The Home Ownership Thread

[lefty]

That's really ugly and more than a little stupid.

lefty

 

[LeatherBoot]

Haha

 

[Medwed]



Depending on the orientation of the furniture in the room you may have no choice to put it above the fireplace. If you do you can get a framed tv with a motorized canvas so that at least it won't look like you have a tv there.

http://framemytv.com/c110/Motorized-TV-Artwork---Television-Art-Frame-Moving-Artwork.htm

This is probably the best concept I have seen so far for hiding big screens.

 

[jbarwick]

I've always liked the mirror concept to hide a tv.

 

[Piobaire]

I had briefly thought of getting one of those mirror TVs but we've just decided to move the TV out of the main public room and create a small sitting room for TV watching.

 

[upthewazzu]

Anyone have laminate flooring in their house? We really need to rip out the six year old carpet (builder grade stuff that came with the house) as well as some vinyl in the kitchen and replace it all. It wouldn't be worth it to use real or engineering hardwood, as I'd probably never recoup the cost in this area (plus we have two dogs and it scratches easily). So far we've looked at a few different kinds but I don't think any of them have really set my world on fire. We've been looking at AC4 rated stuff, 5" to 6.5" width, in the $4+/sq ft range,

 

[jbarwick]

Has anyone insulated a crawlspace themselves? What did you use for a vapor barrier? Did you just apply insulation between the joices? Nashville is freezing over and it is too late to save money this year but plan on insulated our vented crawlspace in the spring.

 

[mike1445]

We had our crawlspace spray-foamed in the fall to replace sagging batt insulation installed by previous owner, it's open air so may be whole different animal but I felt it was worth the cost. PO had insulated without a vapor barrier, I don't think it was more than a few years old and it was worthless. Spray foam made the tile entryway tolerable in sock feet which is an impressive feat for this current Buffalo winter.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]



Anyone have laminate flooring in their house? We really need to rip out the six year old carpet (builder grade stuff that came with the house) as well as some vinyl in the kitchen and replace it all. It wouldn't be worth it to use real or engineering hardwood, as I'd probably never recoup the cost in this area (plus we have two dogs and it scratches easily). So far we've looked at a few different kinds but I don't think any of them have really set my world on fire. We've been looking at AC4 rated stuff, 5" to 6.5" width, in the $4+/sq ft range,

Is your house informal enough that a rustic grade hardwood would look right?

 

[upthewazzu]

Is your house informal enough that a rustic grade hardwood would look right?

Hmmmmmm, maybe. I've seen that stuff used in older homes near city centers and I think it looks great, but I just don't know if I could pull it off in this neighborhood.

Here's is what we've been looking at, sorta looks different than what I've seen in a lot of homes:

 

[LeatherBoot]

Have you considered porcelain tiles that look like hardwood?

http://www.atlasconcorde.it/en/collections/axi/fondi/dark-oak/mattrettificato/

I like this stuff better than laminate...it definitely doesn't feel like wood but at least it doesn't feel like plastic.

 

[idfnl]



Have you considered porcelain tiles that look like hardwood?

http://www.atlasconcorde.it/en/collections/axi/fondi/dark-oak/mattrettificato/

I like this stuff better than laminate...it definitely doesn't feel like wood but at least it doesn't feel like plastic. 

I have a thing against materials that are made to look like other materials. If you want brick, use brick. Wood, use real wood. "At least it doesn't feel like plastic" doesn't exactly sell me on it.

 

[whiteslashasian]

My parents did laminate fake wood flooring in their living room which isn't too bad, but definitely doesn't feel like wood. It was inexpensive and easy to install though.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

I was thinking of an actual rustic floor, but yeah if it's a neighborhood of similar homes it will likely look out of place.

I have a strong dislike of laminates and 'wood' tiles.

I would be tempted to source a sturdy wood like white oak and chose a finish which will not show fine scratches. Engineered wood is fine, but make sure the top layer is heavy enough for a refinish or two.

 

[idfnl]



I would be tempted to source a sturdy wood like white oak and chose a finish which will not show fine scratches. Engineered wood is fine, but make sure the top layer is heavy enough for a refinish or two.

Engineered floors are fine if you like the dull hardened polyurethane look. I'm not spending money to walk on particle board with a thin layer of veneer on it. Pass. "Engineered" is marketing jargon. Beyond a few useful reasons to use it, it's just cheap ****.