Floor recommendations for a layout room

[bobcat]

My layout is in the basement and I used those 2' X 2' particle board tongue and grove squares with the plastic nipples on the bottom you get at Home Depot. Makes the floor easy to stand on and raises the floor if there is ever a water issue in the basement.

I was planning on using a rug remnant I had to put on top of the floor, but just realized it isn't large enough. My question is, now that I going to buy something else, should I stick with a rug or a Pergo type of floor.

Is one better over the other for a layout room?

[asciibaron]

i like carpet, but hard surfaces are easier to clean (spilled scenery products, paint, et al...)

-steve

[Walkercolt]

Carpet with a GOOD pad it easier on the feet and knees(even standing, much less crawling around on the floor).But it can be stained, soiled, etc., and isn't as easy to clean as a hard surface. Right now, due to the current styles, carpet's a bit cheaper than anything but vinyl flooring. Hard surfaces are easier to find N-scale parts, MT coupler springs and so on, on top of. I'd prefer carpet myself, but that's just me. Ya' pays your money and makes yer choices.

[bobcat]

The TnG wood squares I have on the floor do a real good job of making it easy on the knees and back. So a rug isn't needed for that reason.

[Walkercolt]

Whatever works for you then. BTW, I have a old-fashioned Western Electric Model 213 rotary phone....I love to drive people crazy with it. And it works when the power's out too.

[Greyryder]

Keep in mind that you'll have more dust, with carpet. I'm a fan of wood floors, myself. Either laminate, or when possible real hard wood.

[bobcat]

Whatever works for you then. BTW, I have a old-fashioned Western Electric Model 213 rotary phone....I love to drive people crazy with it. And it works when the power's out too.

I don't mean to imply anything over your rug suggestion. I agree that a rug is more comfortable to stand on, it's just the base I put down gives me the comfort so I'm trying to weigh all the pros and cons on what is best to have down on the floor.

Thanks.

[DKS]

You might consider the Pergo flooring, and then get thick, heavy rubber work mats often used for industrial areas. They can be moved around and cleaned, and are about as good for the legs and back as carpeting.

[tom mann]

Since I'm building in the garage, I'm pretty limited to epoxy.  If your basement has a lot of moisture, maybe epoxy would be best? 

Another idea is to have the concrete stained and polished. 

[wm3798]

How about cork?
I've got an old yellow pine floor in my attic, and put small scatter rugs where the stationary operators linger (yard, paper mill)
So far the crew hasn't grumbled about going on strike...  Personally, I find a good pair of sneakers does the trick.
I avoid carpeting A) because I have dogs, and B) it's hard to fish coupler springs and other small parts out of it when they inevitably find their way off the work bench.

Lee

[engineshop]

I had carpet but after a heavy rain and flooding, I changed to laminated hardwood flooring. The single panels click into each other without glue or nails. You can do a rectangular room in an afternoon and it does not look even bad. It is easy to clean up (wet swifer) and if you drop a mall piece you actually have a chance to find it.

[bobcat]

I figured I would show a pic of what the floor looks like now and the TNG squares I used.




The floor as it is now is easy to stand on, so a rug is not totally necessary. I think with some of the suggestions here, I'm going to go with some sort of hard surface. Thanks.

Tom, these would be an alternate for you in the garage as well if standing on a concrete slab bothers you at all. I used to live in a basement apartment when I was single and the last thing I wanted was to stand on concrete all the time.

[gunner]

I would have to push for a funnel shaped floor that catches everything that falls. ;D
Otherwise figure out what helps or hurts the most.  Me personaly, I choose a chair that doesn't hurt my butt, with a work surface with a slight edge.  It doesn't stop the springs from getting away, but that's why they sell them in bulk packs instead of singles.

Bob

[TiVoPrince]

A good time
to know someone in the office remodeling industry.  Often a new tenant will specify new carpets and the old stuff is still perfectly fine.  You don't get a colour choice but for $1.00US a 2x2 square the price is right.  I got enough for a garage for even less as long as I picked it up at some inconvienent place and time...

[mmyers]

Time to replace the carpet upstairs for the wife. Have the installer cut the old stuff up to sizes that fit the train room. He'll be happy to cut it up so he doesn't have to haul it away.
Wife will be happy too. Of course, that will probably lead to a paint job, draperies, furniture, ...

Never mind.