I have been blessed with the opportunity to build a room for nothing but trains over the garage. The contractor will do anything I want, so I am looking for suggestions as to wiring, lighting, flooring, insulation or anything else that I should include in the plan so that all I need to worry about is the layout. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
There are several previous threads here about electrical and lighting. I'll post a link when I come across them.
There aren't as many regarding flooring. My personal choice is carpet tile which I found sold in boxes of random pieces for less than a dollar per square foot.
Carpet Tile by Edmund, on Flickr
It is easy to put down and trim around obstructions. In my case I could lift the leg of the layout benchwork and slide a piece of tile under the leg. If a piece gets damaged simply lift it out and replace it.
For me it was an ideal choice and I did the whole layout area for a couple hundred dollars.
It is still being sold for about the same price I paid in 2016:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMaster-Versatile-Assorted-Residential-Commercial-24-in-x-24-Peel-and-Stick-Carpet-Tile-10-Tiles-Case-40-sq-ft-NCVT002/204594243
There are certainly other suppliers or if you want a matched look there are solid patterns available at a higher cost.
Here's a thread on lighting:
https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/286677.aspx
I favor a suspended ceiling using Genesis lay-in ceiling panels and a combination of recessed can spot lights with track lighting in most areas. For general room lighting I use lay-in troffer flat panel LEDs. These can be turned off so that only the dimmable spot lights and track lighting is used for 'running sessions'.
Regards, Ed
Whatever floor you put down, put some old carpet or a drop cloth over the floor while you work on the layout. Paint, plaster, heavy things falling, and scraping will damage a floor and be both expensive and a hassle to repair.
I currently have a cement basement floor covered by old carpet remnants from when I re-carpeted part of my house decades ago. My plan is to roll up the carpet and throw it away once the layout is "done" which may be never ;) In the mean time, I don't worry about splashes or glue drips or paint...
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Irrespective of layout rooms, I like the ceramic products that come in the shape of wide floor boards. I prefer the ones that are shades of gray over ones that look like wood, but that's just my aesthetic sensibility. I like things to look like what they are.
I currently have hickory laminate (engineered) wood floors throughout the main level of my home. Hickory is a very hard hardwood, and it has worn well with teenagers and dogs. I think it looks nice too. I ended up with Hickory even though I ordered oak. The flooring store called me back and said they had a truck load of hickory that a customer ordered but didn't pay for. They hadn't placed my order for oak with the distributor yet and offered me a deal to switch my order to hickory. I looked at samples, OKed the deal, and have not regretted it.
https://nscale4by8.github.io/nscale4x8/
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Lots of insulation. Its a train room and there will be a mess so I like a basic floor. Lighting, I like track lighting as I can change it around and mix tempatures off your LED bulbs and intencity, like needing a 100 watt equivilent over a 60 watt one in a corner or needing to change something as the plan changed. All you need for electric is an outlet. If you want to spend money you can use smart bulbs even but I use standard LED one and out here anyway they run $1 or less. As far as wiring, lots of outlets, some like a master switch.
rrebellAs far as wiring, lots of outlets, some like a master switch.
I'll second this.
While you have the chance with open walls, put in more outlets than you think you will ever need. Have several circuits.
If you leave it up to a builder, they will put the outlets about 12 feet apart (code). I think you will be happier to have them half that distance.
You may also want several outlets in the ceiling. You never know if you will need to use a tool that you don't want the cord being dragged across the layout from a wall outlet.
York1 John
I installed a plastic-based laminate flooring for my basement train room. It's very tough, doesn't mold if it gets damp, and doesnt swell or discolor if it gets water on it.
It's also pretty easy to install, and not overly expensive.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
For lighting, you can never have enough!
For flooring, I too had cement painted over. To update the room a bit, bought interlocking gym mat flooring. It is very durable, quiet, and won't do damage to my legs and back when older. I
York1 rrebell As far as wiring, lots of outlets, some like a master switch. I'll second this. While you have the chance with open walls, put in more outlets than you think you will ever need. Have several circuits. If you leave it up to a builder, they will put the outlets about 12 feet apart (code). I think you will be happier to have them half that distance. You may also want several outlets in the ceiling. You never know if you will need to use a tool that you don't want the cord being dragged across the layout from a wall outlet.
rrebell As far as wiring, lots of outlets, some like a master switch.
