We recently spent the weekend at a lakeside home in Michigan. It was wonderful. We spent time with our kids, grandson, grand-dogs, and got to enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan for an idyllic couple of days.
The owner of the house asked for some advice on flooring, as she claims to have “the ugliest flooring in America”! I respectfully disagree, but agree that a change would definitely improve both the looks and function of the cabin. In making a selection, here are the considerations to factor in:
- The cabin is not winterized, so the flooring will have to withstand extreme temperature changes.
- In summer, there’s a lot of foot traffic (including the 4 footed kind), with sand being tracked in, and damp towels and bathing suits will sometimes sit on the floor for a while.
- Easy maintenance a must (VACATION HOME!)
- Budget friendly, but attractive and needs to work with cabin’s rustic charm.
My choices:
- Laminate flooring: These days there are tons to choose from. They’re resilient and easy to maintain, and able to withstand the traffic. However, wet items might cause a problem if left for a long period of time.
2. Sheet Vinyl flooring; Can have wood-look and the better ones are really good. Consider some that are designed for commercial use. They’re resilient, able to withstand traffic and dampness, and easy to maintain.
3. Cork flooring: It’s soft and warm underfoot, a “green” choice, resilient, will hold up to traffic and dampness and is easy to maintain with light vacuuming, or sweeping.
These are all fairly easily installed if you’re so inclined, and pricing runs anywhere from $1.99 – $7.50/ sq. foot.
So, which is your favorite? If you have another recommendation, please let us know!