Tenant proof flooring.

[Christian Morency]

I just tried something I've been thinking about doing for years. I used tongue & groove waferboard or pressed wood subflooring as the finished floor. ( Not particle board. )
After installation I used wood putty on all seems and countersunk screws. Then I sanded and stained it dark brown. ( I would go lighter next time. ) Next, I painted a 16 inch grid over the entire floor with 1/2 inch stripes of black paint to camoflage the seams and make it look like tile. ( Make sure the installer uses multiples of 16 inches when offsetting the seams. ) Lastly, I applied four coats of latex poleurathane.
Due to the random grain pattern and rough texture of the finished product, I know that all dents and scratches will not show or be easily repaired between tenants.
So far everyone that has seen it loves it, both male and female. Not one person has noticed that it is waferboard. They think it is cork flooring tiles or something.
I bought the materials and hired out the labor. It took 30 sheets and 2 gal. stain with 10 gal. of urathane. The total cost was $1.83 per sq. ft.
I'm jazzed!!!
P.S. This was done in a trailer that I bought for one dollar !
I know that's the kind of purchase you read about in books but it does happen once in a while. :D