Ideas for plywood floor?

[island14]

For our second story bedroom floor we just used 3/4 plywood, any ideas on what to do to make it look nice? :confused5:

Carpet and Linoleum are not available..

Thought about going with a toung and grove wood flooring over it, but kinda pricy right now. I might go that route later...

Wife wants to just use floor wax to give it color and a shine.

Ideas anyone? :island14:

[ASTROCREEP]

Can you do tile? I know they have that there.

[Kerrmudgeon]

You could stain it (if you want a different color) and put a polyurethane coating on it. Easy to clean and shiny. A couple of throw rugs and you're good to go.:yesnod:

[island14]

I forgot to mention that the floor while solid, is still a bit shaky, (built over large Bamboo joist)

The hard tile would crack or separate at the joints..

Vinal is one option, but I would have to travel to the city to see what is available, about a 5 hour trip.. :(

[island14]

You could stain it (if you want a different color) and put a polyurethane coating on it. Easy to clean and shiny. A couple of throw rugs and you're good to go.:yesnod:

Kind of the way I am leaning, might use the red colored floor wax to give it a mahogany like color, or stain and varnish as you say. :seasix:

A nice large floor rug would make a nice touch.. :yesnod:

[DropTheTop]

Pennies:

http://www.floorstoyourhome.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/1.jpg

You'd be looking at around $2.50 per square foot

[island14]

Pennies:

http://www.floorstoyourhome.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/1.jpg

You'd be looking at around $2.50 per square foot


:lol:

Cheaper than a lot of ceramic floor tile :yesnod:

[Kerrmudgeon]

:lol:

Cheaper than a lot of ceramic floor tile :yesnod:

...except it would turn GREEN in a short time!:rofl:

[kingpin]

Is the plywood veneered one side so you can finish it?
Otherwise you may have a hard time getting the stain to absorb.
Stain has to penetrate the substrate. If not it dries on the surface.
After you apply the clear coat or urethane it will probably peel.

Give it a light sanding to remove any lumber wax that will be on it first if you are going to finish it.

[jaxgator]

Just throw some sod up there and be done with it. :D

[Iron Chef]

Where the hell are you?

[island14]

...except it would turn GREEN in a short time!:rofl:

:lol:

Prolly

Is the plywood veneered one side so you can finish it?
Otherwise you may have a hard time getting the stain to absorb.
Stain has to penetrate the substrate. If not it dries on the surface.
After you apply the clear coat or urethane it will probably peel.

Give it a light sanding to remove any lumber wax that will be on it first if you are going to finish it.

Veneer one side yes, doubt anyone spent extra for wax, but a light sanding sounds like a good idea anyways since it was installed a month ago.

Straw? :D

Would feel nice squishing between my toes.. :lol:

Just throw some sod up there and be done with it. :D

Dood this is a fancy assed hut, what'chu talking about Willias :toetap:

Where the hell are you?

Baigad

http://wowbantayan.com/wowhome/uploads/images/Maps/Bantayan%20Island%20BARANGAY%20MAP%20Orange%20vs2%20500x427px.jpg


http://www.zamboanga.com/z/images/d/d5/Cebu_bantayan.png

http://www.destination360.com/maps/philippines-map.gif

[island14]

Oh chit, I just noticed the top map is owned by Paul James, just so he don't freak for hot-linking, here is his website..

wowbantayan.com

He's a it touchy about stuff sometimes.. :lol:

[kingpin]

lumber wax is used on the blades to keep friction down.
It's on there belive me.

And yes, if you've been stomping on it you've closed the grain and the pores in the wood so it won't absorb stain.
Give it a light sanding with 180 paper. Vacuum, then slightly damp mop, and then vacuum again.
Let stain dry for 24 hours or even longer as I'm gueesing it's humid there and then a couple coats of urethane or Acrylic floor finish.

[lspencer534]

It's going to be difficult to make 4' x 8' sheets of plywood look like anything other than...plywood. Even if it's maple or oak veneer, the sections are going to be very noticeable. If your framing is a little soft, the sections of plywood are probably not perfectly flush with each other either.

