Last you saw our sunroom, it looked like this:
Well, now it’s looking a little something like this:
Forgive the poor iPhone pic, but it’s the only one I snapped (just to text to my parents, actually) before Richmond turned into rain city yesterday. But you get the point, we’ve made some good progress lofting the ceiling (with the help of a professional framer who came out this week to make sure our roof wouldn’t collapse). But we’ll get into the story of the ceiling next week once the electrician has come and turned the (now loose) wires into junction boxes for two fans.
Today we’re talking about a floor plan. As in, a plan for the sunroom floor.
We’ve definitely been putting a ton of thought into it and debating the pros and cons of a few different methods. The easiest solution would be to stain or paint the concrete floor, kinda like we did to our first house’s sunroom.
We originally stained that a semi-transparent “Tuscan Yellow” color and later painted over it in a glossy chocolate color (when we decided we didn’t want yellow floors anymore). The process is pretty straight-forward and it’s just about the easiest and most affordable way you can update a concrete floor.
But the stain/paint shoe just didn’t seem to quite fit here at this house. For one, the concrete isn’t very pretty thanks to glue stains leftover from the carpet we removed (any semi-transparent options are out of the question since it would show right through).
And even if we just painted the concrete with a solid color, the brick border – which is charming at a distance – is a bit scraggily looking up close with glue stains and even a few gaping nail holes and gouges from the old sliders that used to sit on them.
We’ve also had issues with how slick the concrete is when it’s wet. Clara’s feet are often soaked from playing with her water table or plastic pool and then she slips and Sherry gasps and she screams. You get the picture. So something with a bit more grip that’s meant to be outside, like a rough patio tile, had us leaning in that direction.
The real nail in the paint-the-floor coffin was when we learned that painting the floor would effectively eliminate the option to tile it later. Paint prevents thinset from bonding to concrete, turning this tile-ready surface into a no tile zone forever (you can’t even use a solvent to strip the paint later since the solvent would also prevent thinset from bonding, so we’d literally have to hand-chip every trace of paint off the concrete if we wanted to undo our quick-fix of painting it). So as much as we were tempted to paint as a for-now solution (yay, cheap & easy!) we just couldn’t do it knowing that it would severely complicate future plans to luxe up the space with some nice outdoor tile. So in the throes of indecision, we went tile shopping…
We were quick to fall in love with big beautiful tiles like that one above. But as we did the math on puppies like that (which was $6.29 per square foot) we realized that tiling our 200 sf+ space was probably going to be out of our price range. ‘Til we spotted the Labor Day Sale sign that said 20-25% off your total purchase plus 35% off tools and supplies (that promotion seems to be running through Labor Day by the way). Score!
25% wasn’t going to put that $6.29 sf beauty in our budget (not even close) but it did encourage us to hunt down some other options. We found three good choices that met our criteria. It had to:
- be outdoor friendly (the guy at The Tile Shop suggested that we focus on porcelain tiles, which are known to do best outside)
- have a rough texture (to prevent slipping)
- be a lot less than the one pictured above (as much as Sherry loved that guy like it was her baby)
We bought a sample tile of each (*although we’d actually purchase the middle one in a 1ft x 2ft rectangle, they just didn’t have that in stock to take home) and laid them in the sunroom near the deck. We wanted to see which played best off of the wood color, while also providing enough contrast so people would notice the super-slight-but-still-there step up into the sunroom (around an inch). Update: Although they each have other stone references in their names (slate, limestone, etc) these are all porcelain tiles since the tile pros said those were best for outdoor projects in our area – so it’s just called Mtn. Slate Iron because it’s modeled to look like slate.
Our immediate favorite was Mountain Slate Iron because we liked how the deep color and brown undertones worked with the deck. The others felt too cool and washed out when the sun hit them. And it didn’t hurt that Mountain Slate Iron was the cheapest and had the most texture (making it the least slippery when wet). So not only were we sold on that as the best tile option, we were officially sold on just diving in and tiling now. It’ll be more expensive and more work than staining or painting, but ultimately we think it’ll elevate the space more while solving a bunch of issues that those options couldn’t.
