Flooring input

[Lin]

We are currently redoing most of the flooring.  The old situation was that it was carpeted in the front including stairs, stairwell sides and driver's area.  The carpet ended at the kitchen, which will remain tile.  The hallway on back to the bedroom, about 8 feet long, was carpeted.  And the floor around the bed and the bed pedestal itself was also carpeted.

My son-in-law has come into a good supply of old redwood tongue and grove, 1x4 planks-- nice deep red stuff.  The first thing is that we are doing the bedroom floor and bed pedestal wall in the redwood.  We are also using the redwood to go up about 8 inches on the walls around the bed (that was also carpeted before.  I am debating whether to continue the redwood in the hall or just replace the carpet.  My original thought was to redo the front in new carpet.  I had rejected hard floors first because I was thinking it would offer less traction for anyone walking around while we were moving, particularly my wife.  Falls are not good even for people as young and spry as us.

Now I am questioning the plan.  For one thing I figured that we could do the whole entry way, stairs and stairwell sides in the redwood.  It would certainly look nice and be easy to clean.  My next thought is to finalize what to do with the driver's area and the living area.  Carpet is relatively easy to install in the driver's area except that it has always been a nuisance to keep clean or vacuum.  The redwood could go their but seems a bit thick to go around the pedals, so I looking for alternatives. 

What have you done with the driver's area?  Did you keep it the same as the rest or come up with something different.  I also would note that one concern I have is to do something that will be better for curb appeal if I should decide to try to sell the bus.  Thanks

[luvrbus]

Redwood is a soft wood you sure you want it on the floors ? some people with asthma or allergies Redwood can be tough.I had to remove some from our sauna it made our granddaughter ill every time she came in contact with the Redwood  fwiw 

[Lin]

I had not heard of redwood allergies before.  I will research to see how common it is.  I do not think that we have it though.  Just as a point of interest in a subject I have never thought about, here is a chart of wood allergies: http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/ .  It seems about all woods affect at least some.  Of course, you could not seal wood in a sauna, but maybe that would make a difference too.

I know that generally people go with hardwoods for flooring, but softwoods have been used also forever.  A couple of coats of urethane these days goes a long way to even making them better.  Our plan is to do a gloss coat first for strength and put a satin coat over that. Redwood is resistant to UV and moisture damage, especially this old heartwood.  The possibility of dents and nicks can be an issue but they can be said to add character too.  I guess I can also mention that it is almost free.

[Dave5Cs]

Lin I agree with Clifford the allergens are Tannin in Redwood and Cedars. Yes sealing them will help but still a soft wood and will mar from anything moved across grain or dropped that might be heavy or sharp. Would look nice though.  We put indoor out door carpet no nap like the gray stuff in bays but brown light color in just drivers area. Used pergo in the L Rm and kitchen. easy clean and seems sturdy.
Dave5Cs

[eagle19952]

irrc...redwood doesn't hold finish/coatings well either...and scratches easily. works ok on vertical surfaces. my dad had it as tub and shower surround...buillt in the 60's.

[Lin]

irrc? Which one?

IRRC   Independent Regulatory Review Commission
IRRC   Investor Responsibility Research Center
IRRC   International Review of the Red Cross (International Committee of the Red Cross)
IRRC   International Regulatory Reform Conference
IRRC   Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission
IrRC   Infrared Remote Control
IRRC   Individual Risk Reduction Counseling
IRRC   Issue, Repair and Requisition Restriction Code

[lostagain]

Those acronyms aren't always obvious. I often have to look them up to find the meaning. It wouldn't take that much longer to type the full sentence. RJ Long is the worst for that 

JC

[Dave5Cs]

IF "I Recall/Remember Correctly"

[eagle19952]

IF "I Recall/Remember Correctly"

yes..the one that has context to the conversation... try the internet slang dictionary next time

ymmv. SCNR, NNTR.

PS my grand-daughter is here to guide.