Even oak veneer plywood isn't very hard, so scratches and mars are going to be inevitable. Wood or engineered-wood flooring would be my suggestion.

[kingpin]

It's going to be difficult to make 4' x 8' sheets of plywood look like anything other than...plywood. Even if it's maple or oak veneer, the sections are going to be very noticeable. If your framing is a little soft, the sections of plywood are probably not perfectly flush with each other either.

Even oak veneer plywood isn't very hard, so scratches and mars are going to be inevitable. Wood or engineered-wood flooring would be my suggestion.

Finished plywoods can look really nice.
Not for everyone but when stained and cleared propery they look pretty good.

Check out this link.

https://www.google.com/search?q=plywood+floor&hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3gBSUIXlOsfl0QGXvoCgCw&ved=0CB8QsAQ&biw=959&bih=497

[DropTheTop]

^ Yeah, but you have to start with A grade plywood. I seriously doubt he used nice birch plywood if he doesn't even have access to carpet!

[island14]

lumber wax is used on the blades to keep friction down.
It's on there belive me.

And yes, if you've been stomping on it you've closed the grain and the pores in the wood so it won't absorb stain.
Give it a light sanding with 180 paper. Vacuum, then slightly damp mop, and then vacuum again.
Let stain dry for 24 hours or even longer as I'm gueesing it's humid there and then a couple coats of urethane or Acrylic floor finish.

We have been stomping on it for over a month so agree it will need a light sanding if we go that way..

But like Spence says it will still look like plywood..

I really don't have a problem with that since only myself and wife & kids will prolly see it.

But looking for a cool solution to make it nice enough that when we have company to show it..

[island14]

It's going to be difficult to make 4' x 8' sheets of plywood look like anything other than...plywood. Even if it's maple or oak veneer, the sections are going to be very noticeable. If your framing is a little soft, the sections of plywood are probably not perfectly flush with each other either.

Even oak veneer plywood isn't very hard, so scratches and mars are going to be inevitable. Wood or engineered-wood flooring would be my suggestion.

I'm thinking the toung and grove 5" wide by 10 foot boards would look really nice, but trying to find a cheapo solution for the temporary now.

[island14]

^ Yeah, but you have to start with A grade plywood. I seriously doubt he used nice birch plywood if he doesn't even have access to carpet!

It's not bad actually, for the most part really.

But no... not a nice cabinet quality finish..

Pwedi na!! :lol:

[island14]

To give you guys a better Idea, it is a simple native style rustic house, so not trying to be real fancy, but just want it to look nice without spending a lot of money.

Truth is, not many people other than ourselves will ever see it..

My son Chico is asleep.. :lol:
http://freeshopmanual.com/uploads/photos/Floor-1.JPG

http://freeshopmanual.com/uploads/photos/Floor-2.JPG

http://freeshopmanual.com/uploads/photos/Floor-3.JPG

[kingpin]

Pour paint on the floor and let the kids go nuts rolling around in it. :dance:

[Iron Chef]

Baigad

Oh well then you need to move to Cleveland. You're already used to people driving on the sidewalks and you can get any flooring you want.

[acevette2001]

floor paint, copper color?

[island14]

Oh well then you need to move to Cleveland. You're already used to people driving on the sidewalks and you can get any flooring you want.



Actually I am from Dayton Ohio, was just back there last year for a visit.

Spent New Years Eve with another forum member here.. Dan Dablay, felt like I was in Viet Nam.. Prolly 40+ Vietnamese at the party (there were only a few white guys there) :lol:

Was a great time! :seasix:

I came over here to the islands 9 years ago this week, on a "don't know when I will be back trip"

Ended up meeting girl next door, got married about a year later after 6 or 7 months of chaperoned dates, now have 4 kids, and doubt I will ever live in the good ole USA again.

Let me know when you are ready to set up the Barn Raising in the islands meet!


:cert:

[island14]

floor paint, copper color?

I have thought about just paint.. :seasix:

Just searching for other cheap ideas still.

I will probably do the finished wood toung and grove flooring in time, but for now would rather spend the money in other places.

