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gsreimers
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2022 03:05pm
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Looking for input on flooring for our 24 x 32 cabin in Northern Minnesota.
I have tried sheet vinyl glued down in a 12 x 12 bunkhouse and it now has a buckle in it.
I have tried vinyl plank in a 12 x 12 bunkhouse and 5 x 12 bathroom and have had the seams pull apart.
1 have a 3/4" thick laminate in the loft and it has been perfect but am afraid of using it on the main cabin floor as it is not good for moisture.
The cabin floor is tongue and grooved plywood (I think 3/4") and is not insulated underneath (nor will it ever be because of mice). It gets to 30 below in Northern Minnesota so I know there will be movement. I'm thinking nailed down natural or engineered wood product would move with the cabin but am looking for some ideas from people who have had success as I am 1 for 4.
Thanks
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travellerw
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2022 06:14pm
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There is a post I started not long ago on this topic..
I have decided to go with 12mm laminate. The guys at the flooring store tell me that they use PVA glue (Titebond II) on installs in moist areas (like bathrooms and kitchens). They have never had a callback.
I will be gluing all the connections in our cabin.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2022 07:40pm
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On our old build from 1983-84 I never got around (lost my tuit) to putting down flooring. We used big and small throw-rugs and runners that lived first in our house. They covered the plywood floor decking fine.
When we stripped the place out and turned it over to the new owners 2 yrs ago the decking looked great.
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travellerw
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# Posted: 5 Mar 2022 07:49pm
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One final thought.. I insulated on the inside. Layer of 3/4 OSB subfloor, then 2" of foamular 400, then layer of 5/8 OSB subfloor. All up its about R20 of insulation and I have ZERO worries about mice since its on the inside.
It made a huge difference. My kids were walking around in socks and it was -30C outside.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2022 07:56am
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I was up at my place a few weeks ago… was -10 that day. Flooring was perfect. I did 1/2 engineered hickory . Engineered hardwood is more dimensionally stable because it’s basically plywood with a veneer on top.
Floor is not fastened. It’s click-lock floating on a foam mat.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2022 10:41am
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No insulation just because of mice? 12x15 is roughly 6 sheets of foam board. You can put that under your flooring and ontop of your subfloor. No air means no mice.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2022 10:49am
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I have laminate snap together stuff on the foam pad, never an issue, no glue, all floating. I get below zero temps in winter, seamless since install. If you dont glue it, its easy to remove and re-install for whatever reason, makes it pretty nice.
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gsreimers
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2022 12:14pm
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Brettny, no mice inside but plenty out so we did not insulate the underside of the floor. We are on piers so it's pretty wide open down there. Insulation wouldn't make a huge difference on expansion contraction because we are off grid and not there for a month or two at a time in the winter.
Toyota, That's what we have in the loft and I love it but all of that I've found says it's not good for moisture and that has me a little worried.
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ICC
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2022 12:52pm - Edited by: ICC
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Quoting: gsreimers says it's not good for moisture
What sort of moisture do they mean? Spills? Humidity?
Do you have a concern about any particular type of moisture? Spills? Condensation? Moisture vapor rising from the ground?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 6 Mar 2022 02:09pm
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Unless built in a swamp I cant see a moisture issue.
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gsreimers
Member
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2022 03:09pm
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It says on it not to use in high moisture areas like bathrooms.
Spills mainly, we track a little snow inside in the winter. Bright side though, with no heat when we are not there and no insulation under, we can normally just sweep up the snow.
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gsreimers
Member
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2022 03:10pm
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It says on it not to use in high moisture areas like bathrooms.
Spills mainly, we track a little snow inside in the winter. Bright side though, with no heat when we are not there and no insulation under, we can normally just sweep up the snow.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2022 06:51am
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I would use tile for any entry and bathroom no matter what type of flooring you use. No vinyl or wood has both the water proof and wearable that tile does.
We have the cheapest click lock floor on our un heated back porch. It was $1.10sqft at Ollies. It's been there for 3yrs and I didnt use any underlayment. I also have a rental that's had it for 11yrs, but its heated.
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travellerw
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2022 09:47am
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Quoting: gsreimers It says on it not to use in high moisture areas like bathrooms.
Here is what the flooring guys I spoke with said.
I specifically asked about the entrance with tracked in snow. He suggested they would treat that area like a bathroom.
In kitchens and bathrooms they will only install AC4 or AC5 rated laminate. During the install all the seams are glued to provide superior water resistance. Cut ends that are butt up to a shower or tub are painted with clear lacquer before install. The seam is then caulked with silicone.
Years ago, before I knew anything, I installed AC4 rated laminate in our 5th wheel. Its everywhere, including the bathroom. Just standard click together installed WITHOUT glue. Been there about 5 years including 4 months where we lived full-time in the 5th wheel. It still looks like the day I installed it. No curling or water damage at all .
While I agree with Brettny about tile's wear and waterproof properties, I just hate it. Its so cold. Especially up here in the northern climates. Nothing worse then getting out of a nice warm shower and stepping on icy tiles.
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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2022 10:04am
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I've pondered what to do with our floors too. We have snow. And it can get really slippery on a slick surface. Dangerous slippery for some older folks. Currently getting by fine with plywood n throw rugs. Kinda thinking of painting it with a good oil based paint. And using it.
The thing with a tile n such is that they are still as cold as the floor under it. So we've been looking at the indoor/outdoor carpets. Warmer on the feet and not slippery.
Place is looking great man
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