Looking at putting a new flooring down in an old building.
The current floor covering is a glued down commercial carpet. Under that is asbestos tile. They would like to pull the carpet and put a new covering over the tile.
The tile is glued to a concrete slab. The slab is not perfectly flat – variances of about a 1/4″ along the length of a 78″ level.
They don’t want carpet, would like something more of a solid surface. My first thought was ceramic tile, but they said they would like something with a little more give. The room is often used as a play room for a preschool.
Thought about a floating laminate floor, but don’t know how that would deal with the temp extremes. In MN and they don’t heat that end of the building much when no kids around. Also no A/C in there in the summer – gets pretty hot.
Oh yeah, the room is about 30×50
Any thoughts?
Replies
There is a new lenolium product out that is roughly 1/8" thick. It seems to be made out of a densely compressed foam material. The cool thing about it is that it doesn't get glued down. It floats. It cuts like lenolium but doesn't get glued down. Just trim out the room with a shoe mold and your done.
Being foam it is a little softer on little knees and I would imagine a little warmer too. unfortunately I can't remember the name of the stuff.
Dave
Well, I post a question and then end up leaving town for 4 days, not such a good idea.
Thanks, I thought of something like that, but, not sure about the seams since it will be such a large area.
I'm thinking Congoleum.
Get yourself some plenty insurance for this Some asbestos tiles will break free with the carpet when it coms up.
Asbestos + children = lawsuit
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Asbestos is really scarey. Federal law might put the burden on you to have asbestos testing done before you tear into that since you KNOW it's asbestos tile under there. I had it done before a planned demolition because of the age of the house it was suspected that it could have it. There it was, in the tape on the heating ducts, but not in the kitchen flooring where I thought it might be. $1200. for the testing the whole house by certified asbestos inspector/remediator; then follow his written recommendations and you're covered. Well, plus the insurance.If in doubt, pay a lawyer before you tear into it. Oh, and ask him how much E&O insurance he carries (not that you'd ever recover anything from a lawyer, but your insurance company might. Might.)
Thanks for the advice,
Shoe
Congoleum, is that the 12x12 vinyl composite tiles that glue down? I also thought of something like that, but not sure how to deal with the glue from the carpet.
Good point about the lawsuit. Would like to just pass, but, things have been a little slow for me lately. Still not sure it is worth doing.
Thanks,
Shoe
No - it is a flexable vinyl sheet with pliable soft backing that lays in place and looks like regular sheet vinyl I think in 12' rolls, but more comfortable underfoot.
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Maybe its a good time to recommend a radiant floor. Carpet goes-pour it over the tile. Warm floor = happy kids. You didn't say cost was an issue. Warm board might work to.
Nice idea, don't think they'll go for it, but, I sure like that idea.
Thanks,
Shoe
How about cork?