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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to use foam backed carpet tiles in the DC rooms?

61 replies

TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 09:36

We've had to rip out all the carpets upstairs due to a carpet moth infestation but we cannot afford to recarpet the whole upstairs of the house. We have been living on the floorboards for months and the DC aren't comfortable playing in their rooms as the floor is hard. I was looking around and i found some foam backed squares that lock together like jigsaw pieces and have a carpet top.

I think this is a perfect solution - it's about 1/3 the price of underlay and carpet, the DC can choose a colour they like and it should be really easy for me to fit myself.

The only downside i can see if you can of course see that it's made of small squares and it would be much less hardwearing than carpet - but its not being used in high traffic areas.

DH and DM are both horrified at this suggestion - DM thinks it looks cheap and nasty. DH thinks it will be useless and not last.

Has anyone used these for DC rooms? AIBU to want to use this cheaper option so the DC can actually have a comfy floor in their rooms?!

OP posts:
CatOnTheChair · 09/03/2023 09:54

I've never seen tiles like that, but how long would it take to save the other 2/3 of the cost?
Otherwise you will be paying now, and possibly replacing in a couple of years.

bushtailadventures · 09/03/2023 09:57

Dgd has foam tiles on the floor in her room, similar to the ones you buy for babies to play on but with a nicer top. They've lasted her for a few years now and she's quite happy playing on them. Bonus is, as they're individual, if there were any damaged ones they would be easy to replace.

Lavendersquare · 09/03/2023 10:09

@TillyTrauma I think this sounds like it would be ok for a while but not long term so you'll end up paying more in the long run.

Why don't you buy a really large rug that covers most of the floor for now and save up for proper carpet and underlay? I've just looked in Dunelm and. 2mx3m plain rug can be bought for £140.

If a large rug is too expensive have a look in gumtree or facebook marketplace as you often see ones for under £50.

bananaboats · 09/03/2023 10:11

It doesnt sound like a long term solution and i personally would prefer my children to have proper flooring. Can you not save up and buy a carpet or get one from somewhere that offers credit?

Original poster
TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 10:12

We are now not in a position to save for proper carpet - change in job circumstances and broken boiler has wiped our savings.

I can do their rooms like this for less than the cost of buying a rug to cover most of the floor.

Yes its like those playmat squares just with carpet on top of them.

OP posts:
Original poster
TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 10:13

We don't buy on credit - it's a slippery slope. We may not have much in savings but we have no debt except the mortgage.

OP posts:
Original poster
TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 10:16

I have 4 kids rooms, plus DH and my room plus the hallway to do. The quote to have the whole lot done with basic underlay and basic but hardwearing carpet was approx £3k! I could do all 4 kids rooms for approx £600 and use carpet runners in the hall and rugs in DH and my room for around another £300 ish - so the whole lots livable/comfortable for under £1k

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 09/03/2023 10:27

I say go for it, it sounds like a great solution. I would keep an eye out for large rugs on Fb/ebay for preference in my house, but it sounds like you don't want to do that.

anunlikelyseahorse · 09/03/2023 10:30

Are the designed to be used as a carpet? If so I think it would be fine, you could always plonk a rug over the top.
My only concern would be fire related. Some types of foam release very toxic fumes and can go up really quickly. But if they are designed as semi-permanent/ permanent flooring, I can't see an issue.

Crumbcatcher · 09/03/2023 10:31

I just use rugs, Ikea have large kids rugs for about £30, they have rubber backing so don't slip on hard floors.

SimplySipping · 09/03/2023 10:45

I am not sure strangers agreeing with you on the internet are going to convince your DH! But you might get more replies if you post some links. Checking the fire safety is a good shout.

Another cost effective solution is old-fashioned vinyl on a roll, with thick underlay underneath. Our kids' nursery had this and it worked really well, quite bouncy but easy to clean. Sheet vinyl has a big image problem but the thicker stuff can be hard to tell apart from more expensive LVT.

Or sheet vinyl and a rug. The eye will be drawn to the rug.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 09/03/2023 10:54

What about proper carpet tiles? They aren't the prettiest but are hard-wearing cheap and easy to fit yourself.

Switchwitch · 09/03/2023 10:56

Fire risk would be my concern. And they're a trip hazard

stealthninjamum · 09/03/2023 10:58

Could you get some remnants from a carpet shop to use as rugs?

Original poster
TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 10:59

foam carpet tiles

the fire safety is a good point, i will look into that.

if we had nice floorboard i would look at rugs more seriously but its old, patched, some MDF/chipboard flooring - it looks awful!

proper carpet tiles are very rough, not comfy for playing on.

OP posts:
Original poster
TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 11:02

kids are all under 10 so still lying on the floor to play.

OP posts:
Christmascracker0 · 09/03/2023 11:04

Well they aren’t the prettiest to look at but surely better than cold floorboards. Could you use them while you save up for the proper carpets then maybe sell on FB/Gumtree to recoup some of the costs?

KikkisCat · 09/03/2023 11:07

I anything see sn issue with this. Added bonus that you can lift individual tiles to clean up spills etc or swop to less visible area if needed. My only other suggestion would be to visit a carpet retailer and look at roll ends - if the rooms aren't huge you may find something suitable and quite affordable. One near us has roll ends with measurements along the back wall of the showroom.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/03/2023 11:09

Could you look on the local free cycle / Facebook market places for rugs?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 09/03/2023 11:11

TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 10:59

foam carpet tiles

the fire safety is a good point, i will look into that.

if we had nice floorboard i would look at rugs more seriously but its old, patched, some MDF/chipboard flooring - it looks awful!

proper carpet tiles are very rough, not comfy for playing on.

They look good but at 45 quid to get a 4x4 patch, they can't be economical surely?

Alternatively, if you have 5 bedrooms, carpet two of the kids rooms and make them the play areas til the budget stretches, doing your room last.

stealthninjamum · 09/03/2023 11:11

They don’t look as bad as I expected. Could you just do one room before you make a decision on the rest?

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 09/03/2023 11:14

TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 10:13

We don't buy on credit - it's a slippery slope. We may not have much in savings but we have no debt except the mortgage.

The situation you are describing is an example of when responsible use of credit is sensible and overall financially sensible.

You could get a loan or credit card or a small extension on your mortgage to enable you to fix the boiler and replace the carpet with decent flooring that will last. Alternatively you could scrimp and end up spending more because your cheap solutions aren't hard-wearing long term solutions.

As long as you make sure repayments are affordable and you don't default it might be the best option.

There is a risk that you buy cheap buy twice.

Frabbits · 09/03/2023 11:19

If it really is your best option, then go for it and who cares what your DH/DM think.

I would however look into seeing if you can get an offcut of carpet or something similar instead, which will probably serve you longer and not cost much more.

Lavendersquare · 09/03/2023 11:19

TillyTrauma · 09/03/2023 10:59

foam carpet tiles

the fire safety is a good point, i will look into that.

if we had nice floorboard i would look at rugs more seriously but its old, patched, some MDF/chipboard flooring - it looks awful!

proper carpet tiles are very rough, not comfy for playing on.

That's why I suggested a room sized rug rather than a small one, surely 2nx3m would cover most of the floor?

SeaToSki · 09/03/2023 11:24

I would try one dc room first and see if it is good. Then if you like it, it installs well and doesnt shed/wear out easily etc. then go ahead and do the other rooms. I completely understand about not wanting to buy on credit, it is a slippery slope and I think you are being very sensible