The airstream definitely needed new flooring; the existing vinyl flooring was worn and didn’t match the retro trailer. Once we started taking up the vinyl flooring, we realized it was not only glued down (and super sticky), but it was also nailed down. We spent a while sanding the sticky floor with 3 sanders and removed all the nails. I had originally thought of sanding the plywood smooth and painting a glossy white finish over it, but the time and cost associated with that project made me think more towards traditional floors. I really wanted white flooring, but Christie and Matt talked me into a dark wood laminate instead, which they said will be easier to keep clean. We got 7 boxes of the Tundra dark brown laminate from Ikea, which should be enough to cover the living area and bedrooms. The cost per/sq ft is $1.15, so it ended up being a very cost-effective improvement.
We are about 1/3 of the way done with the flooring. Matt hurt his back yesterday, so we are on a short hiatus until he recovers. I’ve been cleaning the inside of cabinets and working on little projects on the inside. I have to locate a light-weight modern/contemporary flooring for the bathroom and find a good fabric for the drapery this week. We have a new sleeper-sofa coming on Friday, which will get us another step closer to getting this trailer out of town. We also just got the owner’s/service manual in the mail. We are looking at dimensions for the blackwater and graywater tanks, so we can get those installed asap. This week is expected to be HOT…some forecasts say up to 116 degrees. Until we have our 30 amp circuit installed in the garage, we won’t be able to test and/or fix the AC unit. I am counting down the days to AC!!!
UPDATE 8/24/11: We have finished laying the flooring in the living space and bedroom area. We just have to install some trim pieces and transitions.
Here are some before and progress photos of the flooring:
airstreamy 
Wow, you guys make it look easy – I’m blown away at your progress!
So, I was looking to put this flooring in our Airstream because when we took up the twin bed in the bedroom to build bunks we found some really gnarly carpet. I googled Ikea Flooring Airstream just to take a peek at others and saw this. I thought it was funny because I’ve seen you around on Instagram. I’m finding it’s small Airstream world. 🙂
How is your floor holding up? We are installing ours this week. It was between this and cork (highly discounted).
Jamie- I love looking at your photos on IG! I’ll add your blog to our favorite sites page.
About the flooring-it was super cheap and easy to install, but it shows dirt sooooooo much! I got to tour Mali Mish’s airstream (they are full-timers with a newer stream) and they have a vinyl that looks like the color of toffee, but also looks like bamboo. I am contemplating re-doing the flooring, when we re-do our kitchen. Our kitchen is slowly falling apart and it doesn’t seem feasible to keep it. So, we are going to look into a fancy vinyl I think. We might also consider a real wood in a lighter color. We have been very conscious of trailer weight, which is why we opted for laminate vs real wood. So, to answer your question, I love the look of the floors before anyone walks on them! If you have a swiffer onboard, you might not think the footprints are a big deal!
We bought it already and got a call that we have to be at work in a WEEK! YIKES! And the floor still has not been installed! So, umm…I’m in a bit of a crunch. We will be staying at Tip Tam in New Jersey for at least 6 months.
I did think that it would show a lot of dirt. That is almost the color we had in our house before we went fulltime and sold it. The floor there was super dusty, super quick. I think vinyl will be a better bet too. Right now though. This ugly green carpet that won’t vaccum for the life of me…has to go. I am still toying with the idea of cork flooring but the 3.98 vs 1.15 price tag just wasn’t in the picture right now. I think after a good “storm” (our job) season we will go either cork or vinyl. Like you, we are doing some pre-remodel-remodeling which doesn’t make sense to most people but I want it to feel like home until it can feel like my dream home. (But I still have these horrid curtains). I may still trade it in for the oak look, Just to combat dirt. The Swifter will still likely be my bestfriend.
http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/c/Castelo-Cork-Lisbon-Cork-CKCLCA/10022290 This is the cork I want (but theres lots of time to consider it.). Also, Bamboo-sih.
I enjoy your photos as well! Thank goodness for the internet and Airstreams!
And this is probably the wrong post to ask..But where did you get your Cathrine Holme bowl? Etsy?
I love pre-remodel-remodeling! I get sad that our floors get dusty so quick, but it it looks good dust-free, was super cheap and installed relatively quickly. So, I think you’ll be happy with it in the interim….or indefinitely, if you find a good dusting solution.
I have a good Cathrineholm collection going. I bought this particular bowl on Ebay. There are always good ones on Etsy, too! Post pictures of your finished floor!!! 😉