Since I suspect some of you are DIYers (Skank is actually a contractor or something), I'd like to get your advice.

We have hardwoods underneath carpet, but it was painted over in the 60s. How expensive will it be to strip off the paint and refurbish the floors? Will it be worth it to do this, compared to simply ripping it out and putting in new flooring?

Newbie Homeowner,
Mah

Hey Mah,
You might consider doing an overlay (new hardwood over the existing) might be the most economical choice out of them all. Most hardwood floor guys can quote you a price per square foot. If the existing is sound even if unsightly should still serve an adequate substrate for a new hardwood floor. Another train of thought would be to pick some rooms for hardwood floor and the balance with a heavy pad and carpet. The heavy pad greatly extends the life of carpet not to mention, comfort to foot, as well as the insulation values (thermal and sound). Being that by our standards (California) it gets damned cold up there the heavy pad and carpet might be an excellent choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and family rooms. The hardwood would be better suited to formal entry’s, dinging rooms and the likes.
I have a rental in Fremont that the old tenants obviously did not feel their pets should be let out on a regular basis. End result the hardwood was absolutely ruined. I opted to overlay with underpayment, heavy pad and carpet in about ½ and wonderboard and tile in the balance.
You may wish to bounce these thoughts off of Fishgod, as he too is a contractor (up Michigan way I believe).

Good luck bud, Skank
:wink:

http://www.dbarchitect.com/www-9708/9708-2.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2002/04/08/tidbits.html

http://www.sjhousing.org/project/ig.html

http://www.bogardconstruction.com/chestnut.html

http://www.bogardconstruction.com/dominicanoaks.htm

http://www.firsthousing.org/projects_bettyann.html

http://www.nibbi.com/

Holy crap I really am a contractor!!!!!!!!! 8)

Thanks a million Skank.

Yeah I think we were only considering a return to hardwood for the livingroom on the mainfloor, which is around 300 sq ft. -- not that big. Then just get new carpets in the bedrooms.

Hmm. So overlaying a new floor directly on top of the old one may be the best thing, eh? ...

Downstairs, I think we're going to tear out the carpets, but we're not sure what we want to do. Maybe pergo? What's your opinion of pergo?

Diningroom is also a sunroom/conservatory with skylights and windows, so we were thinking a nice tile. What would you recommend?

Hey are those links to your projects? You did the Soma residences?! Cool.

Just a thought but is there any regs on the stripping of the paint in connection with it possibly being lead based?? i know some places have these others don't same with asbestos in the uk some councils let you strip to hearts content others have special rules some even make you get in peeps to do the work just a thought on the health side
'doc'Dark :twisted: :roll: :roll:

OK, here is part 2 of my request for advice and help.

Our new house has popcorn ceilings. It is almost certain that they contain asbestos, as they were installed in the 60s/70s. We have not had the ceiling tested yet, as we are not sure we want to know. How dangerous is it scrape off the popcorn ourselves? What is involved in patching up the ceiling and painting over it, after the corn has been removed?

Mahatma

Are you talking about that thick spackle? Are you sure it has asbestos? I just bought a house as well and the ceiling in the whole house has the stuff. I think it is safe.

herm do u know when your popcorn ceilings were installed? the date is usually an indication of whether or not they contain asbestos. If they do, don't go scraping it off without learning about it first!

The house built in 83

Mah just get your air test for asbestos( don't have clue who does testing) I work for hotel it was sold to Other owner which I like .Had get tested it and it was asbestos.If there no asbestos then do it yourself.It should have been tested when house was sold to SO ASK YOUR REAL STATE AGENT that sold you the house.Only why I know this My brother is realtor agent.

Skank where can Mah go or call get air check for asbestos?

Sci, I think that the popcorn ceilings have the asbestos pretty much sealed in, so they're not a worry as long we don't mess with them. However, they are so damn ugly that we want to scrape that crap off and paint over the ceiling.

We have scraped a bit off to send in for testing, however I'm not sure I want to really have it tested. Once you do so, you know what it is and have to remove it "by the book" (ie, hire professional abatement people).

Hi Mah,
A good rule of thumb. 1975 and holder consider hot (asbestos). If it is in good condition (that doesn’t mean it’s not butt ugly) one may consider encapsulating the existing product. For example, if you have 8’ ceilings just add a layer of sheetrock over it, tape, texture, and paint to what pleases you and the wife most. Sheetrock is good and cheap too. The cost of removing, disposing, and refinishing could exceed that of encapsulation. If you have a high ceiling you may prefer a richer look. Such as a wood ceiling and maybe false beams and border trim added. I prefer the latter with dead things mounted on the walls.


Caio, Skank :wink:

Back from Seattle last night. Jarg, Schwantz sent me an email saying you worked for Lowes. Too bad Home Depot is 5 minutes from my new house ... I unloaded close to $1000 there in about 7 days.

Never got to the floors, although I think they are oak. Spent all of the time painting the interior. Noticed that the popcorn ceilings had been painted over at some point -- so decided scraping them off would be a pain in the ass and just left them. Fuck.

Am still thinking of Pergo for the kitchen and conservatory/sunroom area. Costco sells some laminate, I noticed. Anyone have any opinions on their Harmonics brand?

Mahatma typed:


Too bad that I can't come out there to visit. I could save you a bundle at Lowe's. If you get normal stock items, I get you just a measly 10% discount... BUT if you special order something, I get 10% above cost. That can save a LOT of money. Sometimes as much as 50-60%.

If you are making a BIG purchase, fly me out there. I have always wanted to see Seattle. :D

I know! We'll have a big ol house warming party at Mah's new residence and he can pass out scrapers and beer!

torpityourself