Community Forums

walterodell · 01-26-2014, 02:33 PM

Has anybody out there had experiance in changing the flooring in there coach,i want to take the rug out and install tile,i think that is to big a job for a DIYER,any suggestions on where to get it done ?

adamfolger · 01-26-2014, 02:57 PM

Depending on your sub floor, tile may be a bad choice. Many rv ers remove stock tile and never stays clean carpet and install wood laminate flooring which is very dyi with the right tools and advise from Lowes. Most diesel rigs have strong enough sub floors and weight limits for tile but most gasers don't. Someone will disagree.... I have a workhorse chassi (P30) and I would not install tile.

adamfolger · 01-26-2014, 03:04 PM

If you are intent on tile you can get advise and tools from Lowes or they will have a contractor do the install after you buy the tile from them. Lowes will handle it all for you. The installer will not care where you are putting the tile. Just keep in mind all RV floors flex so a flexible grout must be used.

Enokie · 01-26-2014, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamfolger

Depending on your sub floor, tile may be a bad choice. Many rv ers remove stock tile and never stays clean carpet and install wood laminate flooring which is very dyi with the right tools and advise from Lowes. Most diesel rigs have strong enough sub floors and weight limits for tile but most gasers don't. Someone will disagree.... I have a workhorse chassi (P30) and I would not install tile.

I think you are thinking of ceramic tile, the OP didn't mention what type, I know there are some beautiful vinyl tiles out there and some great sheet vinyl that can look like stone or ceramic and is easy to install... a good DIY project if you follow instructions, If I can do it you can too!

I made my own 'stone' floor out of cement in a spare bedroom and it came out really well but too heavy for the RV I think,
I will be using vinyl tile or sheet when I do it this summer.
there are some great floor pics of projects done by RV owners but I cannot seem to find the link...

Ernie Ekberg · 01-26-2014, 07:05 PM

ceramic tile weighs 5 pounds or more per sq foot. If you are close to your CCC go to luxury vinyl planks
pm me- next month, I'll be 42 years in the business. I know something

G Shaw · 01-26-2014, 07:36 PM

We put Armstrong luxury vinyl tile in our truck conversion (also have the exact tile in our home) At the time the tile was only available in 16" (so we installed at 45 degree)but I heard it is now available in 12",which may look better in a smaller area. The grout that is available for this tile is epoxy base so stays flexible.
There are more manufactures of luxury vinyl than Armstrong but keep in mind this is not the cheap peel and stick stuff available from the big box stores-this is more expensive than ceramic tile but doesn't have the issues as ceramic has.
I did the install at the house and was very happy with the results.
Good luck

OrngTrillium · 01-30-2014, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G Shaw

We put Armstrong luxury vinyl tile in our truck conversion (also have the exact tile in our home) At the time the tile was only available in 16" (so we installed at 45 degree)but I heard it is now available in 12"....

Good luck

It is also available in 12"x24" (this is the size I like to lay in pattern). Higher end gas motorhomes such as the Tiffin Allegro use a luxury vinyl tile as well (not sure what brand). Compared to those peel and stick vinyl tiles you might be thinking of this is a completely different animal. Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in the product but believe it to be a great product for this application. Advantages - , not to heavy to maintain CCC, durable, water resistant (especially compared to laminate), resilient & cushiony on the feet, maintains a nice temperature (not to cool or hot relative to the room it is installed in), easy to clean and looks almost like the real thing. There is also a wood plank version which allows your floor to maintain a similar floor height profile if you are adventurous and mix product.

For more a fair bit more information I posted a fairly long explanation just a few moments ago (2nd post) on this thread.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/time-...me-191434.html

Ernie Ekberg · 01-30-2014, 05:11 AM

12x24 would sure be difficult to install in the confines of a coach.

wildmandmc · 01-30-2014, 05:23 AM

i have only seen on rv that owner took out carpet an put in tile, its one reason we didnt buy it, it had a slide. job looked like it was a quick fix (real quick).

Kro1957 · 01-30-2014, 06:00 AM

You need solid advice from someone like Ernie.
I hired a contractor once for tile work. Someone I knew had done a lot of tile and he did a ok job but I noticed some mistakes and I am not a pro.

So on my next job, I went to a tile supply store. One that only does tile work and you will find a lot of contractors come in there. A well known tile supplier in my location.

It is owned and operated by guys who have been in the business a very long time. I got a solid recommendation and hired my next contractor.
Very satisfied! I showed him the previous job and he confirmed what I found that was done wrong from previous job.

I say this because, even though I worked for a major box DIY store and still use them for advice. You don't always get the best in advice or help. A job like that in a RV I would want the best of the best doing the work.

If I can I will download a picture of a 5r that had laminate flooring put in and it looks fantastic. This KOTR 37 REQS is exactly like ours except the flooring. I intend on finding a pro that can install it in ours also.

Kro1957 · 01-30-2014, 06:10 AM

Ernie Ekberg · 01-30-2014, 06:14 AM

Did you glue that down? It looks like tongue and groove which can be cut tight against the cabinets/walls. That is the way to have it professionally installed without quarter round.

Kro1957 · 01-30-2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie Ekberg

Did you glue that down? It looks like tongue and groove which can be cut tight against the cabinets/walls. That is the way to have it professionally installed without quarter round.

Ernie, DW found this photo of a twin to our rig. We had laminate put in the S/B by a pro and looks fantastic.

In this photo of this King, we too like the laminate. Not sure how it was installed in here.

In our S/B it was not glued. It is a free floating floor. I would want someone with experience doing this in a RV for sure. Jim

Ernie Ekberg · 01-30-2014, 06:39 AM

In a home, laminate is relatively easy to install as a fella has plenty of room to move around. And with square corners, molding is acceptable for a good looking job. I have seen jobs in rvs with rounded corners and quarter round trying to be installed and with copious amounts of caulk- YUK