My flooring approach - 1958 Traveler

[js58traveler]

After much thought, my approach to my floor in my '58 Traveler is:

AC plywood (APA stamp face down...the stamp goes down so building officials can look up and see the stamp from below with the top side covered). "A" grade for the smoothness and also the fact that the secondary veneer voids are all plugged too to minimize denting. I am staying with plywood for its pull out strength for screws and tried and true strength at bolted fasteners. All these other new products are great but 5-10 years down the road no one knows their performance.

Epoxy the edges of the plywood panels and in 2" only top and bottom.

Apply Marmoleum Click tiles after all cabinetry is in. This allows me to inspect the subfloor all about the perimeter (under cabinets, etc) for wet plywood all the time and also to let it dry if wet on both sides. The bottom of the tiles are cork which will not absorb water, however the only edge of tile that is at (or even near) the wall is at the door, which I will seal the sides of those tiles (and probably go in a little more with the epoxy on the subfloor). After the first season I will pull up the door sill and lift the edge tiles to make sure everything is happy.

I can buy my 6 boxes (7 tiles each) plus a spare box at 40% off....total shipped under $300. If I ever have a problem...new floor tiles : )

Fresco, Pine Forest, only comes in Click.

The weight of the Click tiles (2psf) over 1/2 the floor is the same as sheet Marmoleum (1psf) over the whole floor.

At the perimeter shell track all fasteners (stainless) will have BoatLife caulk in their holes to seal them, the same as fiberglass boat deck construction with a balsa cored deck (all fittings and holes get sealed). So if I look under a bunk, etc and see wet plywood I know its coming in between the track and the epoxied sub floor, not damaging the plywood edges under the track.

Finally, I am pulling off all the interior liner to wire behind it, etc, and with the tiles going in afterwards I will not damage the tile floor with a sharp panel edge.

[AlinCal]

So building officials can see stamp?

[js58traveler]

Some people are confused on which side the APA plywood stamp faces....and before they comment I wanted to clarify why the APA stamps are placed on the back side of the panel. It is because of being able to see the stamp during inspections by the building officials in wood framed construction if the floor coverings above are in place. Yes...I know that a building official does not inspect Airstreams : )

[Hittenstiehl]

Just read up on your product choice seems like a good product and color looks nice. Hopefully it will work well for you.

Continued updates, with photos, on your progress would be helpful for others.

Good luck

[kidjedi]

Sounds like you will have the added bonus of being able to use you Airstream as a pontoon boat!
Just make sure you've got "weep holes" in your perimeter C channel so moisture (especially condensation) has egress.

[kidjedi]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Just read up on your product choice seems like a good product and color looks nice.

I am also exploring Marmoleum click tiles, and just read about another Forbo product called Flotex which I am now seriously considering for my home entrance and also future Airstream builds. It's like carpet, but made of vinyl instead of textile fiber, and is *extremely* clean-able. Seems like placing the Flotex in front of the door would be be great to trap dirt and debris, and then you could transition to smooth marmoleum tiles further into the trailer (that's what I plan to try next).

[kidjedi]

Originally Posted by js58traveler

I can buy my 6 boxes (7 tiles each) plus a spare box at 40% off....total shipped under $300. If I ever have a problem...new floor tiles.

Do you have a special connection, or are you able to share where another person might also get that deal?

[js58traveler]

Home Depot
7 boxes of Marmoleum Click (49 tiles) $274 + tax + $35 shipping (or I pick it up)

[TouringDan]

I am looking forward to seeing the photos of the Marmoleum click tiles. Sounds like a great product for an Airstream especially vintage.

Dan

[kidjedi]

FWIW, GreenGoodsUSA.com is having a sale that makes them the same price (actually, 10cents cheaper per square foot) with free shipping over 99 sq ft. (though I'm currently having a hard time finding the free shipping verbiage without placing an order). Same price as Home Depot, but WAY more color choices in the squares (Home Depot only has the green and an off white in the square option).


Front page of site shows 5.69/sq.ft. but product page shows 4.69.



I'm not affiliated with the company. Just saw the sale today while cruising the web.