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Hey everyone! I have a mobile home that I am planning on redoing the floors in. I was thinking of using pallets afterall they can be found every where for free. I don't know if I want to paint and polyuthene them or stain them. Would I nail them down or can I screw them down? What would you do? I know it will take awhile no matter what but I have plenty of time. Any other thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

Welcome. Go to www.ehow.com and search under "installing wood flooring in a mobile home". I believe they recommend a floating floor. I can't recommend using pallets for a durable floor and question if it will be asthetically pleasing. If you are near Lumber Liquidators they frequently offer bargain prices especially if a spieces or style of hardwood is being discontinued. Check out locations on their web site. We've gotten some great deals there in the past. Just be sure you buy enough to allow for imperfections....10 percent or more. Also allow the wood to acclimate as recommended and to leave the recommended gap along walls for expansion. Btw, reclaimed hardwood might be another option

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

Thanks Froo! I will check out both places. I thought the pallets would be a good idea because of them being so plentiful here and of the cost FREE! Maybe I was wrong LOL I will definitely check other options though. Thanks again!

I remember seeing an episode of the old Christopher Lowell show, where a woman used wood from pallets for flooring. It was a very rustic look with fairly large gaps between the planks, but she liked it and I thought it was an interesting look. But she did say she had problems with the various pieces of wood being different thicknesses, which created a tripping hazard. She overcame this problem by placing thick runners over pathways.

I hope you'll post a photo if you decide to go ahead with the project. If not, have you considered painting your existing floor to get a new look?

As one who is always trying new ideas in her manufactured home(and in need of new flooring) I would be interested to see how this turns out.

My biggest concern would be that I think that the wood pallets are made of is very rough and that could lead to problems like splinters walking on it. And if you have to sand it then I think that the time that would consume would offset the pallets being free.

Also, if they are rough, it is going to be impossible to sweep or mop them(ask me how I know that! . In my sewing room, we just put a fast coat of oops paint from lowe's down on the plywood. It's nowhere near as rough as pallets and it is very hard to sweep! It will be the first room to get some type of new floor put down!

I have plywood subfloors in my MH. In the living room we stained and polyurithaned(sp) over them and us a big area rug. I'm happy with it till we can put real wood floors down. In a guest room, I painted the floor. That has worked too.

Someone has already mentioned the differences in thickness of the wood used for pallets. Also, a lot of them are not that good of wood...meaning it wouldn't last under traffic/weight. Some are made from oak but they are painted and there are fines for anyone not returning them to the owners...so be careful...even if some place puts them out for "free".

Thanks guys for all the ideas/suggestions. I've decided not to do this, not sure what I am going to do though. I like the wood look and have considered tiles that look like wood or even laminate so decisions decisions LOL

One other thing to consider if using pallets - they carry termites and other wood-eating bugs in them. My husband lost a huge stash of oak and some cherry because he had something delivered on a pallet. He went into his shop one day and the pallet was practically dust and then noticed the damage to the oak. He tried to get rid of the bugs, but it was too late. The bugs had laid eggs in the pallet and once it got warm enough, they hatched and were hungry little critters.

Thanks KJKCPSCAP! Now I definitely know I will not use pallets as flooring. Thanks again everyone for the info that you gave me.