[DropTheTop]

Pics of girl next door . . .

[island14]

Wait you and your wife sleep in the same room as your kiddos? :willy:

That is wife there, along with our two year old Amber that is hidden behind the foot board of the bed, you can barely see her head.... :lol:

Before the night is over Chico will climb into bed also, and I will have to move him back since there is no room..

Our oldest Aaliyah age 7 sleeps downstairs with the maid and baby Steve.

http://freeshopmanual.com/uploads/photos/Floor-3.JPG

[DAB]

cork tiles?

soft, durable.

not sure on your budget or if you can get them.

[island14]

cork tiles?

soft, durable.

not sure on your budget or if you can get them.

I was actually hoping you would join in here Doug.. :seasix:

Not sure what you mean?

I'm open to all ideas.. :cert:

[DAB]

Lisbon Cork - Sunset Cork Tile:Lumber Liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/c/Sunset-Cork-Tile-Lisbon-Cork-CKML/10008503?productId=1588&nsa=1)

it has a small bounce to it, easy to replace damaged tiles, you can wax it.

searched on 'cork floor tiles'

looks like lots of colors and shapes available.

[Bucwheat]

Maybe an Oak or birch plywood,real durable and pretty when stained.

[slant]

laminate ? it's gotta be cheap out there , made in china

[island14]

Lisbon Cork - Sunset Cork Tile:Lumber Liquidators (http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/c/Sunset-Cork-Tile-Lisbon-Cork-CKML/10008503?productId=1588&nsa=1)

it has a small bounce to it, easy to replace damaged tiles, you can wax it.

searched on 'cork floor tiles'

looks like lots of colors and shapes available.

I have seen that before, but always thought of it as something to cover a wall, and you could use thumbtacks to hang stuff.

I have not thought of it as flooring before, but can imagine it would be comfortable, if it can stand the wear.

Looks cheap so I will see if it is available here, nice Idea! :cert:

[slant]

decent cork ain't cheap

[DAB]

The Durability of cork flooring (http://icorkfloor.com/The_Durability_of_cork_flooring_cork_floor.html)


The durability of cork flooring is something that you will never need to worry about. One of the unique characteristics of cork flooring is that it has a “memory” and recovers well from compression, very much like a wine cork.

Cork flooring has been popular for use in public buildings such as court houses, churches, banks, libraries and kindergartens. The softness and compressibility, or give, of cork reduces the jarring action in the body that occurs while walking on regular hard flooring surfaces.

The durability of cork flooring is attributed to the peculiar cellular structure of the cork. The octagonal cells are thickly packed in a honeycomb fashion. This structure allows it to absorb impacts and regain its original shape after compression. High heeled shoes and slender furniture legs can lead to denting in cork flooring. In these cases, cork flooring will regain its shape. This feature of cork is referred to as 'memory'.

There are other secrets to encourage cork to recover from dents. Simply take a towel and dampen it with hot water (microwaving the towel in a plastic bag is a good alternative to boiling a kettle of water). Place the super-heated (yet mild/moderately damp) towel over the indentation. Allow the towel to sit in place for 1-5 minutes (the deeper the indent the longer the treatment). The indent will have recovered a significant amount of its memory by the end of the treatment.

To add to the natural durability of cork, Forna Cork Flooring products are factory finished with three layers of water-based polyurethane (PU) varnish imported from Germany. Our water-based polyurethane provides a clear satin finish. It is fast drying, odour free, and does not contain any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

[tshirts and jeans]

this is an easy fix.......brown paper sacks torn up ...soaked in glue....lay on floor in any shape you want....over lap of course......let dry...stain....poly finish for shine .....looks great....... i have actually seen this in a very nice home and it really looks expensive... let me know what you think....and good luck

just google brown paper sack floors.......

[tshirts and jeans]

The Ultimate Brown Paper Flooring Guide (http://lovelycraftyhome.com/2011/11/09/the-ultimate-brown-paper-flooring-guide/)

[jaxgator]

this is an easy fix.......brown paper sacks torn up ...soaked in glue....lay on floor in any shape you want....over lap of course......let dry...stain....poly finish for shine .....looks great....... i have actually seen this in a very nice home and it really looks expensive... let me know what you think....and good luck

just google brown paper sack floors.......

