Finally the day arrived yesterday and we installed my new office/craft room floors. I cannot tell you how excited I was to finally get the floors in to see if they would look just as beautiful as I had envisioned they would in my mind. I felt like a little kid waking up on Christmas morning and I am so excited that they are even more gorgeous than I imagined. Â I can’t wait to hear what you guys think about them!
I ended up going with the Vesdura Century Oak 5mm vinyl planks from BuildDirect:
source: BuildDirect
I have to tell you, when I started this process,my cousin Frank had told me how impressed he was with BuildDirect and how they send you free large flooring samples (they also ship them to you free!!):
After I ordered my samples and received them, I was so impressed that I decided to contact BuildDirect and ask them if they were interested in working with me on this project.
I do not usually do any kind of sponsorship type posts or product reviews in exchange for products.  However, I made an exception to my “no sponsorship” rule because I could tell from the moment I got my hands on the samples (and the great prices) that the my experience with BuildDirect was going to be extraordinary. I am thrilled that they wanted to partner with me on this and they sent me the flooring for free, so that I could review and share my honest opinion about my experience with BuildDirect and the product itself.  I want you to know that if I was not 150% satisfied, I would never endorse a product or a company on my blog and run the risk of you not being just as satisfied as me.
With that said, I think the product speaks for itself in these pictures:
(please ignore the big desk in the pic. Â The desk is so heavy that we couldn’t move it down the stairs so we moved it slightly to get the floors in).
It is so hard for us to believe that these floors are vinyl planks. Â The raised texture and amazing wood grain gives it the real wood floor look and the fact they are 100% waterproof makes these floors ideal for spaces that are prone to moisture (basements) or heavy duty use like my craft room. Â The best part of all, they are super easy to install and my floors were installed in less than 3 hours!!
The most important thing about installing any kind of floor is to make sure that your floor is level. Â When we removed the carpet, we could see really quickly that are floors were far from level and we used a self leveling compound to level everything out:
The self level compound is just mixed and poured onto the lowest area of the floors and it levels out and dries. Â After it dries, the edges are sanded.
The next step is to lay down the underlayment. Â We used a fan fold underlayment from FloorMat also sold by BuildDirect:
Source: BuildDirect
Underlayment acts as an acoustic barrier, moisture retardant, and insulator, which will help keep the cool air and heat in my office because this room is over our garage and the room is too hot in the summer and too cool in the winter.  The underlayment is laid out and taped down with duct tape or any kind of pressure sensitive tape.
The great thing about the underlayment and the flooring is that both came with extremely detailed installation instructions. Yes, highly detailed instructions are very important and necessary!
The next step was to begin installing floors. Â Because these vinyl planks are interlocking, the are super easy and they click together and the best part of all, no glue is needed because these are floating floors:
We alternated our plank pattern and clicked the pieces together. Â Cutting to fit around door frames is also really easy with vinyl planks:
With any kind of floating floors, you need to leave a little space between the wall and the floors for give (float). The instructions go into details about precisely how much space is needed:
I am so excited about how beautiful these floors look. Â I had an idea they would look amazing but was surprised by just how much I would love the wood grain and the gray wood tones with the hint of warmth:
You will be hearing more about my beautiful new floors and my awesome experience working with BuildDirect once we get all of the shoe molding in and the rest of the room finished and I can share the reveal pictures. In the meantime, it’s time for me to get back up to finishing up this space now that the room is ready to be painted and the cabinets/bookshelves can go up. Â Yay! I’m one step closer to my dream office and craft room.
I can’t wait to hear what you guys think about the floors!
In case you missed my plan for this space, you can go to that post by clicking the image below:
Cheers!
Cyndy
katherine shauger says
Cyndy the flooring looks just fabulous. Very interesting to see how it is installed, enjoyed your pix. Technology today makes it possible to look exactly like wood. You’re on your way to a great crafting room. Getting ready to welcome my daughter from Las Vegas in 2 wks. Doing beach tablescape in large glass hurricane, w/sand/shells and turquoise gems, so much fun. She is loves beach and turquoise decor. New for me, painting handles of flatware turquoise. Look forward to your next phase. Katherine in Portland
Cyndy says
Thank you Katherine. Yes, it is so amazing what they are doing right now with flooring! I love the flatware idea! You’ll have to send me pics. I know you’re so excited to see your girl!
Megan says
Cyndy, they are so gorgeous! WOW! It really brightens up your space too. Great choice and I’m going to have to check out BuildDirect…sounds like a great company to check out.
Cyndy says
Thanks Megan! Yes, if you are thinking about flooring, BuildDirect makes it so easy and a pleasure to work with for sure! Hope all is well girl!
Karen says
Hi Cyndy,
I just stumbled across this post and am thinking of installing vinyl planking myself in our kitchen and living room. My question is, did you install these yourself? Is it a no-brainer or is it something that I will be calling a floor installer to rescue me?
Thank you,
Karen
Cyndy says
I had someone install it Karen (3 hours for 250 sq. feet) . If my husband were more of DIY guy, we would have done this together. Since I’m on my own with this room renovation, I have someone amazing that teaches me things along the way and helps me with my bigger projects. If you’re hubby or significant other is willing, yes this would be an ideal DIY project.
Karen says
Thank you for your speedy reply, Cyndy!
Deb says
Oh goodness me!! Love your new floor! Can’t wait to see the finished room. Know it will be fabulous!!
