out with laminate
#1
03-20-15, 07:03 AM
out with laminate
I am strongly considering tearing up the laminate wood on my landing and carpet on my stairs, to replace it all with hardwood (Oak). The stairs look easy enough to do but I do have once concern. I live in a split level home and the landing is at the front entry. I have noticed that there is a black spot in front of the door, in the laminate flooring. This is one of the reasons I want to tear it up.
The house is about 12 years old but my wife and I just got it 4 years ago. That black spot has always been there, but I do believe its getting worse little by little. The landing doesn't have any odd corners or anything, everything is 90 degree angles so I am not worried about that.
What I am wanting to know is, if I were top replace with hardwood (who knows maybe I will go back to laminate even) is there anything I can do to protect the wood from suffering this type of damage again? One last thing, if I go hardwood, since this is the main entry, is there anything I can do to protect the finish? We get A LOT of sand and small stones. I would hate to see the finish get destroyed.
Thanks much for the help.
The house is about 12 years old but my wife and I just got it 4 years ago. That black spot has always been there, but I do believe its getting worse little by little. The landing doesn't have any odd corners or anything, everything is 90 degree angles so I am not worried about that.
What I am wanting to know is, if I were top replace with hardwood (who knows maybe I will go back to laminate even) is there anything I can do to protect the wood from suffering this type of damage again? One last thing, if I go hardwood, since this is the main entry, is there anything I can do to protect the finish? We get A LOT of sand and small stones. I would hate to see the finish get destroyed.
Thanks much for the help.
#2
03-20-15, 07:17 AM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
What made the black spot? Without knowing that, hard to address whether it will come back.
I would tend to look for an engineered flooring with an aluminum oxide finish but yes, grinding sand into it will be a problem. Personally, I like ceramic for entryways but that's just me.
I love how you used the oxymoron 'laminate wood' in your question, by the way
What made the black spot? Without knowing that, hard to address whether it will come back.
I would tend to look for an engineered flooring with an aluminum oxide finish but yes, grinding sand into it will be a problem. Personally, I like ceramic for entryways but that's just me.
I love how you used the oxymoron 'laminate wood' in your question, by the way
#3
03-20-15, 07:28 AM
I should have specified and I was going to but I got carried away with my typing. So there are a couple things that could be the culprit of that spot. Its right under the door threshold so it could be water that has found its way into the flooring. Secondly, it could be animal urine. Im making my home sound like a dump, but its actually a beautiful model home whos last homeowners were horrible. They let the pets rule the place, and they didn't take to good of care of it either.
So yeah, Im guessing either water and/or animal urine. I have to replace the door their also because we were told the rust on the bottom of the door could be the result of the animals peeing there.
So yeah, Im guessing either water and/or animal urine. I have to replace the door their also because we were told the rust on the bottom of the door could be the result of the animals peeing there.
#4
03-20-15, 07:33 AM
Group Moderator
Yeah, if the spot is due to animals which are no longer present, you should be fine.
Do you keep rugs in the area to trap the sand and water? If not, I would consider that.
Do you keep rugs in the area to trap the sand and water? If not, I would consider that.
#5
03-20-15, 07:44 AM
Yes I do. I have 2 rugs and we just got 2 trays to put shoes on. We still end up with some sand on the floor regardless. Maybe this is due to the teenage that resides inside our home. Throwing his boots of anywhere on the landing likely isn't going to help. lol
I have actually considered ceramic there for its durability and being easy to clean. maybe that's a thought I will need to revisit and consider. If the right tile is placed there, it could still look very good with Oak.
I have actually considered ceramic there for its durability and being easy to clean. maybe that's a thought I will need to revisit and consider. If the right tile is placed there, it could still look very good with Oak.
#6
03-20-15, 09:34 AM
If the black is next to the door I'd suspect water infiltration - check the threshold closely. Pics might help us better assess the cause of the damage - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...your-post.html
IMO tile is a good choice for a foyer, especially if it's expected to get wet.
IMO tile is a good choice for a foyer, especially if it's expected to get wet.
#7
03-20-15, 11:07 AM
I will be sure to take some pictures when I get home tonight. I'm guessing it's from water too, especially since, and I could be wrong, it seems to be getting a little worse.
I will start looking for tile and see if I can find something I like. I am starting to think, that may be the way to go now.
I will start looking for tile and see if I can find something I like. I am starting to think, that may be the way to go now.
#8
03-20-15, 05:23 PM
Member
If the threshold is even or close to it with the deck, stoop, deck on the outside and there's no roof over it that's likely where the waters coming from.
Remove that door and check to see if it even got flashed under the threshold.
Best way is to install a real sill pan.
Remove that door and check to see if it even got flashed under the threshold.
Best way is to install a real sill pan.
#9
03-21-15, 05:24 AM
Member
For tile, you are also going to want to make sure you have sufficient clearance for the door to operate. If you have to beef up the floor system, add cement board and then the tile, may be tight as far as clearances go. The laminate is only 1/4" to 3/8" thick which will approximate the 1/2" to 5/8" thick needed needed to add backer board and tile. But if you have to add additional plywood, it may be too thick.
