The Moment I've Been Dreading Has Arrived: Office Teardown

[Jason Dunn]

<p><em>This is off-topic for all the sites except Digital Home Thoughts, but I thought you all might enjoy this article. OK, yeah, I'm looking for some sympathy.</em> <em>;-) Have a great weekend everyone!</em></p><p>I've been putting this off for at least two years now, but I finally had to bite the bullet and get it done: I had to tear-down my home office and move it in order to get my floor fixed. We moved into this house in 2001, and finished the basement later that year. We put down berber carpet, which at the time seemed like a good idea because basements tend to be cold. Then we got a <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/keiko.jpg" target="_blank">little puppy named Keiko</a> - and after a few months that berber carpet was covered in stains (house-training a puppy is a messy business). It was also problematic for me to not be able to roll my office chair from computer to computer - for a while I had a custom-cut piece of Plexiglas on the floor, but over time that cracked and broke.</p><p>Not wanting to pay another $500 to replace it, and realizing it was a bit demoralizing to be working surrounded by urine stains, it was time for a renovation to my home office. In 2006 I hired a carpenter, and he sub-contracted a flooring company (<a href="http://www.underfoot-floors.ca/" target="_blank">Underfoot Floors</a> in Calgary), to re-do several key parts of my office. He built a custom set of shelves for me, and the flooring company ripped up the berber carpet and installed a hardwood laminate floor. For a while, everything was great - but then I started to notice that as I rolled my chair across the floor, it would seem to catch on the floor. Over the next year, I'd find little chips of broken hardwood laminate - bit by bit, I was destroying the floor. The entire point of going with the hardwood laminate was to get something tough enough to stand up to a rolling office chair. I brought in the carpenter and the flooring company, and there was a lot of shoulder shrugging and finger-pointing.</p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-3" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1760" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-3.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-3" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 1: This is what the floor looked like after a couple of years worth of my chair rolling over it.</em></p><p>The problem was two-fold: the underlay that Underfoot Flooring used was quite thick. I had asked for a thick underlay in an attempt to plug up some of the awful insulation problems that <a href="http://www.jasondunn.com/archive/buildingwithbaywest/index2.html" target="_blank">Bay West Homes inflicted upon us</a> when they built the house - on a cold day, my basement would be a good 15 degrees Celsius colder than the main floor. You could hold your hand along the baseboards and feel freezing cold air blowing in. Knowing nothing about flooring, I didn't realize that by having the thicker underlay would cause the floor to move up and down more. You'd think that the flooring professionals would have pointed this out to me, right? No such luck. The particular flooring that I selected - completely based on colour and design, because hey, what do I know about flooring - turned out to have a bevelled edge, meaning that the pieces didn't lock as tightly together as the indestructible Pergo flooring I had back in my condo. Again, I had no clue - Underfoot Flooring knew this was going in a home office, so I trusted their advice about the flooring options I had. <MORE /><!--more--></p><p>In early 2008 someone from Underfoot Flooring came in (after much griping on my part), examined the problem, and said the best thing to do was to replace the broken boards - which they'd send someone out to do at their cost - and find a surface to put under the chair so it wouldn't happen again. I was dreading ripping apart my office, so I put it off for months and months. I tried to get in touch with Underfoot Flooring again in late 2008, but struck out - no one was answering their phone, and eventually it was disconnected. I drove past their store front, and sure enough, it was abandoned. And not in the "we're going out of business slowly" kind of way - their store sign was still up, and inside there were still parts of their displays set up. This is a "we don't want to pay our lease and we took anything of value out of the store in the middle of the night" kind of scenario. Their Web site is still up, but the phone numbers no longer work.</p><p>So, with much grumbling and groaning, I tore down my office last night in order to make room for someone to come in and replace the broken floorboards. Here are a few photos of the process...</p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 2: </em><em>Just getting started with the tear-down...</em></p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-2.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 3: </em><em>All my technology...gone! OK, well, one computer remains, secure on a shelf.</em></p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-4.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 4: </em><em>And here I thought I kept my office fairly clean. Yuck!</em></p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-5.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 5: </em><em>So...much...technology.</em></p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-6.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 6: </em><em>Putting it all back is where the real nightmare begins!</em></p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-7.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 7: </em><em>Most of the problem was the very thick underlay the flooring company used - it had far too much &ldquo;give&rdquo; and the floor-boards would move as I rolled over them in my chair, catching and breaking.</em></p><p><img alt="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1758" height="450" src="http://www.jasondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/deconstructing-jasons-office-8.jpg" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="deconstructing-jasons-office-1" width="600" /></p><p><em>Figure 8: </em><em>All done! Everything is fixed.</em></p><p>And now I'm faced with the daunting task of re-assembling my whole office...it's hard to know where to start, there's so much work to be done. I still need to find something to go underneath my office chair - I've been looking at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/l3xrj4" target="_blank">interlocking gym floor-type materials</a> but I'm not sure how well they'll work, and they're expensive. I'm going to use this opportunity to simplify my office a bit - the Logitech 5.1 surround sound system will probably be replaced by a simple 2+1 speaker setup. And if Windows 7 were out now, I'd probably use this opportunity to tear down and re-build all my computer systems...but the timing isn't right for that. I have quite a lot of work ahead of me this weekend...</p><p><em>Jason Dunn owns and operates <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Inc.</a>, a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys <a href="http://photos.jasondunn.com/" target="_blank">photography</a>, mobile devices, <a href="http://www.jasondunn.com/" target="_blank">blogging</a>, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog. Maybe he should leave his office in pieces and go buy a 17" Macbook Pro and call it a day.</em></p><p><em></em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p><p><strong>Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Thoughts Media Review Team</a>! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com/reviewteam.php" target="_blank">Then click here for more information.</a></strong></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1240336793.usr1.gif" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[dgage]