So as of last night, we’ve officially placed our order. Woot!
The tile won’t be in stock for pick up ’til next week. And even so, we want to finish the ceiling overhead (i.e. beadboard installation, new fans, painting) before doing anything too precious underneath. But we’re relieved to have made a decision AND to have caught a sale in the process. The discounts took our tile down from $3.48 per square foot to $2.61. Clara was so excited she just had to call Elmo right then and there on her toy phone.
Okay, that’s not really what they were talking about. Although she could easily play in those display showers all day, so I guess she’s showing a smidge of peripheral interest in our flooring decision. I’ll take it.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Wow, I love the direction that lofted look is going! I can’t wait to see more! Too bad that brick couldn’t be salvaged but you always make great choices so I’m sure that tile will look gorgeous. :)
Manda Wolf says
Nice. I love the lofted ceiling look! And the slate tiles… pretty. Can you use them indoors and replace the tile floor with them inside as well? That would look cool… although I can’t remember what floors the room leading out to the porch have.
YoungHouseLove says
The floors leading out are hardwood so we wouldn’t remove those, but this tile is indoor safe for a room like a kitchen or bathroom if someone’s interested.
xo
s
Marie says
I have the same slate in my kitchen and I love it!
Alice says
I love your tile choice! I can’t wait to see it installed. And the ceiling is going to be awesome.
Shneay says
Seriously coveting those tiles over here. Can’t wait to see how they turn out!
Brit [House Updated] says
That lofted ceiling looks awesome, even from just iPhone pics! I am thinking this may well be my favorite room of your new house. Isn’t it so fun to go for a project, spurred on by sale prices (I totally do that too)!?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes and no! Half of me is like “ahhh I hope we love this!” and half of me was like “snaaaaaatch those suckers up before the sale ends! QUICK!!”
xo
s
Katie O says
I love it when I pick the option you guys picked! I love that slate color, I think it will look dramatic and gorgeous against the color of the deck. Are you going to tile down the side of that little step up, too?
YoungHouseLove says
We’re going to use a little lip-piece thing (so hard to explain but we’ll share pics when we do it) so it’ll hopefully have a nice clean look when we’re done.
xo
s
Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys says
I love the idea of tiling that space! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Tiffany says
Love the tile! Can’t wait to see the finished room!
bethany says
LOVE! Sherry, you visionary you. I would have sided with Johns initial reaction to opening that bad boy up but this is gonna be epic.
betty (the sweaty betty) says
oooooh! I love the tone and texture of this tile! cant wait to see it all come together!
I’ve noticed you mentioned painting quite of few ceilings around the house (foyer, living room, veranda) I cant wait to see how they all look. its def a bold choice!
Amy says
Love the tile! You def. made the best choice!
P.S. Throes of indecision, not throws. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! How did I miss that? Thanks Amy!
xo
s
MJR says
Oh, this is going to be an awesome project!! I can’t wait to see the progress!
Mary says
I LOVE the one you ended up choosing! That is going to look awesome! Can’t wait to see the transformation!!
Jessica says
Good choice! That was my pick from your photo too! Your veranda is going to look so fab once you get everything done!
Thanks for the heads up on the sale at the tile shop. My husband and I have been dragging our feet on picking out tile for our fireplace surround and hearth. Looks like I’ll be dragging him to the store this weekend so we can get on that already!
Anne says
Cool! How will you prevent your furniture and anything else you put in the room from getting wet, and then moldy…
YoungHouseLove says
It’ll be furnished with outdoor furniture just like our deck and our old patio was.
xo
s
Ashley J. says
ooooh, it’s gonna look SO CLASSY! What do you do about the space between the deck and the concrete slab? Some sort of flooring transition strip? I don’t even know if that is a real thing!
