Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Emmy®-Nominated Today's Homeowner® and home expert for The Weather Channel
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Flooring, Painting, Repairs and Installation, CBS The Early Show Published 01/24/2007 by Danny Lipford
When looking to spruce up your home, there are literally dozens of ideas that can make an impact that won’t break the bank at the same time. Of course, you still need to live by the old adage, “You get what you pay for,” so you also don’t want to purchase materials that are inferior.
On the inside of your home, changing the flooring can make a tremendous difference, and if you are doing the job yourself, then the labor savings will help cut down on the overall cost of the job. One of the simplest floors to install is vinyl tile. Often called a “peel-and-stick” floor, you can easily cover a bathroom, laundry room or even a kitchen in only a day. The cost of these tiles vary depending on the thickness and the manufacturer. While this is an easy do-it-yourself job, this is also where you need to be aware of “cheap” vs. “inexpensive.” Vinyl tiles that have a thickness of 3 mil or less will be very affordable, but they won’t last very long either. Wear and tear of higher traffic areas will mean that you’ll be replacing the floor again in a very short time. The thing you want to look at with vinyl tile is not the price, but the thickness. Tiles that are from 6-12 mil will handle high traffic areas much more easily.
But, for a really easy and affordable do-it-yourself job with a twist, you should really check out this new floor by trafficMASTER®. Their product is called Allure Vinyl Flooring. It looks like a very high end hardwood floor and the vinyl planks stick to each other, so no messy adhesives are used. In fact, the manufacturer claims that only a razor knife is needed to install this floor. It comes in three finishes – light oak, hickory and cherry – and can be installed on top of any existing hard surface, such as vinyl or concrete. The best part is the price. It only costs $1.69 per square foot, which means an average 12’ x 12’ room would only cost around $250 in material. This is a product exclusive to the Home Depot.
Carpet, on the other hand, has long been a favorite material for flooring. It’s much more comfortable on the feet and helps create a welcome feeling in a room. But, it is usually a job best left for the professional installer. Again, this is where the cost of improvement projects can really skyrocket. But, here’s a great inexpensive alternative for carpet. A carpet tile, such as this one manufactured by Legato, can be installed by practically anyone. In fact, they were designed specifically for the do-it-yourselfer. Each carpet panel is just under 2’ x 2’ and is straight on two sides and features unique wave edges on the other two sides that interlock. The material that holds each panel to the floor is the specialized padding manufactured into the back of the panels that grips the floor, keeping each panel right where you set it down. It requires no glue, adhesives, or nails and you can install it wall to wall for the look of traditional carpeting or make your own area rug to define a conversation area. However, easy installation is only part of the story. Since the carpet panels are precisely engineered they can be moved at will. So, if your children are drawing with permanent markers and get ink on the carpet, you can simply lift out the stained panel and replace it with a new one, or you can switch it with a panel located under a sofa where the stain won’t show. There are twelve colors available and, the material will run about $2.67 per square foot. That means an average size room (12’x12’) would cost under $400 in materials. www.homedepot.com
Ceramic is also another low-cost flooring if you can install it yourself, but in many cases, you may already have ceramic but it just doesn’t look as good as it used to. The tiles may be fine, but the grout lines are dirty and dingy. If attempts at cleaning have failed, here’s a solution that costs very little. Most home centers will carry a grout stain that can be either applied by brush or with a handy built-in applicator, similar to applying shoe polish. Grout stain is a high performance sealer that extends grout joint life and reduces daily maintenance to a minimum. A grout stain can help bring back the original luster of the grout line and can make a world of difference in the appearance of the floor. You can usually find these stains in a variety of colors and sizes, even up to a gallon. However, a little bit goes a long way, so this is definitely an inexpensive transformation. For a bottle of grout cleaner and a ½ pint of grout stain, you’ll spend just under $20.
Moving from the floors to the walls, one of the most dramatic changes a room can experience is a simple coat of paint. But here’s another idea. Take only one wall in a room and make it an accent wall by applying a faux finish. By only painting one wall, you save both time and money. Plus, there are new tools available to make this job a breeze. Practically everything can be done with a roller, which means a wall can be completed in a matter of hours or as soon as base colors are dry. Even the faux work can be done using a specially designed roller. Most of the faux specialty tools will run between $5-$10, or you can save a few dollars by applying the faux finish with a rag, piece of sponge or even a wad of plastic wrap. It looks great and it’s really not as difficult as you may think. But, if you want some training, you can even get that for free at some of the larger home centers. Very often they will offer demonstrations and training at no cost during the weekend. Add the cost of some paint, and your project can still come in under $50
`Next, we turn our attention upward. Many homes are equipped with ceiling fans. Over time, though, they can become dirty, ragged and somewhat distressed. Here’s a fabulous fix-me-up for your fan that will only cost a few dollars. Remove the fan blades and clean them of any dust and dirt. It may be that the blades are reversible, which means you have a totally different color on the other side. Another possibility is to simply purchase a set of replacement blades. You can buy packs of 4 or 5 starting around $12. Even if yours aren’t reversible or are a color that you don’t like, you can paint them! Take a little sandpaper and rough up the surface of the blade after you clean it. Wipe it down once again to remove any lingering dust from the sanding. Then, using a good quality spray paint - any color you choose - coat the blade with a thin layer of paint. Wait for that coat to dry, then apply a second coat. This will make a dramatic change in your ceiling fan.