If you want to be able to roll your chair, I wouldn't touch the interlocking gym tiles. You might want to look more at a garage type flooring as they have some thin interlocking tiles that might work well. I will say I have a fairly inexpensive laminate I bought at Sam's Club (made by a Pergo subsidiary company) and I have had no problems with it in my office. But I didn't put any more underlayment than what came on the back of each piece of flooring so I am sure that is a big part of it.

David

[ptyork]

Have you considered just buying a bit more laminate--either the same or of a contrasting color and/or style--and laying on top? Might be cheaper and tougher than some of the other options. Since your work area is roughly rectangular in shape, it should be easy, especially if you get the snap-together type with the built-in underlayment. Get some end moldings to make it look nice (and to make the action of accidentally rolling off less traumatic). The second layer would all but eliminate the slight up-and-down "travel" that caused the chipping.

Also, a simple vinyl floor mat from an office store would seem to be a plausible (and cheap) alternative.

[EscapePod]

Figure 6 is what my "office" looks like ALL the time <img src="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Big Grin" class="inlineimg" />

[Oleander]

I don't know why, but apparantly most people are unaware that their chairs have "hard" wheels which operates best on carpets instead of "soft" wheels which doesn't do nearly as much damage to a wood floor.

Where I come from, on more professional office chairs, it's just a matter of specifying which type of wheels you want.

Could this be the case here?

[jdmountford]

Allright.... one, office stores have these wonderful mats that you put on floors for chairs to roll on. They come in various sizes and work great!!!

Two, it seems that owning a new custom built home is as much of a PITA as owning a ten year old home. uggg.

Three, Windows 7 RC is super stable and good until October 2010 I think. I am running the RC on my main system with no worries and no stress.

Goodluck putting the office back together.

[daS]

Sorry, Jason, but no sympathy from me here. I had to clean out my home office and move to a corner of the master bedroom. I don't get my office back for about a year to 18 months since it's now been turned into a nursery. Once the baby sleeps through the night, he's moving into his older brother's room and I get my office back - but with light blue paint on the walls. :rolleyes:

Okay, well given the trade-off I'm making (especially writing this on Father's Day here in the USA) I guess I don't get any sympathy either! ;)

Anyway, just a few more weeks (or perhaps days) until the room is occupied again. :eek:

[retireme]

I could not believe the article arriving at such an opportune moment. I had promised my wife, that whilst she was holidaying in the UK, I would "fix" up the study (home office). I dutifully took her to the airport on the 5th June, waved her off with a tear in my eye... and set off for home with full intentions of attacking the study immediately. From memory, I slept till 10:30 am on the first day and when finally getting up found an excuse to delay the start until the next day. It is now 22 June and I have run out of excuses, I have to start and I have to start NOW! She is due back in 11 days...

