from my point of view it comes down to money. if you can afford it - i say just do it all and be done... i would keep carpet (new) in the bedroom , the "cold" factor is huge, unless you could find a big rug - but then there is the "trip" factor... i had put down the wood look linoleum at the farm and i LOVED it... even the "texture" was close to a real wood floor.. in fact when i find the need to replace here thats my plan...i know you'll make the right decision... nancyl

Nancy, I just added this important side note to my original post:

I had just bought a new 5x7 rug in a roll at walmart to replace the one in front of the couch in tv room, on top the laminate. I have put that down into the drop off where the laminate ends and the vinyl started, to make the floor more even again.

BOB HAS FOUND THAT HE ENJOYS WALKING ON THE THIN CARPET THAT IS LIKE THE ROOM RUGS YOU GET TO PUT IN FRONT OF THE COUCH - IN A ROLL AT WALMART. ALSO AN OPTION EVERYWHERE. NOT COLD, NOT SLIPPERY, NOT A BIG FOOT DRAG, A TINY BIT LESS PAINFUL TO FALL ON.

I would be very interested in any details you can remember at all about your vinyl flooring, like brand, if it was plank stick on, floating floor hook together (like laminate application) or sheet flooring.

Sandy - i dont remember the brand, but it was a common one like congoleum or armstrong. and it was sheet flooring - i always referred to it as linoleum. It was not high gloss, but muted like real wood. it had texture to it - you could feel it ... and since it was not planks or wood but one big sheet cut to fit the kitchen, hallway etc... i didnt worry about liquids getting into seams ... i went specifically to a store that just sold flooring - and in the end that worked out to be cheaper and less trouble , they measured, took up and disposed of the old stuff, laid down the new stuff.. i have the plank type of flooring in this house.. and i do not like it ... also my mom had some trouble walking and had certain types of carpet she preferred- always a low - tight pile - regular type... not the berber or anything longer . she felt she would trip on those..most of the companies ( major) make the wood look linoleum - it wasent slippery when wet ( except what would be expected) and didnt require constant cleaning and shining like this wood plank stuff i have ( do to the higher gloss on it) .... and the linoleum was kinda thick,not like the thin stuff from back in the day , that would tear so easily when being laid down..good luck girl...

Just before my strokes I was living in Texas and doing some improvements on the house I was living in. There had been previous remodeling to sink the dining room floor which resulted in the floor being rested on a concrete slab and was COLD. With cost being a big issue, vinyl flooring was pretty much a given but I found at Home Depot kits to heat floors. They were inexpensive, safe and suitable for any type of flooring and the best part since I was doing the work myself could easily be installed as a DIY project.

Maybe you might like to take a look. http://www.warmyourf...CFS1nOgodS2cAwg

I did have a high interest in those, but every flooring I look at say it is not recommended for radiant heat under it.

Sandy: probably can't help you much, but I did want to chime in and thank you for updating us. Was thinking of you all week.

I am a hard wood girl. The kitchen and bathroom are ceramic - both new and of course, perfect for the WC. Yes, cold on the feet and anything that drops, breaks. But will last forever.

LR, DR and bedroom are all the original hardwood and best with the WC.

Bruce does have trouble with any high pile rug and of course, needs help getting the WC over rug.

I do agree with Nancy, however. Got to the stores that just sell flooring. They can advise and you can probably cut a deal since you have such a huge area that needs tending to. They can do your measurements and then advise as to selections in your budget.

Let us know. Debbie

Sandy, I guess I would ask why did the washer overflow? Was it because of a burst hose? If so I would put on the water shut off valves that shut off the water to the hoses when not in use. Any plumber can do it easily. Put high quality hoses on the washer, dishwasher, toilets. Check them every year or have a plumber do it. Secondly, we NEVER leave the house with any water being used ie washer or dishwasher or even flushing a toilet and leaving before it refills. That way we will likely see water leaking before it becomes a huge problem.

I guess my point is be proactive about fixing leaks before they happen, not planning for cleaning up things afterwords.

It wasn't just the washer that overflowed. The huge problem exists because the main drain to the house stopped and EVERYTHING that was putting out water, came into the house, either at the source, or unfortunately, out the main drain which includes sewage

Shower water & washing machine water out in part of the house, Sewage water in bath hall and master bedroom (close together), and up in both bath tubs

When the main drain is stopped, no water can leave the house.

PS - I wrote a blog on the event, in great detail called 'Sinking Fast in Poopy Water" - thinking that will be an easy one to find!

Sandy, we have Bamboo with a cork layer and we really likehow durable and easy to maintain it is. It is warm too. I hope you find what you're looking for.

-Will

How would that kind of floor react to a flood of water?