What kind of flooring?

jijiandfarmgang

Well-Known Member
Hello,

Trying to setup a new grow room. It's about 15' x 20'. What kind of flooring should I look into? Vinyl, Linoleum or tile? If tile what kind.

Thanks,

- Jiji
 

OKLP

Well-Known Member
All would work but Vinyl and most tiles emit TONS of VOC's. TRUE Linoleum is made from natural products, is low or zero VOC, and is SUPER durable. (and expensive)
 

OKLP

Well-Known Member
I'm wondering about the home/garage flooring products that you POUR in, and they form a HARD plastic surface. I'm sure they are high VOC when drying, but once hardened, I ASSUME they would be low VOC, and VERY tough.
 

GrowerGoneWild

Well-Known Member
I guess it depends on what kind of floor it is.. I painted white epoxy on a concrete floor one time. That was the best floor ever.


I dont care too much for tile, its slick when wet, and the grouting attracts dirt and mold.. floor.jpg
 

Banana444

Well-Known Member
I like vinyl, but I was considering using vct. If you do go vinyl, get the stuff that wont shrink. I wouldnt be too concerned about off gasing of flooring unless you just bought some cheapo hardwood flooring from china, ie lumber liquidators.
 

slump

Well-Known Member
I like the pond liners from Home Depot. They're not slippery, easy to clean and very durable. I had initially put cheap wood floors down but they started to buckle after a year or so from spillage/humidty. The good thing about the cheap floors was I could staple my liner right down to them.

Grow Safe
 

OKLP

Well-Known Member
Pond liners I can see possibly, but I dunno how people work on a Panda/Poly floor.
 

Banana444

Well-Known Member
If you go the vinyl route this is the best product for the money. it is called airstep basix and should only cost around 1$ a sq ft.

http://www.congoleum.co/airstep-products/airstep-basix/

I would not use ceramic or porcelain tile, way too exspensive for a grow room that will have most of the floor covered. They make vct, vinyl composition tile, its the stuff you see at the grocery stores. That is likely what I will use since I have boxes of it sitting around. If you need any help or tech questions when it comes time to install your floor shoot me a pm. Been in the buisness for 15 years.
 

jijiandfarmgang

Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the replies.

I don't know much about flooring. After researching it, tile would be more expensive than its probably worth, especially paying someone to install it.

that vinyl airstep seems like the install wouldn't be that hard

I never thought about this product. It's going to be on a subfloor that is currently carpeted, so I don't know the material.

I contacted ucoat and they said it could be used on a wood type of subfloor, just that the seams would need to be caulked. Anyone ever try it on wood?

Thanks,

- Jiji
 

GrowerGoneWild

Well-Known Member
Essentially the same coating I applied on a concrete floor, urethane/epoxy, all turns into plastic. Thats probally the self leveling floor stuff,
The reason behind the floor being caulked is so when you pour the floor it wont leak out. Think like thick paint that builds up a few mm.

Pull up the carpet and pad and the wood strips, verify if the subfloor is level, seal it, Apply self leveling floor stuff with a floor squeegee.

I dunno.. if its a permanent location, I would do this. If its not.. why not just throw a piece of plastic over the existing carpet, and throw down some plywood.?
 

Banana444

Well-Known Member
Airstep can be installed over plywood or osb decking with minimal floor preparation compared to standard vinyl goods. If you are somewhat handy the installation is pretty simple. The most difficult part of your install would be the seam which are easy IMO. I believe there is a video congoleum, the manufacturer has on the internet. I would check it out before committing. If you have any questions or want a step by step of how to install I could oblige.
 

Banana444

Well-Known Member
I also do like the u coat idea, it would be an ideal grow room floor and similar in cost to the airstep. I would keep in mind down the road, if you ever decide you dont want the u coat, removal would not be fun, or cheap.
 

SnapsProvolone

Well-Known Member
I also do like the u coat idea, it would be an ideal grow room floor and similar in cost to the airstep. I would keep in mind down the road, if you ever decide you dont want the u coat, removal would not be fun, or cheap.
Just carpet over it or replace the subfloor.
 

Banana444

Well-Known Member
Just carpet over it or replace the subfloor.
Carpet would be the wtg at that point. A 15x20 to tear up and replace the decking with 3/4 osb Tounge and groove, 200$ for subfloor, 20$ construction screws. And you would be lucky if you found a qualified person to tear out and reinstall it for less that 1000$
 

jijiandfarmgang

Well-Known Member
Its pretty permanent. I do think that laws will probably change within 10 years making it illegal or a lot less advantageous to grow personally indoors here, but who knows. I'm sure I carpet over it like Snaps said when that time comes.

Oh and the current carpet is basically screwed.

Maybe the airstep is durable enough that it would last even after the grow. Probably doubt that though, I mean how long could it last under hps lighting?

In a couple weeks I'll rip the carpet out and check the subfloor and make a decision then. The room is going to be gutted down to the studs. Maybe I'll try and post some photos and get some more ideas for other things.

thanks again,

- Jiji
 

OKLP

Well-Known Member
Its pretty permanent. I do think that laws will probably change within 10 years making it illegal or a lot less advantageous to grow personally indoors here, but who knows.
Funny, I believe the laws will change, ALLOWING more people to grow their own! :)
 

Banana444

Well-Known Member
I wouldnt be suprized if it lasted thru 5 years of growing on it. I have airstep exclusive in my room that my dog mainly stays in. She is a rescue and has incontinence problems. She took a while to get potty trained, my floor has seen everything from vomit to the runs and almost daily urine cleanup at times. It looks brand new and washing it eliminates any dog odor after cleaning, non pet owner tested. And its been almost 3 years.
 
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