Flooring & Entrance Finishing ? on Standys

[S. Heisley]

Hi, all:

A while back, I was able to pick up some discontinued pattern vinyl floor tiles that I like. I got enough to cover the walk area with a few left over for any possible repairs. Now, I’m having second thoughts about using them. Also, if I do use them, I’m wondering about the best way to finish things off at the trailer entrance. I can’t think of any better place to ask my questions than here, on the forum where all my knowledgeable forum buddies are. Below is a picture plus some background information, followed by questions.



The Flooring:
I have laid both wooden parquet tiles and sheet vinyl flooring and they turned out “okayâ€

[doug hodder]

Sharon...from what I've seen, most trailers are floored early on so that it runs under the cabinetry and is much easier to do in sheet goods, and all the edges are captured. Doesn't matter now for you however. Are those tiles you have peel and stick?, or do you need to apply an adhesive? I'd trowel on an adhesive. Others may disagree.

I'd think the only issue would be with the joints lifting with any floor flex. I welded in a brace under the floor right where I step in to prevent any movement. Even with my Marmoleum sheet stuff...I use a small throw rug at the door entrance to cut down on water and crud coming in. Just make sure you get a good seal on the exterior door/threshold. My 2 cents. Doug

[MikeW]

I have seen sticky back floor tiles used in Winnebago motor homes and in fact have replaced a few that popped loose from floor flexing.

With the floor properly prepped they should work fine for your trailer.

[S. Heisley]

Thanks, Doug and Mike.

I decided to put flooring only in the walk areas because I felt it would save weight and also I thought it would be unnecessary in the storage areas. I never thought about the cupboards holding down the flooring. Yes, I have some flexing in one area and am slightly concerned about that but it's not in the main walking area. If I have problems with flex at this point, I'm probably better off with the tile because I won't have to replace the whole floor.

Yes, the tiles are peel and stick, adhesive backed. Perhaps I could use some additional glue? I think I'll try to call the company and see what they say. Maybe they will have some good advice.

The other thing that I could do is to not put any flooring down and simply varnish the floor with a few coats of Spar Urethane. …Any thoughts on this?

[Steve_Cox]

Sharon,

A wood floor coated with poly could look nice.

Regarding the peal and stick tiles. I would put a very thin coat of cemento de contacto on the floor, let it skin over first before sticking the tiles down.

One thing about shopping at the big orange box store, you can learn Spanish while you shop.

[Miriam C.]

One way to make sure your "peal and stick" sticks better and comes up when you want it is to put latex paint down first....

You can get a metal threshhold that is in a 90* angle.. Just make the tile go all the way to the door and it wouldn't hurt to put a thin layer of cauk, latex removable, around the edges...

You can use small gage quarter round for to trim the edges and keep it down..

http://mobilehomepartsstore.com/Merchan ... ode=610162

[S. Heisley]

Thanks, Miriam and Steve. I now know what I'm going to do with the floor.

Finding/deciding solutions in my sleep is common for me. I woke up this morning and remembered seeing this done by the owner of the local California Decor, an interior decoration store: A Brown Paper Bag Floor! That "flooring" has been down for 5 or 6 years now; has probably been walked on thousands of times; had furniture moved on it multiple times, and still looks good. You can see how that is done here or wait and you'll be able to follow it in the MyAway build thread:

http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/ ... loor.shtml

[bobhenry]

Go ahead and install it as instructed. If , down the road you develope problems or just change your mind a good carpet remnent is a wonderful thing in a trailer also. Nice warm floors and extra insulation. Just leave a few tiles at the door as a mud catcher.

I vacuum the carpet in the barn just prior to each gathering and that is all the care it requires.

[Miriam C.]

Thanks, Miriam and Steve. I now know what I'm going to do with the floor.

Finding/deciding solutions in my sleep is common for me. I woke up this morning and remembered seeing this done by the owner of the local California Decor, an interior decoration store: A Brown Paper Bag Floor! That "flooring" has been down for 5 or 6 years now; has probably been walked on thousands of times; had furniture moved on it multiple times, and still looks good. You can see how that is done here or wait and you'll be able to follow it in the MyAway build thread:

http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/ ... loor.shtml

If you don't mind spending a bit more you can use epoxy over the brown paper bag!

[GPW]

BH, In our Kustom Van days , we used to put down a 4" foam padding on the floor ,then staple carpet around the edges to wood strips screwed to the floor ... Wore great ,and was very Comfy'... Remnants were usually enough for the floor plus the ceiling trim panels ... On some more utilitarian conversions that was done with a thin plywood base , and made to be removable (sections), exposing the steel floor for hauling ... You really didn't need a bed, just some pillows and a blanket ... Cheap, and easy ...light too vs wooden framework and all ..

Mud Everybody had to take their shoes off...

[S. Heisley]

GPW wrote:

Mud Everybody had to take their shoes off...

In the area of where I am, the clay mud is so awful that some places make cabin renters wash their own floors before they leave!

[GPW]

Sharon , when we stay up in Mississippi , that red clay mud gets EVERYWHERE!!! Tried as we could , still got in ... and it stains too ... grrrrrrr!!!! Light carpet is out , unless it's Rust colored ...

[S. Heisley]

Mud can be nasty stuff!

[GPW]

We learned , the hard way , to just let it dry and then vacuum it up ..... Trying to remove the wet stuff just smeared it around ...

Maybe we need a thread on proper door mats ... everybody's got mud , right ?

[bobhenry]

Slip on hard soled mocassins are my shoe of preference when camping. Easy on , easy off , so you can leave the mud outside