For an even larger effect, install a new light kit at the bottom of the fan to completely alter the appearance. Most of the newer fans today either come with a light kit or can accept one. This is such a minimal cost for an impressive change.
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June 8th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I bought and paid $40 per box for the Allure flooring for my kitchen. I used 8 boxes. It has scratch marks ALL over it. I’ve only had it about 2 months, and it looks terrible. Nothing I read on the internet said that is was easy to scratch, in fact, it said that it was very durable. It is only me and my teenage son and we have not pets, so I don’t know how we could’ve made it look so bad. Can anyone tell me a way to make the scratches less noticeable.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Linda,
This is discouraging news for me. I just bought $1000 worth of this flooring - the oak - for a new renovation of offices and a guest room / hallway. I had not heard ANYTHING bad about the Allure product until your posting. Which color did you get? I am very surprised to hear this. Have you called anyone - Home Depot or TrafficMaster? It may really be a manufacturing defect in the lot that you got. It sure is worth a couple of phone calls. I have not yet installed mine and could return it, but I am thinking that your experience is unique. You really should investigate a bit further. Check out this forum.:
http://forums.houseandhome.com/showthread.php?t=18503&f=10&page=3&pp=15
read post #34 - she did a durability test and then tells how to clean it up…
Let me know how it goes for you.
-Nate
June 15th, 2007 at 10:02 am
I have just finished laying a 10m x 3.6m room with the Trafficmaster Allure flooring and when I finished it looked superb and I was so proud of myself. A few days later however, I am experiencing a 1mm shrinkage in length on some, not all of the planks, which I laid pefectly according to the instructions. Now I am not so impressed and i have taken the matter up with the supplier who promises to get back to me next week with an explanation. Have you heard of this happening with anyone else and if so what is the cause?
July 19th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
We laid 450 sf of the Allure Cherry 5 days ago. It looks beautiful, I have had no shrinkage of the planks, we had them onsite for more than the 48 hrs the instructions advise. Maybe it is a difference in the weather and or humidity.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
How did you lay the strips out. I want it to look like random boards but not sure how to cut them to look that way. Any advice?
September 25th, 2007 at 10:03 am
to alice: cut random starter planks such as 12, 16, 18, 24, 32″ pieces. start full plank; run length of room, next row starts with one of your random cuts, and continue after this fashion. drop-off cuts at end of runs will be random and should be returned to head of run as leads to eliminate excessive waste, and to maintain random pattern. can be reached at: rope2ride2@yahoo.com
September 25th, 2007 at 10:13 am
to Andrew: linear shrinkage in planks is usually due to acclimation deficiency. my rule when installing hardwoods, laminates,etc., is to have product stored in home, stacked in a manner which allows air flow around product, and to allow acclimation for a full day longer than manufacturer specs.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:48 am
dutch,
We stored our planks in the house before we used them. Now we are getting shrinkaga. We live in Maine and the weather does change. Do all planks shrink and expand according to the weather?
October 6th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
we put down 320 feet of allure in i guess its oak or hickory it is so nice except it does not seem to shine enough it is next to vinyl tiles that are the same color but parquet and the tiles shine a tiny bit more how can i bring up the luster on the allure can i use rejuvenate on it or will that take the guarantee away also we laid it to look like real wood by cutting every other one at the start of the row
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:13 am
I put this in, had no problems with shrinkage or anything else, but after cleaning, I noticed that it felt too slick to walk on. Anything I can do now, or do I just wait for it to wear off?
thanks
K
December 11th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
K: What did you clean your laminate flooring with?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Orange Glo has come out with a new product for laminate flooring. I have not used it but I have used the hardwood cleaner and restorer and those products are great. The laminate flooring is sold in the blue bottle. I saw it on Greatcleaners.com.
I know you’re not supposed to wax laminate flooring, at least mine your not. I have Dupont laminate in my kitchen that looks like travertine and it’s wearing well.
