Got a poorly-done attempt at creating a 4th bedroom in the basement that is to become my man cave. I'm going to gut it down to the two outside walls and the studs of one of the inside walls, rip out the floor, tear down and re-do from scratch the dropped ceiling.

I may have many questions

I have one now. Found a good floor covering, I think. It's fairly thick, fairly dense, fairly tough carpeting tiles that interlock. Will require no sub-floor and no adhesive.

I was thinking of trying a checkerboard pattern, but the interlocking "lugs" will create kind of dovetail pattern where the different coloured tiles meet.

The manufacturer was good enough to take a picture for me. I can't make up my mind whether I like this or not:



Sometimes I look at it and think "Yeah, that'd work" and other times not so much.

Are you a Dallas cowboys fan?

I think there are a lot of other looks you can enjoy more, and have more water/drink proof, unless that is the look that you're going for. Lots of laminates and different tile appearances that could be more durable and enjoyable.

quote:

Originally posted by GarandGuy:
Are you a Dallas cowboys fan?

LOL! No. I'm not any kind of watching any sports fan (Even less of anything NFL, now.)

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
I think there are a lot of other looks you can enjoy more, and have more water/drink proof, unless that is the look that you're going for. Lots of laminates and different tile appearances that could be more durable and enjoyable.

I want it to be warm, or at least not stone cold, on my feet, which get cold easily, these days. This stuff is about 5/8" thick and rubber-backed. I don't want to lose height to a sub-floor, as it's marginal already (heating ducts). I don't want anything that requires adhesive because I want to be able to easily take it up if the basement floods. (It's a basement. Ours never has. Doesn't mean it never will.) And I want it to be reasonably tough. This stuff was designed for, amongst other things, portable display floors. High-traffic, heavy stuff moved over it, etc.

This stuff checks all the boxes and, at $2.60/sq. ft., is economical.

Ehh. I kind of like it personally.

Stain the crete and a few large throw rugs?

I hear you. If you're already having plus/minus doubts on it it could go south over time. If you have access to a Prosource they have some good options.

What are you doing in your man cave?

If you are working on guns (or other mechanical items) the grey carpet may be difficult to find dropped parts on.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
What are you doing in your man cave?

If you are working on guns (or other mechanical items) the grey carpet may be difficult to find dropped parts on.

There'll be my "electronics desk," where I'll work on electronic-y things and my reloading/cleaning/smithing bench.

I'd thought about that. But I don't want anything light, as I want something that won't easily show dirt. I don't want to end up a cleaning slave to my own man cave, as it were . I've decided I'll have to live with that one down-side.

Thanks for the caution, though. It's a good observation, and no mistake.

That look would eventually burn the pattern into my retinas and I'd see it superimposed over everything....lol

I ain't digging it.

quote:

Originally posted by Strambo:
Stain the crete and a few large throw rugs?

This is my suggestion. Epoxy the floor, buy some rugs.

I did basically the same thing but instead of carpet tiles I used those interlocking garage tiles. I went with a black and titanium checkerboard pattern.

It turned out great and I can pull it up if it ever gets wet to clean the floor underneath. I don't ever go barefoot while in my mancave so the coldness of the plastic tiles has never been an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by GarandGuy:
Are you a Dallas cowboys fan?

LOL! No. I'm not any kind of watching any sports fan (Even less of anything NFL, now.)

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
I think there are a lot of other looks you can enjoy more, and have more water/drink proof, unless that is the look that you're going for. Lots of laminates and different tile appearances that could be more durable and enjoyable.

I want it to be warm, or at least not stone cold, on my feet, which get cold easily, these days. This stuff is about 5/8" thick and rubber-backed. I don't want to lose height to a sub-floor, as it's marginal already (heating ducts). I don't want anything that requires adhesive because I want to be able to easily take it up if the basement floods. (It's a basement. Ours never has. Doesn't mean it never will.) And I want it to be reasonably tough. This stuff was designed for, amongst other things, portable display floors. High-traffic, heavy stuff moved over it, etc.

This stuff checks all the boxes and, at $2.60/sq. ft., is economical.

There are plenty of snap and click vinyl plank styles that do not need to be glued, are waterproof, and are made for concrete slabs.

I'll throw a curve ball. Basements scream ceramic tile. Looks great, easy to clean, water proof. Once done, should be good for life.
Cold feet? You live in Michigan (my son is in Clarkston), I'm in VT. Similar weather. Pellet stove in basement.
I put a Harmon in mine. Floors are warm, basement is usually between 70 and 83 degrees. The main floors are warmer which makes the whole house feel warmer.
Cut our fuel bill by 50%.

I put a snap together rubber floor in my gun room in camo pattern. Menards had it.

I also had a basement floor where the old tile came up. Rather than getting the subfloor in smooth level shape to put more tile down we went with a carpet made from 2 liter bottles. 30 bottles used in every sq yd. Said to be stain and water proof. Had it put directly on the floor with no pad in case of water. Love it. Menards about 1.25 sq ft.
carpet
https://www.menards.com/main/f...061803288845&ipos=10

Here's a heck of a deal on interlocking foam tiles at Menards
https://www.menards.com/main/f...891147448751&ipos=76

Why not put in a heated tile floor?

My room is in the attic. I needed something to deaden the footfalls a little so I went with black rubber stall mats. Two feet by three feet, about an inch thick. Butted them all against each other. Seams aren't pretty, but it's good enough. About ten years ago, so I don't remember the cost, but it was the cheapest and quietest option. Probably give you a little insulation from the basement floor.