So, I can fully sympathize with Jason.

My real reason for reply here was to alert people to an alternative if they are considering a new floor for an office. I put a lot of work into this and even visited many high traffic offices, both pedestrian and the wheeled kind (office chairs). I was able to get a sample and I put it through its paces. I stabbed it with a knife, dropped many items from desk height, (which reminds me, I need a new stapler) and this is what I found:

http://www.bamboozle.com.au/gallery/

I have no affiliation with this company but provide the URL for the purpose of display only. Regardless of my final choice of flooring, I will still be purchasing a purpose built floor mat, specifically designed for high traffic office chairs and maybe, just maybe, my study will survive for a few years to come.

I had better get moving, she has just sent a text from Stonehenge.... "is the floor done yet?"

[tregnier]

Hi Jason,

I just remodeled my office, having an engineered wood floor installed. I also have a Herman Miller chair like yours. Don't buy a pad, make something, etc. I purchased a Karastan wool area rug and put a good pad under the rug. (Bought the rug on sale very inexpensively). Look for a rug with a thick, dense weave. The chair moves nicely on it. Protects the floor. Quiet. Attractive.

Good luck.

[The Yaz]

Jason,

The simple solution is to invest in a computer chair with different wheels. I do not remember the brand, but I bought a computer chair for my son's room that uses roller blade wheels on the feet.

They work great. No scuff marks, and they roll quietly.

When I return home from vacation, I'll send you the manufacturer's name.

I would be afraid to put a rubber surface kile those gym tile though. I did that in our kid's play room and found mold had formed in the wood grain. It seems the tile retained the moisture. So be careful.

Good luck.

Steve :cool:

[Jason Dunn]

Sorry to everyone for not responding in this thread sooner...Sunday night I came down with the flu, and was completely wiped out Monday and most of Tuesday. I'm feeling better today, though still not eating...

If you want to be able to roll your chair, I wouldn't touch the interlocking gym tiles. You might want to look more at a garage type flooring as they have some thin interlocking tiles that might work well.

The gym flooring comes in a bunch of different thickness's, and the thicker ones are quite firm, so I think rolling on them would be OK. However, I liked your idea of the garage floor tiling, so I looked into it and ended up buying some. I'll post a picture later in the thread.

But I didn't put any more underlayment than what came on the back of each piece of flooring so I am sure that is a big part of it.

Yeah, the underlay is about 80% of the problem - it allows for a huge amount of "flex" in the laminate, which means the edges pop up and get caught by the wheels. If I didn't have that thick underlay, I doubt I'd have these problems. :mad:

[Jason Dunn]

Also, a simple vinyl floor mat from an office store would seem to be a plausible (and cheap) alternative.

I did a LOT of research into those mats a few years ago, and today nothing has changed: Staples and Office Depot, the two big office stores in Canada, all sell the same sorts of mats. They're not big enough, are designed for carpet with hard spike underneath, and are designed for a single computer scenario. I need to be able to move to all three workstations I have in my office. As I mentioned in the article, I had a custom-cut sheet of Plexiglas in place for a while - that was purchased from a smaller office supply store - but it cracked and broke.

[Jason Dunn]

Figure 6 is what my "office" looks like ALL the time <img src="http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Big Grin" class="inlineimg" />

That's a terrifying thought! :D

[Jason Dunn]

I don't know why, but apparantly most people are unaware that their chairs have "hard" wheels which operates best on carpets instead of "soft" wheels which doesn't do nearly as much damage to a wood floor.

You can count me as one of those people - I had no idea I could get rubber wheels for my Aeron chair! But here’s the thing; it’s too risky to switch out the wheels and HOPE that it works. Because if it doesn’t, and the floor chips, I have no more spare boards to replace them…not would I want to re-do all the work I’ve just done. So that’s why the added flooring is a must-do.

