Hallway - flooring ideas please

[tiddles]

not sure whether this should be in this section or the main, but I need some inspiration for my hallway floor - which accomodates the busy traffic of a family, bikes, pets etc - so that completely rules out carpet!! We have horrible mismatched floorboards which even if sanded down are going to be rubbish. what do other people have that can deal with the heavy traffic that a hallway endures?? all suggestions gratefully received.

while I am here, I am quite keen on a household tips and advice section (the sort of things your granny or capable aunt would know!), but I am not sure whether the family section is the right place, or the main board which seems to be more wide ranging.

[Pickle]

We have sealed limestone tiles (previously badly laid laminate) right down the hallway and in the kitchen. Super practical as they are very easy to wipe clean, and (as per other thread) able to be mopped. In the winter I put a hallway runner inside the front door to help catch the majority of wet/dirty footprints, and Mr Pickle leaves his bike on it to dry before wheeling it through the house.

Combined with underfloor heating we have been really pleased with them (without the underfloor heating I don't think they'd be much fun in winter!)

[tiddles]

they sound fab, out of interest what are they laid onto - if you have underfloor you must have a concrete base?

[Pickle]

I think it was a concrete base, the underfloor system, then a layer of a softer concrete like substance (screed? The correct word escapes me, but it was something like that!), and the tiles on top. They have been down for 2.5 years now and there has been no movement at all, which was one of my concerns initially with an old house.

[katgod]

We have varnished floorboards but also a turtle mat runner that is genius and can go in the washing machine. It takes the strain before the nice cream carpets and tiles get filthy. I got mine from LAkeland but they sell direct. Not the most stylish but totally does the job with wet bikes/boots/ bags. I think they do more interesting colour schemes but mine is intended not to be noticed. Except when it comes out of they machine and i think how great it is.

[civilservant]

I dream of one day having a chequerboard-tiled hallway in the grand style! see for example http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/quick-history-checkerboard-flo-136019

[pebbles]

Civilservant - I too dream of that hallway. We had one while I was growing up and I just loved it :). We can keep dreaming :) x

[blackkat]

How about rubber, cork or bamboo flooring? All thin enough where they can be laid over your existing floor finish and taken up in a threshold to avoid trip hazard. Plenty of manufacturers to choose from, but as an example:

http://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk/Bamboo.htm

For a chequer effect you could use a vinyl/ linoleum? Not the same, I know, but on the up-side it's warmer than tiles underfoot and easy to clean. All sorts of colours and patterns available:

http://www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/For-Your-Home/Products/Linoleum/Marmoleum-design-elements/

You may be able to find the original tiles at a reclamation yard?

They will all send samples for material choice and colour if you phone them. Have fun!

[civilservant]

pebbles Wrote:

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> We can keep dreaming :) x

:-)x

[melbourne groover]

Not sure if anyone interested but I have just out tiles in our bathroom that would be awesome for a hallway. They mimic floorboards, but are far better than most wood effect tiles I have seen, they have a grain and pretty much look like floorboards. They are designed and produced in Germany.

They are these...

http://www.realearthuk.com/products/legno-rustico-grey

I have 2 square metres of the grey that I am going to sell at a cut price and you can order more...

They do do them in lots of different colours though and am now wishing they were about when I was doing my kitchen!