Good evening dear forum,
I am reaching out to you with a topic that has probably been discussed many times before.
I have grown tired of the granite tiles in the living room and am looking for a visual change!
A few brief details about the room:
- Size: 5.1m by 4.7m (16.7 ft by 15.4 ft)
- Floor: Granite tiles including skirting boards, 8cm (3 inches) high, made of granite
- Walls: textured plaster
- A staircase leading up to the attic
- One step covered with the same granite, serving as a transition to the balcony
- Two radiators
I would like to move away from the granite; what options do I have?
I see the following potential challenges:
Should I remove the tiles or consider covering them?
If I remove the tiles, I will also have to remove the skirting boards. This will affect the walls, meaning I would have to either re-plaster them carefully enough that no visual difference is noticeable, which I have not managed successfully on my own before. Alternatively, I could sand down the entire wall, or re-plaster the textured plaster to achieve a uniform wall appearance.
The step leading to the balcony would have to be completely removed and possibly rebuilt.
It may be important to mention that my entire apartment is finished in this style with granite tiles. Also, some wall corners are not sharp but rather smoothly rounded – I hope you understand what I mean.
Maybe you will have some interesting suggestions. I am looking forward to your advice!
Best regards,
Andi
I am reaching out to you with a topic that has probably been discussed many times before.
I have grown tired of the granite tiles in the living room and am looking for a visual change!
A few brief details about the room:
- Size: 5.1m by 4.7m (16.7 ft by 15.4 ft)
- Floor: Granite tiles including skirting boards, 8cm (3 inches) high, made of granite
- Walls: textured plaster
- A staircase leading up to the attic
- One step covered with the same granite, serving as a transition to the balcony
- Two radiators
I would like to move away from the granite; what options do I have?
I see the following potential challenges:
Should I remove the tiles or consider covering them?
If I remove the tiles, I will also have to remove the skirting boards. This will affect the walls, meaning I would have to either re-plaster them carefully enough that no visual difference is noticeable, which I have not managed successfully on my own before. Alternatively, I could sand down the entire wall, or re-plaster the textured plaster to achieve a uniform wall appearance.
The step leading to the balcony would have to be completely removed and possibly rebuilt.
It may be important to mention that my entire apartment is finished in this style with granite tiles. Also, some wall corners are not sharp but rather smoothly rounded – I hope you understand what I mean.
Maybe you will have some interesting suggestions. I am looking forward to your advice!
Best regards,
Andi
Not exactly what you want to hear, but I think it looks completely fine!
Of course, you can remove it and choose something else.
- Hardwood flooring is quite different but also much more sensitive to scratches and other damage.
- With vinyl, you have to make sure it doesn’t look cheap or like plastic.
- Other tiles and sizes (for example, 60cm x 60cm (24 inches x 24 inches)) are certainly possible. Then it’s a question of whether it clashes with the rest of the area.
Would it be an alternative to highlight your otherwise neutral floor with other features, such as wall colors, furnishings, or lighting?
Of course, you can remove it and choose something else.
- Hardwood flooring is quite different but also much more sensitive to scratches and other damage.
- With vinyl, you have to make sure it doesn’t look cheap or like plastic.
- Other tiles and sizes (for example, 60cm x 60cm (24 inches x 24 inches)) are certainly possible. Then it’s a question of whether it clashes with the rest of the area.
Would it be an alternative to highlight your otherwise neutral floor with other features, such as wall colors, furnishings, or lighting?
M
Myrna_Loy23 Sep 2021 19:20Have it sanded down and opt for a more matte finish?
H
hampshire24 Sep 2021 10:24You apparently have a stone floor rather than tiles. These are extremely durable (just look at old churches). Research the value of stone flooring and consider how much value you want to reduce or replace. Contrary to my usual recommendation, I would suggest aiming for a reversible solution to preserve the property’s value and accept possible slight differences in floor height.
Of course, taste is subjective, and if you’re tired of the floor, that’s understandable. A combination of stone flooring with carefully placed rugs, for example from Mater, Louis de Poortere, CPRN Homood, Thibault van Renne—just to name a few very different options for inspiration—can work well.
Of course, taste is subjective, and if you’re tired of the floor, that’s understandable. A combination of stone flooring with carefully placed rugs, for example from Mater, Louis de Poortere, CPRN Homood, Thibault van Renne—just to name a few very different options for inspiration—can work well.
Hello "Tschitschi".
We should not impose our own ideas of aesthetics here. Therefore, your questions should be answered independently of the impression the granite slabs give us.
To answer your question:
Yes, of course, there are other options. Depending on the type of flooring you have in mind and also (as already mentioned) whether there is underfloor heating or not.
Technically, the undercuts and corners under or next to the stairs are labor-intensive.
All skirtings must be removed. However, this should not be a problem, as they are usually only spot-glued on the back.
Usually, the wall surfaces are not significantly affected, meaning that the damage to the wall plaster is limited and can be repaired and repainted.
Regarding the floor surfaces:
Preparation includes thorough machine cleaning and intensive sanding of the natural stone surface.
Prime with a dispersion primer approved for non-absorbent substrates, then apply an industrial leveling compound about 3mm (1/8 inch) thick.
This creates a uniformly absorbent surface suitable for elastic floor coverings.
If there is underfloor heating, the thermal resistance should not increase compared to the current situation. This means only a relatively thin top layer is possible.
If parquet flooring is desired (whether glued down or as a floating floor), the natural stone must be removed.
Because it is impossible to predict whether the heat transfer will remain sufficient to adequately heat the room.
I strongly advise against sanding, leveling, and pigmenting/sealing the surface. You would likely be unhappy with that solution in the coming years.
---------------
Certainly a difficult decision.
We should not impose our own ideas of aesthetics here. Therefore, your questions should be answered independently of the impression the granite slabs give us.
To answer your question:
Yes, of course, there are other options. Depending on the type of flooring you have in mind and also (as already mentioned) whether there is underfloor heating or not.
Technically, the undercuts and corners under or next to the stairs are labor-intensive.
All skirtings must be removed. However, this should not be a problem, as they are usually only spot-glued on the back.
Usually, the wall surfaces are not significantly affected, meaning that the damage to the wall plaster is limited and can be repaired and repainted.
Regarding the floor surfaces:
Preparation includes thorough machine cleaning and intensive sanding of the natural stone surface.
Prime with a dispersion primer approved for non-absorbent substrates, then apply an industrial leveling compound about 3mm (1/8 inch) thick.
This creates a uniformly absorbent surface suitable for elastic floor coverings.
If there is underfloor heating, the thermal resistance should not increase compared to the current situation. This means only a relatively thin top layer is possible.
If parquet flooring is desired (whether glued down or as a floating floor), the natural stone must be removed.
Because it is impossible to predict whether the heat transfer will remain sufficient to adequately heat the room.
I strongly advise against sanding, leveling, and pigmenting/sealing the surface. You would likely be unhappy with that solution in the coming years.
---------------
Certainly a difficult decision.
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