YoungHouseLove says
That has always been there even when this was a sunroom and it’s not big (none of Clara’s toys can fit down there or anything). It’s sort of just like a seam that’s only a smidge wider than the spaces between all of the deck boards, so I think we’re planning to leave it there for now, and see how it looks and then figure things out after the tile’s in. We might end up adding some transition piece or something!
xo
s
Jake's a Girl says
You picked my favorite tile, too! ha.
You know how you walk up to the edge of a little rocky creek and you can see the bottom with all the tiny rocks? That’s what that tile reminds me of. Also the ripples in the tile look like the water would over the top of all those little rocks.
Great Choice. :) Can’t wait to see it installed.
Jake’s a Girl
Kelly says
Huh! I had no idea that painted concrete can’t be tiled! My inlaws had a painted concrete floor in their screened-in porch which they recently had tiled when they glassed-in the room. I don’t remember them mentioning the mess of chipping off the paint, but the floor seems sturdy enough…hmmm. I hope the tile guy didn’t do something weird! Anyway, the tile you chose looks beautiful and I can’t wait to see the ceiling finished!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no, I hope it stays there! We asked a contractor friend of ours and he said “ahh, never do that!” and then sure enough when we googled it people on sites like GardenWeb were saying the same thing (apparently the paint breaks any possible tile bond and it can’t be stripped but must be sanded or chipped off by hand). Sounded so messy to us! But maybe the type of concrete or paint or thinset or tile your in-laws used broke that rule?
xo
s
KathyG says
Did you ask the tile people? I think that’s kind of old-fashioned, I believe all you need is an admixture to the thinset.
Looking great, I like the dark tile.
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, they said “never tile over painted concrete” – but they did say you can add a whole other subfloor over it to make it work (ex: lay down more hardibacker over painted concrete and adhere the tile to that). That would have created a big step up for us though, so we liked the idea of keeping it as flush as possible.
xo
s
lynn says
Nice choice on the tile. Have you thought about a wooden strip for transition between the tile and the deck? We had a similar situation in our home and putting in a transition “smoothed” the edge so that while there was a slight incline under foot going into the space – it was easy to navigate and there is no stumbling for ourselves or guests.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a great idea! We’re going to get the tile in and then see what we might need to add to make everything look finished.
xo
s
Maureen @ The Parkland Project says
I instantly thought the Mountain Slate Iron as well! Great choice!
Kate F. says
I love the tile! I really wanted something similar in our sun room but Husband is against it. Somehow the guy that can loft his own ceiling is afraid to tile! We’re painting sub floor as a budget-recovery/compromise until we can decide on something we both like/are comfortable with. Maybe your tile job will be just the thing to convince him, so I selfishly say “forge ahead Petersiks!”
Erin Curtis says
Good luck with tiling! I just laid porcelain tile on my patio last Sunday and my hamstrings are still letting me know how unhappy they are haha! It will look gorgeous when you are done though, I’m sure.
Stacy says
I have always been so nervous about tile in outdoor spaces (growing up in humid Florida) so I am anxious to see how you make it as safe as possible. Now that I am thinking about it, wonder if wide grout lines for improved grip works? Anyway, love learning from y’all!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we heard that last night at the shop, although with tiles this big there won’t be as much grout as on other areas like a mosaic! But we heard that grout lines enhance grip, so if you love a polished tile in a bathroom on the floor, choosing a really small tile with lots of grout lines (ex: small marble hex tiles instead of giant marble squares) can help. I thought it was so interesting!
xo
s
priscilla says
Great tile choice; it really makes the transition easy on the eyes!
We have a Florida beach house and used the roughest tile we could find, and let me tell you, it does NOT slip, no matter the humidity or dampness. The kids never do slip, even from the shower. It feels like sand under your feet, but after 10 years, it is still that way and so durable!! Great decision
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so good to hear!
xo
s
Stacy says
So interesting! Now makes total since for the smaller tiles in bathrooms now. Gosh, learning is fun :)
Thanks and I LOVE the ceiling changes already. Good call and way to take risks!
