batou wrote:
I HATE that fake hardwood/laminate shit that everyone has now. It sounds awful under foot and what really bugs me is that people seem to think that this look is perfectly acceptable in a 60s semi.

It's one thing if you live in a Victorian house or something (in which case...hey, take a look under the vinyl and you'll probably find there is already real wood flooring - shock, horror!) where you can just about pull that look off, but otherwise...

My place is 50s with concrete floors so...I just couldn't bring myself to do it! Plus, I can't afford it.

Sorry all...Bats appears to have touched a decorating nerve.

Seriously...I have 'issues'.

My apologies to anyone who has laminate flooring...

I am trying, in my own small way and with limited budget, to 'restore' this place to its former glory (not that it ever was particularly glorious). I have always tried to do this anywhere I live. For example, the age of the property often dictates the look I go for. I can see why people do what they do in terms of trends and comfort, but for me, nothing makes me more happy than to see a building 'sing' and resonate with its occupants, particularly when they have respected things like architectural details and styles.

You see so much of the opposite these days. Not that this place is any great architectural find or owt...

I particularly like fashions and styles of the fifties as it happens. It seems to be an era that resonates with me for some reason. With the exception of this computer and a few other necessary mod-cons, pretty much everything I own here is 50s or earlier.

Given it is a 1950s building of concrete construction, I'm guessing the original flooring would have just been plain old linoleum. When I moved in here there was some ropey, old carpet left by the previous tenant which I have tried everything to scrub-up and make good. I recently did the kitchen floor though, so had to cut some of the carpet away from the doorway.

I've never liked carpet though...'orrible stuff. Whoever thought it'd be a good idea to do away with rugs and have a permanent carpet wall to wall that you couldn't take up and give a good beating with a broom?

Ab Origine wrote:
They replaced all the wooden floorboards here with the hardboard ones before we moved in. They ripped out the quarry tiles too. Bastards. Stuff falls out of fashion, so people change it, then it comes back round again. It's a bitch isn't it.

Could you use the vinyl instead of lino? It's synthetic, but very durable and looks similar. What size area do you have to do?

It's only about 11x18ft, Lesley. Would cost about 150.00 quid to use those tiles and a bit more with a roll of stuff.

I've already used the tiles in the kitchen so would be nice to continue that through. All academic at present though, until that bitch Merc gives me my money.

I found this site a while back when looking for paper.
I've not used it as yet but it may be worth a look mate.

https://www.brooklyntrading.co.uk/c-96-vinyl-flooring.aspx

It does vinyl flooring pretty cheap.
I doubt anyone still produces 'lino' on an affordable scale now.

Tip:
Before laying sheet or tile vinyl leave them in the space for about 124hrs to adjust to room temp, or you can fit it and it wrinkles as it expands.

That sounds like about the going rate Abs. Have you asked about off-cuts? I'm not good when it comes to imagining sizes - Ooooh matron!