January 5th, 2008 at 11:43 am
I’ve had the Allure Oak in my kitchen & dinette for more than a year and love it still. We put it over old peel & stick tile, that was swept & cleaned before & during install. I only sweep or use a Swifter to clean it. We have 3 dogs, one a 70# mix breed & 2 Jacks barrelling through this area several times a day. I’ve used scraps & tried staining & have found nothing that a spray cleaner (I use Awesome from the Dollar Tree) won’t take it off - even permanent marker, or a Mr. Clean Magic eraser (once for a scuff or tar, we’re not sure what it was). The first thing I noticed was that I didn’t slide when coming in with snowy shoes or water spills. A “smoothed” area that occurred when I dropped my end of the fridge too soon after install, has disappeared. A friend of mine installed her same flooring on a 97 degree day with high humidity and there was slight shrinkage, only on the ends of the planks, after she put in a/c & the weather cooled. I’m planning on installing one of the in-stock Allure in a guest room and a special order (yes, different woods and also tile looks are now available by special order for $1.99/sf in 24 sf boxes!) barnwood in the dining room we are now remodeling. I would recommend pads on chairs & tables, etc. While the flooring is resilliant and resistant to scratches, it’s not impervious to same. I work at a Home Depot in the flooring dept. & if anyone is having problems with the product, please go in or call the Home Depot where it was purchased. My before & after pics in the store have been a sales tool since I took them in for show & tell in November of 2006. As far as I know, any product applied to add shine will void the warranty, and probably make the floor slippery. We even have a customer installing the Allure in a bar, although it’s not currently rated for commercial use. When we got it in the store & I installed it, there was very little info on the Internet at all.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
You arent supposed to clean them with anything more than a damp mop ..my floor anyway. My floor is white therefore does show dirt more than a wood floor. I use swiffer and water most of the time. It never was shiny so I never had that concern. Mine is Dupont Elite tho,I have no idea about the allure. I wamted stone and at that time thats all they made was the travertine by Dupont..that I could find locally.
January 8th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
On the subject of faux finishing, I have done this professionally. Another simple cheap trick to “fix” a wall that is not quite smooth without breaking the bank or your back is to add sand or the larger texture bits to the paint depending on the condition of the wall. In a perfect world the wall would be replaced but when money and time doesnt allow that, it does work well. You can do a sponged effect over that when it dries as well if you want something even more dramatic. I have stenciled and painted on textured walls before and it’s surprisingly pretty and anyone can stencil with very little effort. Thats my two cents this week;)
February 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Someone installed ceramic tiles in my kitchen, but did not put down the sealant.
Now the grout is dirty. I’m going to try your suggestion on grout cleaner.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:26 am
As far as I know, any product applied to add shine will void the warranty, and probably make the floor slippery. We even have a customer installing the Allure in a bar, although it’s not currently rated for commercial use. When we got it in the store & I installed it, there was very little info on the Internet at all.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I am considering installing this product in a basement play room. Did you get any more info on the scuff problem or the mold problem?
March 30th, 2008 at 1:34 am
We installed the Allure about 5 months ago and now notice many scratches on the floor. I thought this was a durable product?!? We have a 3 year old but no pets and nothing that should mark the floor so easily. The scratches are right in the middle of the floor so replacing the planks is not something I want to resort to. Anyone have any tips on what to do about the scratches? Thanks!
May 1st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I would like to convert a closet approx.2′x5′
into a powder room - just a sink & toilet.
Anyone have an idea if it can be done and, if
so, how to go about it. Thanks!
May 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I purchased the allure floor from Home Depot in Roanoak Texas on 3-29-08. When I purchased this floor I asked how long until delivery. They told me 7-14 days. I have now been waiting for 2 1/2 months and still havent received it yet. Every time I call I get a different story on why my floor is not in yet. The manager Kevin has tried his best and has been very helpful. The woman that works in the flooring dept Kathy is rude uncooperative and just plain doesnt care. I dont really want to cancel my floor because it is just what I wanted. It just looks like that is just what will happen.
June 6th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I am really interested in installing the Allure in my kitchen and family room. However, I have two large dogs (100+ pounds each) and 4 children (ages 6-15). I really need something durable. What are your opinions, should I use this product or opt for the more expensive laminate flooring?
June 8th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I have heard unfavorable comments on the allure flooring. I have used the Dupont laminate and have had it installed in a high traffic kitchen with a large english sheepdog for three years. I love it. i have to be careful not to get it really really wet when I wash it, or let it soak which is a habit of mine but besides that I love it. We used the travertine ( stone) which really mimics the stone well when its down, but I presume the wood Dupont would wear as well. That is the only type I have used to date.
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Just installed Allure in the living room over sealed and painted wood subflooring. Went down great, looks great, Fingers crossed it will stay great. Husband hates home improvement projects, and he had an easy time of putting this down, we are even able to return the two extra boxes we purchased “just incase” (always get 10% extra, they say) because there was virtually no error planks. Just need the trim now. Wish this product had some sort of application for a staircase. I hate that I am going to have to carpet the stairs leading up to the living room. Oh, well!
July 6th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I purchased the Traffic Master Brazillian Cherry from Home Depot in January 2007. We were in the middle of a remodel when I had to have back surgery. THe flooring was stacked in the heated/cooled room until July 2008 when we re-started finishing the room. When we started removing the planks from the packaging, we found almost all planks have cracks in the wear layer. You can actually feel these, not just see them. Now im afraid that if I lay this floor the cracks will really open up. Has anyone seen this problem?