Emily P says
I like the tile choice! But I would trip over a 1″ step all the time. Are y’all planning on putting a transition in there like at the old kitchen (or do they even make those for outdoor tiles?)
YoungHouseLove says
We’re going to tile and then see how it feels. If we need something we’ll definitely add it!
xo
s
Laurie says
Well the slippery does answer the question, doesn’t it? I had no idea that painting concrete made it so unfriendly to tile. That’s good to know!
That new tile will really make it pop!
Love the vaulting with the ceiling too. That was totally the right call. Kudos guys. I’m chicken and would have missed out but you guys are going to get the coolest space!
Tina says
I LOVE this. The lofted ceiling makes such a difference. I am envisioning epic parties out there. Or quiet family time, too. Whichever. It’s just awesome. Can’t wait to see the tile installed now!
katie { deranchification } says
Loving the lofted ceiling! And that tile y’all picked out!!
Didn’t know that about painted concrete – we painted our basement floor a few years back and never realized we wouldn’t have the option of tile down the line. Oops…
Kelly says
Love your choice! Are you able to return the sample pieces you decided not to use? I’ve always wondered.
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, they’re happy to take them back. We’ve also returned extra materials or tools if we get them and don’t end up using them (we keep buying those big egg-beater mixing things for thinset and never use them and return them at the end, it’s like a tradition at this point).
xo
s
Eric @ AddSomeCharacter says
This room is going to look incredible. When you removed the horizontal joists, did you have to do any reinforcing of the lofted joists?
YoungHouseLove says
Thankfully it was a pretty easy conversion! We’re just waiting on the electrician to finish things off and then we can post all about the entire process (John took about seven million photos…)
xo
s
Anneliese says
Love the slate you picked! I also love the first slate you picked, the one that was out of your price range… Since you’re not doing multiple rooms and since you’ve got a sale running, that original tile is a little over $200 more for the whole job.
$200 is not a small amount, but since you’re going to be living in this house for the rest of your life and staring at this tile for most of those days, it might be worth it to have something you really adore (as opposed to just like a lot). I’ve learned a few of those lessons the hard way…
Anyway, something to consider.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Anneliese! I thought long and hard about that but in the end I think we’ll love what we chose and it might just be less “specific” (so it might end up being more timeless in the long run). There are just so many other expenses in here (redoing the ceiling and the electrical, furnishing the room) that I wonder if that money might be better spent in those areas.
xo
s
Brenda says
I really love the tile you chose! And I’m already picturing how nice it will be when it’s finished to be able to sit outside and listen to the rain but not get wet. I grew up sitting on my grandpa’s screened in porch, and I love being outdoors but not quite.
Megan Nugent says
Looks good, can’t wait to see the final product!!
Julianne says
Definitely my fav. of the 3. It’ll look gorgeous!
Tandra@LittleHousesBigDogs says
Awesome! I liked Mountain Slate Iron too! Good price! Instead of the “house of style” its like the “house of slate”. (Maybe I’m dating myself with mentioning that show) but suddenly my imagination turned to Cindy Crawford touring your house.
Auntie Allyn says
Lots of good information in that post . . . you’ve saved me a lot of money! I have a screened porch off my living room with a concrete floor that’s been painted three times over the decades, and a lot of the paint has peeled/chipped off. I was thinking about sanding the floor and maybe putting tile down, but that sounds like it’s out of the question. Good. I do think I’ll sand it down a bit and maybe apply a stain over the top of everything, to make it look a little more interesting.