Cyndy says
Thanks so much Deb!
Ginny - River City Photographics says
I have a new studio space as of July this year…..saw your previous posts and knew this was what I wanted! I LOVE it. Placing my order with Build Direct this weekend!! Thanks for sharing!
Cyndy says
You will love them Ginny! Thanks so much for stopping by. Good luck with your new studio space!
Lisa S. says
Your new floor is wonderful, can’t wait to see the rest of the room! I will definitely check out Build Direct. We desperately need to replace some nasty carpet in our house in Galveston. Vinyl might be perfect. Wondering how it would wear with a 70 lb. dog running around? She has scratched our hardwoods, so need to find something “scratch proof”!
Cyndy says
Vinyl planks are ideal for beach areas because some of them are waterproof (like mine) and they’re perfect for high moisture areas. We have a place at Galveston too and we are looking at removing all of the carpet and installing these gorgeous woodgrain ceramic planks that look like wood but they are tile:http://www.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Alpine-Ash/ProductDisplay_6933_p1_10080180.aspx
Easy clean up, no scratches and perfect for heavy beach use. The vinyl is another option as well and yes, I cannot imagine seeing nail marks/scratches on the vinyl as they are so heavy duty. I would order a couple of these samples and touch and feel them to really pinpoint what will work best in that space.
Thanks so much Lisa for stopping by and I would love to know what you decide to do.
Becca says
They look incredible and I love that doorway! What a house!!
Xo Becca
debbie says
Your floors are beautiful. I would have chosen the exact same color – it has a bit of whitewash/driftwood look which I love. Thanks for sharing the resource with us. I can’t wait to check them out.
ann says
looks great to me–will be needing a product like this in august for an apt. renovation over concrete –will contact this flooring company to see if it is available in south Florida
Cyndy says
Thanks Ann! Yes, BuildDirect ships the floors directly to you and nationwide. In fact, I think their distribution center is in Georgia, so it would be quick to Florida.
Janis says
I took a very good look at your pictures of your new floor and after careful review….I love the color! My home is nothing but real hardwood floors and what a task they are to keep them clean and… Not scuff them up…and wax! With all the traffic we have at our home, the floors you have put in will be a breeze to take care of, not to mention the color is my type of look…kind of beach looking! Still making more sea fan art and love my living room and dining room gray owl and Sea Haze… Enjoy!!!
Susan N. says
I have a coastal theme ( not beachy) and was anticipating your pics before we take the plunge. It looks great! Thanks for sharing!
Jenny@EvolutionofStyle says
It’s coming together!! Love your choices – love how it’s looking!
Jordan says
Hi Cyndy! I’m loving this space!! I found you because I was trying to google reviews of Vesdura vinyl planks. We’re in the process of deciding what flooring to put in and I’m curious if you’re still happy with the performance of these particular planks? Are they easy to keep clean? What about scratching? I LOVE how they look!! Any issues with peeling or cupping or gapping? I’m just so curious and so nervous to make such a big decision for our home. Thanks so much for posting this! 🙂
Leanora Harkless says
Hi Cyndy,
I recently installed a major competitors vinyl plank flooring and am very happy with it…due to cost fsctor, I am looking once again for vinyl plank flooring. Mine has held up great, and I was wondering if you have had any issues with your flooring? I see you have not replied in quite some time, and am hoping you will be back to post more soon…thanks much..
Oh And I love you floors…look awesome.
Leanora H.
Cyndy says
Hi Leanora! I haven’t had any issues whatsoever with my vinyl plank flooring. In fact, I continue to be amazed at how well they are holding up with the kids and all of our paint and wear. They look just as beautiful as the first day they were installed. Everyone who sees the floors is so surprised that they are vinyl because of the wood texture. I hope that helps Leanora! Thank you so much for your note!
Leanora Harkless says
Thank you so much…can you tell me which maker, ml and warranty came with your floor as I’d like to see what other colors they have…
Brooks Ballard says
Very nice floors. Could you please let us know the other colors on your sample picture. I particularly like #3. Thanks.
Marie says
Good morning Cyndy!
Your floor looks beautiful!
I was wondering if u could recommend an installer for the vinyl plank flooring. I found a flooring from build direct too but I do not have an installer. I live in the New York area ( Long Island).
Thank you so much!
Marie
Amy says
I’m considering similar flooring as well and also live on Long Island… did you ever find a good installer?
Sandy @ frugalable.wordpress.com says
We have very similar taste. I have the same colour vinyl floor and walls. Have you kept the desk? I have furniture the same colour and it is such a contrast to the floor which is beautiful by the way.
Ross Hyatt says
Hi Cyndy!
I know it’s been a while but was wondering how your Vesdura Century Oak 5mm vinyl planks from BuildDirect are doing? I’m building a house and wanting to put some Vesdura vinyl planks on the main floor (roughly 2,000 sq. ft.) but am nervous about the quality since they are a somewhat lesser known brand. Any issues you’ve had with yours in the last five years? Thank you! Feel free to email me
Cyndy says
Hi there Ross! Wow! I didn’t realize that its been five years but you’re right it has. Not one issue!! I love the floor just as much as I did when we first put them in. Since they are in my craft room/family room where we paint, I have used mineral spirits and other products to remove paint and have been so surprised that it didn’t hurt the finish. They are so durable and best of all, everyone that walks in thinks its wood! I’m beyond happy with them. Good luck with your project and thanks for your note! 🙂