Right now we’re in the “what were we thinking?!” phase with this project.
We just started week 4 of what we’re calling “tilemageddon” and we haven’t even started laying tile yet. We finished up laying a second subfloor of OSB last week, and this week the concrete board is going down. It’s a back-breaking long process–but things are coming along. We’re anxious to get to the tile laying part. We’re anxious to finally see the actual floors we’ve been dreaming of for the last several weeks and yes, we’re ready to move out of our basement.
Have you had that “what were we thinking?!” moment in a project? It’s definitely a point of no return that we are just putting our heads down and working through. What else can you do? More to come and fingers crossed for starting tile by Saturday!
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You guys are so close to done and it will be worth it in the end! Best to have it done before your new little one arrives!
Over New Years weekend in 2005 we laid 600+ square feet of 2 3/4″ solid oak hardwood flooring. It was a grueling 2.5 days at probably 10 hours each day. At the end of Saturday my hubby was so exhausted and frustrated, with hurting (later found out – fractured) wrist, he turned to me and asked why I had asked for new floors? After it was all over he told me it was the best thing we could have done for the house! LOL So yeah, I hear ya!
Omg! You guys need to get some knee pads for when you’re kneeling on the floor doing this stuff! We are in the midst of helping our my in laws lay tile throughout their entire home. Knee pads are an absolute must for me so I can keep working for more than a few hours without murdering my knees.
You got this, guys! You know we also know this feeling, but it will be so worth it for your beautiful floors. I truly think the hardest part of ANY project is the prep work.
Kim! You’ve been in my thoughts throughout all the dust and noise and rough living conditions. You did it! We can do it!
I feel your pain. Last summer we spent 3 months prepping for an 850 square ft slate stone outdoor patio. We got the stone thinking we were alomst done, then it took us another 3 months of evenings and weekends to lay the stone itself. I’m sure it won’t take you that long though. Good luck, we”re all pulling for you!
We had a similar project on deck for this summer, but we’re already considering pushing it back to next year! Hahaha. A slate patio sounds absolutely gorgeous and thanks for the motivation, Hilary.
With all the layers you are putting down, do you have to worry about the floor being higher than it was originally? Doorways/cabinet height issues?
Good question! We tore out tile, cement board and a 5/8″ particle board (particle board is not an adequate subfloor) and laid 7/16″ OSB, 1/4″ hardie backer board (concrete board) and then the tile. We’ll be within about 1/8″ of our original floors–whew!
I couldn’t help but laugh at this– we just had that moment this weekend! We got everything ready for new flooring only to realize we didn’t have everything and it was much more involved than expected. The prep work is the worst!
I’m so glad you laughed! It’s one of those situations where you just keep laughing and saying, “Are you kidding me!?”
I so know how you’re feeling! Four weeks of a tile project and you still haven’t started the actual tiling… that does sound frustrating. Try to keep in mind that these floors will last for so many years (hopefully decades!) down the road and you will look back on this as a smart investment of your time, effort, and dollars. Good luck this weekend!
That’s what is keeping us going. This time is an investment for sure. Thanks Laura!