But just for added fun I've ordered some of the rubber wheels - thanks for the suggestion! I'm hoping it will make rolling over the garage floor tiling easier - there are some slightly raised bumps that make rolling a bit less effortless than I was hoping for. :)

[Jason Dunn]

Sorry, Jason, but no sympathy from me here. I had to clean out my home office and move to a corner of the master bedroom. I don't get my office back for about a year to 18 months since it's now been turned into a nursery.

Haha...OK, point taken! :D Ashley's the one who lost her office with our baby on the way - and when we have our second child, it will be the spare bedroom that gets gobbled up. If my office were ever "at risk" it would be time to move to a new house I think... :)

[Jason Dunn]

The simple solution is to invest in a computer chair with different wheels.

And give up the chair I spent $1300 on??? Never! :D That would be an expensive loss, and as I mention elsewhere in the thread, I'm not convinced a new chair would solve the problem - nor would I want to run the risk of being wrong.

I would be afraid to put a rubber surface kile those gym tile though. I did that in our kid's play room and found mold had formed in the wood grain. It seems the tile retained the moisture.

I appreciate the warning - I'll be sure to pay attention to what's going on underneath the tiles. Calgary is one of the driest places in the world though - in the winter months we have less moisture in the air than the Sahara desert supposedly - so I'm not sure I'll have that problem...

[Cold Flame]

I did a LOT of research into those mats a few years ago, and today nothing has changed: Staples and Office Depot, the two big office stores in Canada, all sell the same sorts of mats. They're not big enough, are designed for carpet with hard spike underneath, and are designed for a single computer scenario. I need to be able to move to all three workstations I have in my office. As I mentioned in the article, I had a custom-cut sheet of Plexiglas in place for a while - that was purchased from a smaller office supply store - but it cracked and broke.

Hey Jason,

In addition to my comments on your blog about the rubber wheels, I just wanted to chime in on the above comment. Ikea sells the mats without spikes; I currently use them on my hardwood floor (two of them) in front of my desk and it works quite well. I cut mine to be a custom fit in a couple places, and the ones from Ikea also have a slightly sticky bottom in that they don't slide around. I believe they are sold explicitly for use on hardwood/laminate flooring. Just a thought anyway... They were quite cheap there too as compared to office-supply stores. I think they were only $5 or $10 each??? It's been a couple years though, so I can't remember for sure.

[Jason Dunn]

Ikea sells the mats without spikes; I currently use them on my hardwood floor (two of them) in front of my desk and it works quite well.

I appreciate the input, but as I said, I've already bought and implemented a solution. :) I'll post a photo of it here later today. I looked at Ikea, and they only have one option for a floor mat that I can find. The KOLON:

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/44881100

It's only 3.25 feet by 3.9 feet. The area I needed to cover was, at minimum 5 feet by 6.5 feet. Maybe they used to make them bigger...?

[Jason Dunn]

OK, here's how it turned out:

http://www.jasondunn.com/the-new-floor-and-new-floor-covering-1822

[ehollins]

I'm pretty picky about desks and most of the stuff that is available commercially is crap in my opinion. However, I fell in love when I saw pictures of your desk. I'm wondering if you could let me know where you got it, please.

Thanks.

[Jason Dunn]

However, I fell in love when I saw pictures of your desk. I'm wondering if you could let me know where you got it, please.

It's an IKEA desk I bought about eight years ago. They've since discontinued it - I'm not sure if they've replaced it with anything else.

[ehollins]

I made a trip to IKEA today and I got the GALANT desk. The tops seem to be very similar to the desktops in your pictures, but the legs are different. Instead of the four legs in those pictures, the desk that I have has legs that are the shape of an inverted 'T' which makes it much less likely to swivel around in my chair and knock my knees on the legs. The GALANT system seems to be very flexible and extendable. I just bought one piece today but when I expand my home office, I'll definitely be using the same stuff.

[Jason Dunn]

I made a trip to IKEA today and I got the GALANT desk. The tops seem to be very similar to the desktops in your pictures, but the legs are different.

Cool! Good to hear that IKEA has something similar to the product they discontinued...though I sometimes wish I could buy another short piece for my desk, but can't now. :rolleyes: