Entrance hall ideas

[LadyWithLapdog]

I need to revamp the entrance hall. We have carpet ATM. I'm thinking either amtico/karndean or restoring wooden floors. I don't know the state of the floor as I've only lifted up a corner. From what I can see in the understairs cupboard it's pretty run-of-the-mill. Would you just cut your loses and use amtico? How would you even get started on sanding and painting and what if they creak? It's a heavy traffic area. The house is a standard suburban issue. Nice door.

My floorboards are so creaky, under the underlay and carpet, the whole house is victorian creakiness. I looked into renovated the original floorboards.

if you're going to go carpetless you have to get the floor underpinned, which gets rid of creak and drafts too. Underpinning involves supporting the floorboards from underneath so that they are more scure. There is a lot of making good to be done to old floors if you want them to actually be nice to live with.

Friends say their floors are full of gaps and very chilly most of the year. Bear in mind also how friendly gappy floorboards are to mice. Best to get all gaps filled.

It's also possible to get some underfloor padding which means the air under the floorboards is less chilly.

Osmo poly wax is good for treating newly sanded floors.

Then you can put a rug on top of them for cosiness.

Idk anything much about amtico but I know those that have it seem to universally love it. I'm wondering about getting it for my bathroom!

I have amtico in two reception rooms, kitchen and shower room. It's great-especially in a darker colour (kitchen is pale pale pink/grey yile and was a poor choice but it's 23 years old so it owes me nothing! The other 3 floors are antique wood-a dark reddish mahogany floor board effect. Hides the dirt of kids and dogs! It's kinder underfoot than floor boards I think. The original floors are cheap, flimsy chipboard so had them reinforced with 3/4 inch plywood and used a flexi adhesive. They've been down about 10 years and are immaculate. Would loves it in my hall!! That's on my list!!!

Thank you for your detailed replies. I love the idea of wooden floors but the cost and hassle is an issue. It sounds like it's more than we could manage on our own. And that's assuming the original floorboards are a bit amazing. I'll get quotes for amtico and look into the wooden ones as well.