I never would have guessed.

http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Finished-Stairs.jpg

Here's a tutorial Tim. Looks very easy and quite inexpensive. Guest Project -- Brown Paper Flooring Technique!! (http://tatertotsandjello.com/2011/03/guest-project-brown-paper-flooring.html)

[jaxgator]

The Ultimate Brown Paper Flooring Guide (http://lovelycraftyhome.com/2011/11/09/the-ultimate-brown-paper-flooring-guide/)

I just clicked on your link and see that she's redone that stairwell. :funny: Either that or just recovered it with a darker polyurethane.

[tshirts and jeans]

like i said ...i have seen a house with it .....not just pics......it really looks good......i was shocked when they told me what it was......the cost to them was the price of glue, stain and the polyurethane ...as they got the sacks from grocery store...

[mrvette]

like i said ...i have seen a house with it .....not just pics......it really looks good......i was shocked when they told me what it was......the cost to them was the price of glue, stain and the polyurethane ...as they got the sacks from grocery store...

THAT sounds like something wife Linda would dream up.....creative critter that she is....:dance::seasix:

probably take 5 coats of urethane to make a durable finish though.....

I was going to do a Bamboo floor in my house here, but the concrete is SO out of flatness, I would be floating flooring forever, for a fortune I could not fork out.....

so carpet it is.....


:rofl:

[island14]

Thanks for the great ideas guys!

I will check out the links more in the morning. :cert:

[Rotorhead]

My wife, who is from PI, said that when they were kids they had plywood floors. They took coconut oil, smeared it around, and then strapped coconuts to their feet and walked around sliding their feet. She said it looked like glass after a few hours and would last months.

[Iron Chef]

I came over here to the islands 9 years ago this week, on a "don't know when I will be back trip"

Ended up meeting girl next door, got married about a year later after 6 or 7 months of chaperoned dates, now have 4 kids, and doubt I will ever live in the good ole USA again.

Let me know when you are ready to set up the Barn Raising in the islands meet!


:cert:

OK...so that explains the Viet Cong sandals in the men's shoe thread.

[lspencer534]

I never would have guessed.

http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Finished-Stairs.jpg

Here's a tutorial Tim. Looks very easy and quite inexpensive. Guest Project -- Brown Paper Flooring Technique!! (http://tatertotsandjello.com/2011/03/guest-project-brown-paper-flooring.html)

I think it fits right in with cinder block walls and busted door jambs....

[jaxgator]

I think it fits right in with cinder block walls and busted door jambs....

They've cleaned it up quite nicely. Here's what it looks like now...

http://lovelycraftyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Walnut-Paper-Stairs-1-768x1024.jpg

[island14]

this is an easy fix.......brown paper sacks torn up ...soaked in glue....lay on floor in any shape you want....over lap of course......let dry...stain....poly finish for shine .....looks great....... i have actually seen this in a very nice home and it really looks expensive... let me know what you think....and good luck

just google brown paper sack floors.......

This really looks nice to be honest.. :yesnod:

After giving it more thought the problem is everyone does plastic here, so have no clue where I would find the brown paper bags.

Definitely a thought for later projects if I can fine some.. :seasix:


http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Finished-Stairs.jpg

[island14]

I never would have guessed.

http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Finished-Stairs.jpg

Here's a tutorial Tim. Looks very easy and quite inexpensive. Guest Project -- Brown Paper Flooring Technique!! (http://tatertotsandjello.com/2011/03/guest-project-brown-paper-flooring.html)

Thanks for posting that link David! :seasix:


:cert:

[island14]

My wife, who is from PI, said that when they were kids they had plywood floors. They took coconut oil, smeared it around, and then strapped coconuts to their feet and walked around sliding their feet. She said it looked like glass after a few hours and would last months.