Amanda says
It’s amazing how much bigger the space looks with the ceiling lofted!! I’m anxious to see the fate of the intercom when you guys are finished with this room. ;)
Liz says
Very nice! It’s looking like it’s all coming together! I love the idea of beadboard on the ceiling in the porch. Something to think about- here in Charleston it’s tradition to paint the ceiling of your porch in light blue. It’s an old southern tradition and is said to ward off evil- plus it looks gorgeous :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we’re going to do blue beadboard (the vinyl kind so it’s outdoor safe). Can’t wait!
xo
s
Elaine says
Another benefit of the blue ceiling is that it confuses wasps etc. They don’t build their nests in an area with a blue ceiling because, I guess, they think it’s sky.
Totally thought it was nonsense until my parents did it to their outdoor ceilings – no more wasp nests!
Katie says
My dad, who just had a house built here in Texas, says that if you paint the underneath of the porch like a sky blue, it prevents yellow jackets, muddobbers, and wasps from building their nests under your porch. It is traditional though, all the old southern ranch houses have it, which is why my parents did it (they built themselves a ranch house on some land recently.) He says that whether or not the old wives tale is true, any nests they’ve found so far have never been on the blue part of the porch!
YoungHouseLove says
I love that! We’re definitely leaving towards light blue for the headboard ceiling!
xo
s
Janelle @ Two Cups of Happy says
Okay, guys I know this post is about tile and all, but those ceilings are stealing the show! It’s so open & airy & fancy! I don’t know why it seems fancy, but it does… :)
Heather says
Before I even read which one you picked I really liked the Mountain Slate one! That is going to look very nice next to the chocolate color of the deck. Extra bonus it’s the cheapest and most textured.
Ellen says
Looks like it will be gorgeous, I can,t figure out where the beadboard will go? Happy Tiling, Ellen
Ellen says
The ceiling?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, it’ll go on the ceiling across those beams so it’ll be a blue beadboard ceiling with two white fans hanging down I think!
xo
s
Lisa E says
Don’t know why, I just assumed you would put the beadboard in between and keep the rafters exposed. Of course that would mean a whole lot of cuts and a lot more work, yikes! This “room” is going to be so pretty when you are done!
Brandy says
It’s going to look great when you guys finish it. However I would say if you choose to use outdoor tile wet it down in the store to check if it’s up to par. We didn’t do that and our outdoor tile is awful. We have all fallen on it. Scares me when my 2 year old goes down two steps. I can’t wait to see the finished space.
YoungHouseLove says
We did the slip test and it’s much grippier than the concrete and significantly grippier than the other two tiles, so we’re really happy that it should help a ton in the slipping department.
xo
s
decoratica says
Mountain Slate was my first option too, it’s a really pretty tile – I like it even more than the expensive option – I love when this happens :)
The sunroom is looking great!
XOXO
Heather @ Forsythia + Oak says
I can’t wait to see how you finish the lofted ceiling!
Julia says
Call me a worrywart, but did you actually test the slipperiness of those beautiful bad boys? We recently stayed at a hotel that had some highly textured yet bizarrely-slippery-when-wet tile around its pool. That was exciting!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that does sound exciting! We did a wet test on all three of them. Thank goodness it passed with flying colors.
xo
s
Elle says
Just a heads up, I didn’t see a closed parenthesis in the following:
We’ve also had issues with how slick the concrete is when it’s wet (Clara’s feet are often soaked from playing with her water table or plastic pool and then she slips and Sherry gasps and she screams. You get the picture. So something with a bit more grip that’s meant to be outside, like a rough patio tile, had us leaning in that direction.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Elle! All fixed.
xo
s
Hilary says
Love that tile choice! And I can’t wait to see what the ceiling is going to look like :)
Jennifer I says
Really enjoying how this is coming together! That was the tile choice I would have picked, same reasoning.
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
Wow! This room is already looking dramatically different! I’m so impressed! The lofting the ceiling idea is something I would have never thought of! The tile is gorgeous too. I was hoping you would pick that one!
Jeanna says
It really opened up that space by lofting that ceiling! It’s surprising how much! I’m really enjoying this makeover, and can’t wait to see how it all turns out.