I would also suggest going with 20 amp circuits instead of 15. You never know what the future might bring.
Thank you, appreciate the link and the information
Thank you
Even though I live in a temperate maritime climate, I’m a big fan of insulation, underfloor, in the walls and most importantly, ceiling. Cheers, the Bear.
gmpullman There are several previous threads here about electrical and lighting. I'll post a link when I come across them. There aren't as many regarding flooring. My personal choice is carpet tile which I found sold in boxes of random pieces for less than a dollar per square foot. Carpet Tile by Edmund, on Flickr It is easy to put down and trim around obstructions. In my case I could lift the leg of the layout benchwork and slide a piece of tile under the leg. If a piece gets damaged simply lift it out and replace it. For me it was an ideal choice and I did the whole layout area for a couple hundred dollars. Carpet Tile by Edmund, on Flickr It is still being sold for about the same price I paid in 2016: https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMaster-Versatile-Assorted-Residential-Commercial-24-in-x-24-Peel-and-Stick-Carpet-Tile-10-Tiles-Case-40-sq-ft-NCVT002/204594243 There are certainly other suppliers or if you want a matched look there are solid patterns available at a higher cost. Here's a thread on lighting: https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/286677.aspx I favor a suspended ceiling using Genesis lay-in ceiling panels and a combination of recessed can spot lights with track lighting in most areas. For general room lighting I use lay-in troffer flat panel LEDs. These can be turned off so that only the dimmable spot lights and track lighting is used for 'running sessions'. Regards, Ed
NScale4x8 Whatever floor you put down, put some old carpet or a drop cloth over the floor while you work on the layout. Paint, plaster, heavy things falling, and scraping will damage a floor and be both expensive and a hassle to repair. I currently have a cement basement floor covered by old carpet remnants from when I re-carpeted part of my house decades ago. My plan is to roll up the carpet and throw it away once the layout is "done" which may be never ;) In the mean time, I don't worry about splashes or glue drips or paint... ------------- Irrespective of layout rooms, I like the ceramic products that come in the shape of wide floor boards. I prefer the ones hat are shades of gray over ones that look like wood, but that's just my aesthetic sensibility. I like things to look like what they are. I currently have hickory laminate (engineered) wood floors throughout the main level of my home. Hickory is a very hard hardwood, and it has worn well with teenagers and dogs. I think it looks nice too. I ended up with Hickory even though I ordered oak. The flooring store called me back and said they had a truck load of hickory that a customer ordered but didn't pay for. They hadn't placed my order for oak with the distributor yet and offered me a deal to switch my order to hickory. I looked at samples, OKed the deal, and have not regretted it.
Irrespective of layout rooms, I like the ceramic products that come in the shape of wide floor boards. I prefer the ones hat are shades of gray over ones that look like wood, but that's just my aesthetic sensibility. I like things to look like what they are.
rrebell Lots of insulation. Its a train room and there will be a mess so I like a basic floor. Lighting, I like track lighting as I can change it around and mix tempatures off your LED bulbs and intencity, like needing a 100 watt equivilent over a 60 watt one in a corner or needing to change something as the plan changed. All you need for electric is an outlet. If you want to spend money you can use smart bulbs even but I use standard LED one and out here anyway they run $1 or less. As far as wiring, lots of outlets, some like a master switch.
Lost in A2 York1 rrebell As far as wiring, lots of outlets, some like a master switch. I'll second this. While you have the chance with open walls, put in more outlets than you think you will ever need. Have several circuits. If you leave it up to a builder, they will put the outlets about 12 feet apart (code). I think you will be happier to have them half that distance. You may also want several outlets in the ceiling. You never know if you will need to use a tool that you don't want the cord being dragged across the layout from a wall outlet. I would also suggest going with 20 amp circuits instead of 15. You never know what the future might bring.
I hope you can take some photos during construction and let us see how things are going.
Speaking for myself, I love seeing photos much more than wordy descriptions. I think most of the forum members would love to see the progress on the room, and when the time comes, your new layout!
Have fun!