We’re not working on anything glamorous (yet) this week but the results should be glamorous. This is our gross kitchen floor now:
It’s very old white vinyl that never looks clean, no matter how much it is scrubbed. The surrounding floors in other rooms are original soft wood (pine) that we sanded/refinished when we moved in and removed the dirty old carpet (shown below), but it’s in poor condition with bad patch jobs from the past and the newer addition to the house is just regular a sub-floor (remember our painted floor in the newer addition bathroom?). It was a “clean” temporary fix.
Our plan is to start with the kitchen and a small adjoining room (with 5 doors/entryways) which will become a pantry area – eventually continuing the same flooring throughout the rest of the first floor. We know the look we want but we’re still narrowing down our options to make a final decision on the product (bamboo or hardwood) that we’ll go with.
In the meantime, this is what we’re doing…
- Remove old vinyl.
- Pry up top plywood.
- Remove bottom plywood.
(Underneath is original hardwood.) Here is what original hardwood looks like after it’s been covered for probably 1/2 a century:
The kitchen has 2 layers of plywood making it at least a half inch higher than the rest of the house. Removing is tedious and time consuming. Applying another layer of hardwood on top isn’t an option. Blah! But we have a vision and it’ll be worth the hard work in the end. Thankfully the new flooring can be installed directly on top of old in the rest of the house!
More details/tutorial to follow.
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Do you have a DIY project to show off this week? I’d LOVE to see it! Or please visit the links to get inspired!
If you’d like to link YOUR DIY project post to The DIY Show Off Project Parade:
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Your old vinyl is so much nicer looking than my old vinyl — isn't it funny how the grass is always greener?
Thanks for the party-looks like your floors are coming along. Cheers
It's amazing what a difference new flooring can make. Can't wait to see how it turns out! Thanks for hosting!
I couldn't wait to rip out my yucky yellowing-doesn't-look-clean vinyl either. Can't wait to see what you end up going with. Thanks for hosting this party.
Thanks for the party@ Can't wait to see your new floors!
Can't wait to see the end result! All of the hard work will be SO worth it…:)
Now that looks like one hard job…I'm sure the results will be outstanding!
Blessings,
Linda
Wow, what a big job Roeshel! Great work on it. I cannot believe how the floors look underneath right now, but am sure they will look fabulous once you get to them!
Thanks for having the linky party tonight.
Have a great day!
Pam
Thanks for hosting again. Good luck on your huge job. I hope it goes smoothly.
What is it about vinyl that makes it never look clean? I hate it and am glad that I don't have to look at it anymore! Don't get discouraged..all of your hard work is going to be worth every broken nail and sore back! Can't wait to see the end result!
I am your newest follower! Thank you for the opportunity to share a recent project!
Andie
Flooring is always a big job, I look forward to your tutorial follow ups…it will be all worth it in the end. Linking up to the project parade.
http://yvettesblogs.com/2011/03/28/salted-eggs-easter-tutorial/
Yvette x
Wow, that is a project but it is going to be gorgeous! Good luck with everything and I can't wait to see how it turns out.
I love your profile pic too, very pretty my friend. 🙂
Thanks for hosting! Looks like you have a big project ahead of you. 🙂
Call me crazy but I like the 1/2 century old wood! lol That is QUITE the project you're taking on. I wish one day to live in an old house I could restore… Until then – I will vicariously live through you =)
xo Lynda
Small world… I can totally relate. I already ripped up the linoleum in my kitchen in favor of new laminate floors, but since the bathroom reno is still a few months out, I decided to paint the floor for a temporary upgrade. I just did it last week, so I linked it up (#233) to your party!
Thanks again for hostessing!
Hi Roeshel!
Wow, can't wait to see finished floors! I know they are going to look fabulous! Thank you so much for hosting such a lovely party each week. It's always so much fun to link something up over here…always find such great ideas. Have a wonderful week!
Heather @At The Picket Fence
Your home will be beautiful when you finish. Looking forward to watching the progress.
I recently did this exact same thing in my house! So much work, but the end result was completely worth it 🙂
I can't wait to see what you choose! I'm sure it's going to gorgeous! I always wonder why on Earth people ever covered up hardwood floors?! My grandparents put shag carpet over theirs! Crayzay!
Hi;)
I read every post you wrote!
I love your DIY projects so much, I love your blog!
Now I`m your newest follower;)
Please visit my blog too, maybe follow back;)
http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/
Lovely greetings from Germany…