That may sound a touch melodramatic, but man, our new flooring ROCKS!!
Our reasons to install hardwood were tri-fold:
1. SO MUCH easier to clean. We have 2 dogs who are currently shedding their winter coats … and a toddler. Need I say more!?!?
2. Allergies :: both E and I have allergies, and she was getting hives from the crap in that carpet. We spend the majority of our day in here, so it reached a point where we HAD to do something.
3. It will add tremendous value to our house.
So there you have it. Ripping up the carpet & padding was fun! It actually wasn’t as dirty as I thought it would be underneath, so I guess that bi-monthly steam cleaning really helped. But it was still nasty.
After that, it was just a matter of pulling up the tack strips and sweeping all the dirt up. The tack strips were harder than we thought they’d be, because they were nailed into the concrete, but a little hammer & chisel action worked well. And yes, I did one whole half of the room myself — I’m not afraid of getting a little dirty. ;)
If we didn’t have huge honkin’ furniture (my fault), this room would get TONS of light!
Then, the real work began. This is when I went upstairs to keep Emma company for a while. But then I made the mistake of helping them one time, and I got stuck helping the rest of the day.
It actually went faster than I thought it would, and we were able to get all of the flooring and the transitions (from hardwood-hardwood and hardwood-linoleum) finished that day. We still have to finish the base molding (is that what it’s called?) and finishing around the fireplace, but that shouldn’t be too hard once we get our hands on a nail gun.
Currently, there is still a rug under the tv, because it is H.E.A.V.Y. and it’s easier to drag that way, but we have to finish the base molding before we can pull it out.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I think we’re going to be okay without a rug, so we’re going to leave it bare for a while. It’s easier to buy one in the future rather than buy one now and not like it.
Plus, it’ll be much easier to slide around in socks ala Risky Business.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh…I’m inspired to rip up all our carpet now. I don’t think my husband is ready though. It looks great – love E’s pose in the last picture.
OMG! It is GORGEOUS!!! I love it! And WTG on getting your hands dirty. I’m sure it’s a satisfying feeling to have it almost done! You go, girl! ;-)
Keli, that looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That flooring DOES rock. i can see how it is going to change you life. I love when big projects are completed. Congrats.
I’m so jealous! I need to do this so bad. This really looks great!! Enjoy!
Keli it looks beautiful!!! We need some video of a Risky Biz reenactment! ;)
We put in the same stuff a year ago and it was the best decision we ever made! Love it. ESPECIALLY with a dog that sheds! I want it upstairs now!
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