Tiling Upstairs - Bad Idea?

princeofpounds

I'm wondering if anyone has experience of having tiled floors upstairs.

We have some very good wood-effect tiles in our upstairs bathroom. We also have some really ropey floorboards in the landing and bedrooms, currently uncovered.

We are thinking of using the same tiles across the landing and bedrooms. They look good, and feel nice even with bare feet. The house is warm and they are not cold underfoot.

For a couple of reasons (animals, dust) carpet isn't an option. So this is really a trade-off vs trying to fit a nicer wood floor.

What I am worried about however, is access to underneath the floorboards. Maybe it's irrational, but I can't help worrying about the risk of not being able to easily get to piping or electrics in that space. I think this is largely because the cental heating system is pretty old (but still perfectly functional, I have no plans to change it).

Is this a silly worry? Can anyone think of other issues? I just don't want to lay the tiles down and then realise I should have held off for some reason.

lostinrates

It works in many parts of Europe. It is probably not going to be popular on resale though.

Edit: if you did change heating might work better in our climate with underfloor heating?

princeofpounds

It works in many parts of Europe. It is probably not going to be popular on resale though.

Fair point on resale. It's not my primary consideration though, I could swallow that.

Would a 'proper' wood floor be any better from an access point of view? When I see them, they don't appear to be like floorboards which you can take up easily.

Ebe_Scrooge

No, in general wooden floors are not easy to take up. It's do-able, but it's a right faff, and you always run the risk of damaging some of the wood when you take it up.

I completely agree with you about having access to heating pipes and electrics under the floor - I'm the same.

I don't know what the cost would be to replace the existing floorboards with new ones, so you could polish them and leave them bare. Might be worth looking into ?

adandem

What are your wood effect tiles made from?

traineepensioner

Wouldn't laminate flooring be better than tiles?
Laminate would be more likely to cope with the natural movement of the subfloor (floorboards?). Tiles can crack if subjected to too much movement.

Laminate would also be OK with animals and, if laid parallel to the existing floorboards, easier to remove for access.

princeofpounds

What are your wood effect tiles made from?

Porcelain. For whatever reason, it's just not nearly as cold as the other tiles I've seen (including the ones in my kitchen)

Wouldn't laminate flooring be better than tiles?

Possibly, but I've never seen a nice one. If you can point me to any examples you've see that would be great.

Cracking isn't an issue with the ones in the bathroom - the adhesive is a semi-flexible type and it's laid on a type of plastic mat which seems to be doing a great job.

DirectDebacle

princeofpounds wrote: »

I'm wondering if anyone has experience of having tiled floors upstairs.

We have some very good wood-effect tiles in our upstairs bathroom. We also have some really ropey floorboards in the landing and bedrooms, currently uncovered.

For a couple of reasons (animals, dust) carpet isn't an option. So this is really a trade-off vs trying to fit a nicer wood floor.

What I am worried about however, is access to underneath the floorboards. Maybe it's irrational, but I can't help worrying about the risk of not being able to easily get to piping or electrics in that space. I think this is largely because the cental heating system is pretty old (but still perfectly functional, I have no plans to change it).

Is this a silly worry? Can anyone think of other issues? I just don't want to lay the tiles down and then realise I should have held off for some reason.

My opinion is that you probably already have the floor which satisfies your requirements. Depends what you mean by ropey. If your original floorboards are dirty, been cut for access, have paint splashed on them, gaps, the odd split or broken board then it can be made good, sanded, sealed and look better than any laminate or engineered wood flooring.

Sanding a floor is a very doable DIY project and there is a wealth of information on the 'net' on how to go about it.

Have a look here:https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/47737991#Comment_47737991

blackshirtuk

princeofpounds wrote: »

Porcelain. For whatever reason, it's just not nearly as cold as the other tiles I've seen (including the ones in my kitchen)



Possibly, but I've never seen a nice one. If you can point me to any examples you've see that would be great.

Cracking isn't an issue with the ones in the bathroom - the adhesive is a semi-flexible type and it's laid on a type of plastic mat which seems to be doing a great job.

that is probably why they are not cold.

Ropey floorboards does not sound like a good base for tiles,

Cisco001

Would it be noisy in bedroom?
Carpet help asborb noise...

PasturesNew

I'd get some good quality, wood look, vinyl.