring Choices

Topic: Flooring Choices (Read 1767 times) previous topic - next topic

Flooring Choices

May 24, 2013, 10:17:22 pm

I'm again considering flooring choices for the 1997 U295. Original carpet must go. We want hard surface floors, probably some kind of tile. We'll use area rugs to "soften" the floor and provide "traction spots" for the dog.

Please share experience and preferences. I am interested in both "facts" and "opinions."

I did an Armstrong from Home Depot by myself in the SOB coach, but I plan to hire a professional to do the FT. I'm favoring a Karndean vinyl or Congoleum DuraCeramic, based on recommendations from Flanagan and Savournin.

If we do tile, what about grout vs. no grout? Textured or smooth? Light, neutral, dark? Bedroom also (Flanagan recommends no)? Entry stair treads?

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #1 – May 24, 2013, 10:32:54 pm

I had the carpet and wood flooring removed and had ceramic tile installed a few years ago, it is doing fine, but feel I would be happier with the cork type from kitchen forward, this coach had ceramic entrance and front end origional setup. Not sure how to solve that part with the Cork, but I blindly trust the Nac gangs (MOT or FOT) to do the right thing.
The other advantage would be getting rid of about 400 lb of ceramic weight.
More get up & go for the buggy.
Dave M

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #2 – May 25, 2013, 12:59:07 am

I have tile, when coach flexes, tile can crack, plus it is very heavy. Not sure I would put it in again, and definately would not put anything but carpet in bedroom.

my 2 cents anyway.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #3 – May 25, 2013, 08:41:25 am

Duraceramic tile looks like ceramic tile, but is much lighter and will not crack from flexing.

You will want a grout that is flexible. Dave Flanagan should be able to direct you to a grout that will work-- I have not kept up on grouts.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #4 – May 25, 2013, 09:13:36 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – May 25, 2013, 08:41:25 am

Duraceramic tile looks like ceramic tile, but is much lighter and will not crack from flexing.

You will want a grout that is flexible. Dave Flanagan should be able to direct you to a grout that will work-- I have not kept up on grouts.

But Duraceramic can be installed butted together with no grout required. And there is a sealant available for where the tiles meet.

Here is a website that shows both grouted and un-grouted installation methods:

Dura Ceramic installation video.wmv

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #5 – May 25, 2013, 09:15:39 am

My coach was factory ordered with the ginger oak flooring stem to stern. I have no issues with excessive temps or noise.

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Reply #6 – May 25, 2013, 09:27:32 am

I can provide that service. luxury vinyl tile/planks, entry treads- Ernie

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Reply #7 – May 25, 2013, 09:34:51 am

Hi JD,
We have a member here that is a flooring guru. He's also in Texas. He does all floor types. He is well known in the Bluebird world. He has shown some work on this forum.
Raymond

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #8 – May 25, 2013, 10:43:39 am

Quote from: Raymond Jordan – May 25, 2013, 09:34:51 am

Hi JD,
We have a member here that is a flooring guru. He's also in Texas. He does all floor types. He is well known in the Bluebird world. He has shown some work on this forum.
Raymond

Ernie is the man, I have seen his work in person, and also follow his daily photo updates on the masterful work completed. Would be my first choice for having mine done.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #9 – May 25, 2013, 10:45:06 am

If you don't use someone like Flanagan or Ernie, be sure to have them use flexible grout. It uses an acrylic or polyacrylate polymer modifier rather than water. This gives it better adhesion to the edges of the tile and allow some flexibility for movement in the substrate or the coach.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #10 – May 25, 2013, 10:52:55 am

Be sure to use a smooth tile. When we bought ours it had a textured tile that we could never keep clean. we like the Pergo flooring in our living room.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #11 – May 25, 2013, 11:00:36 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – May 25, 2013, 10:52:55 am

Be sure to use a smooth tile. When we bought ours it had a textured tile that we could never keep clean.

See, now we would only consider textured tile due to the slip factor. I don't think Beighley would appreciate smooth tile; I know the Posse wouldn't.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #12 – May 25, 2013, 11:34:32 am

A recent inquiry to David Flanagan about replacing our front carpet revealed that they are doing some "wood textured" ceramic tile planks. Here are a couple of pics he sent:

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #13 – May 25, 2013, 12:19:31 pm

Quote from: Mark Benko – May 25, 2013, 11:34:32 am

A recent inquiry to David Flanagan about replacing our front carpet revealed that they are doing some "wood textured" ceramic tile planks.

I saw a remodel job "in progress" at FOT. The floor in the salon was ceramic with a whitewash rough plank pattern. Would not be my choice for my coach, but looked great in the context.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #14 – May 25, 2013, 12:29:56 pm

Sounds like the real tile in our FT by FOT. $8K by previous owner.