My wife's plan also.. :yesnod:

Her mom has done it that way for years at their house, and I have to agree it does not look bad, but still looks like "just plywood"

And since no one will be seeing our upstairs bedroom but us only, it does look ok that way in a simple kind of way.

They make floor wax for the stained concrete floors, and have a red oxide color wax, I bought some to test it on some scrap just to see how it looks.

Definitely affordable. :seasix:

[island14]

OK...so that explains the Viet Cong sandals in the men's shoe thread.

Hey now, those things are made from genuine rubber!

Notice how none of the ballers in that thread even bothered to comment on them? :lol:

[island14]

No more "quality time" or kids for you! :D

You got kids right?...

They sure do spoil happy endings sometimes... :lol:


But how do you kick a 2 and 4 year old out just yet?

They win, I don't even wanna fight with em, I'll kick em to their own room when they get a little older I guess....

[island14]

I think it fits right in with cinder block walls and busted door jambs....

Cinder block? dood my hose is all bamboo, no blocks here! :toetap:


You are thinking about the underground room where we lock the Barbie dolls up along with the occasional hitch hikers.. :lol:

[Iron Chef]

like i said ...i have seen a house with it .....not just pics......it really looks good......

...in a Wal-Mart sort of way. :lolsmile:

[lspencer534]

Cinder block? dood my hose is all bamboo, no blocks here! :toetap:


You are thinking about the underground room where we lock the Barbie dolls up along with the occasional hitch hikers.. :lol:

I stand corrected, sir--I did not know it's all bamboo! :hurray: Here's my bottom line objective: To cover up the seams and make it look like a smooth floor. In other words, to just hide the fact that the floor is 4 x 8 sheets of plywood. Stains and paints aren't gonna do that. But if the seams don't bother you, then it's none of my business.

And I would NEVER let my Barbies sleep in the same room with hitch hikers....

[island14]

Here's my bottom line objective: To cover up the seams and make it look like a smooth floor. In other words, to just hide the fact that the floor is 4 x 8 sheets of plywood. Stains and paints aren't gonna do that. But if the seams don't bother you, then it's none of my business.


My point exactly.. :yesnod:

I have some plywood walls in one other bedroom we are doing for my daughter, since drywall is not available here we used auto body filler to fill in and smooth the gaps so it is not noticeable.

Paint is still a temporary option, and the seams could be filled and covered, but I personally don't like the look of it.

I do like DAB's cork idea and plan to look into it more as I think I have seen them for wall purposes in the city.

But in the long run the finished toung and grove flooring would look the best I think. it comes in 5 inch wide, by ten foot long boards, but pretty expensive at about $9 each.

At this time I am more concerned with getting the downstairs finished, and the flooring will be ceramic tile. this room can wait for now really, but hoping to find a cheap solution for the time being.


Carpet would be way to easy if only it was available here..

[jaxgator]

Thanks for posting that link David! :seasix:


:cert:

Glad I could help Tim. :cert:

[lspencer534]

My point exactly.. :yesnod:

I have some plywood walls in one other bedroom we are doing for my daughter, since drywall is not available here we used auto body filler to fill in and smooth the gaps so it is not noticeable.

Paint is still a temporary option, and the seams could be filled and covered, but I personally don't like the look of it.

I do like DAB's cork idea and plan to look into it more as I think I have seen them for wall purposes in the city.

But in the long run the finished toung and grove flooring would look the best I think. it comes in 5 inch wide, by ten foot long boards, but pretty expensive at about $9 each.

At this time I am more concerned with getting the downstairs finished, and the flooring will be ceramic tile. this room can wait for now really, but hoping to find a cheap solution for the time being.


Carpet would be way to easy if only it was available here..

If auto body filler is not hiding the gaps in your wall, it is being applied poorly. I'm assuming you're using something like Bondo, which is very smooth and very strong. Whoever applied it is just not doing a good job.

However strong Bondo is, though, it is not strong enough to go on a floor, particularly a floor with some flex in it. I'd just leave the floor alone for now until I got ready to cover it with cork or tongue and groove. They will adhere a lot better to unfinished plywood than to paint.