One thing to think about real tile. If you drop a glass object on the floor it's toast. Don't ask me how I know...

best, paul

Quote

I saw a remodel job "in progress" at FOT. The floor in the salon was ceramic with a whitewash rough plank pattern. Would not be my choice for my coach, but looked great in the context.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #15 – May 25, 2013, 12:31:17 pm

Ernie did the floor in my coach. We decided on LVT (luxury vinyl tile) for most of the coach, with carpet in the bedroom. I spent a few pleasureable days at Camp Ernie in Weatherford visiting with Ernie and Brenda, and met Lee and Judy Adams who were next in line and were also at Camp Ernie. Another highlight was meeting Dave Cobb, who came over for a day to vist but wound up helping troubleshoot some wiring in my coach.

I'd highly recommend Ernie. Great, guy, workmanship, and price.

Glen

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #16 – May 25, 2013, 12:39:08 pm

Thanks for the feedback. There are lots of possibilities and preferences. I'd be pleased to get even more responses.

If I chose a new flooring material today, it would probably be Duraceramic, but I will continue to look at the options. I'm inclined to carry hard flooring through the bedroom. Since we spend no time in the bedroom while the Cummins engine is running, I don't see much benefit to the insulating qualities of carpet. I hope to get it "right for us" in one iteration for the current coach.

I plan to contact Ernie regarding flooring. I followed his Yahoo group for a while. Most of his work appears to be wood or faux wood. All the work appears to be first class and reviews laud his work.

We will also be checking with FOT again. We want to change some window treatments and change some of the cabinet work. My understanding is that Flanagan's shop is unsurpassed for that kind of work.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #17 – May 25, 2013, 02:54:00 pm

When I talked with David Flanagan on the 9th, he showed me his back log list of work and coaches. He was booked out to August. He also had several coaches outside the shop doors that were works in progress, in addition to several coaches inside. I asked about and was shown some cork that had been recently installed. Might be a choice for the sound deadening advantage, be warm on the bare feet, and have the look of wood. Lots of cork choices.

Note that when Ernie does flooring in a coach, it looks like it might have grown in place. He does not use trim around the edges to hid anything. A master of flooring, and free camping as well.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #18 – May 25, 2013, 03:35:17 pm

And Ernie is booked up a LONG time in the future as well, so plan accordingly!

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Reply #19 – May 25, 2013, 03:52:27 pm

We have registered for a spot in the Motorcade "North to Alaska 2014" event. I'd like to get some remodeling done before then. That event will be a stretch for us in many ways. We enjoy our sticks and bricks home. The longest we've been away is about three weeks. We visited the Katsuki coach and my comment was, "This feels like home." I hope we can modify our coach to "feel like home." Changing floors will be a big step in that direction. Next will be window treatments and coverings.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #20 – May 25, 2013, 04:29:44 pm

We plan to do the kitchen and forward in cork when we can get to it (amongst other upgrades). We like the fact that it's not very slippery, is supposed to be sound-deadening, and since the area is small won't cost all that much to do.

Craig

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #21 – May 25, 2013, 05:14:44 pm

Dave, the sound insulation factor is more important in deadening the road noise up front than the engine noise in back. A hard surface can and will magnify traveling noise.

We considered cork but everything we read said that dog's toe nails would scratch it. No cork for us. So far we think Duraceram is the best compromise but the carpet is still what's on the floor. The vacuum cleaner just gets a very good workout.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #22 – May 25, 2013, 05:18:18 pm

I have an opening in July. Just think- July in Texas- come watch my electric meter smoke

thanks for all the kind words. I take on each job personally.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #23 – November 17, 2013, 10:29:16 pm

We (Ernie Ekberg, Marilyn, and I) completed (mostly) our flooring project last week. On Ernie's advice regarding our preferences, we chose Mannington Adura in Athena pattern and Maiden's Veil color. Ernie installed the vinyl tile in August. Trim for outside corners was "backordered" from Mannington. Mannington never delivered, so we chose an alternate trim and Ernie installed it last Friday. We still have a choices to make regarding throw rugs and area rugs.

We've driven a few thousand miles and lived in the coach a few weeks since the installation. We are pleased with the product and the installation. The hard floor provides less sound and temperature insulation than the OEM carpet. However, we think the tile is easier to clean thoroughly than was the carpet. We are pleased with the choice.

We use many area rugs to soften the look, feel, and sound. Rugs are a requirement for the dog to have traction on the floor. It appears that we will be able to clean up most of the dirt, dog hair, and debris with a hand vacuum. The rugs are easy to shake out, clean, or replace.

Ernie is in Weatherford, TX, and does the work at his home. He is very personable and we enjoyed working with him. I helped with demolition and moving of furniture. While he was working in earnest on installation, we "disappeared" for the day. The coach was available for occupancy overnight.

Ernie is a member of this forum and several others. You can also view his pictures of his work at Yahoo Groups. We arranged our appointments beginning at the Yahoo site.

Re: Flooring Choices

Reply #24 – November 18, 2013, 10:41:23 am

Bamboo???

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