Would a wood sealant work for this?(pics)

Question

Well after doing some math, new carpet or even stick on flooring would be out of budget. We are looking to do something for max $500...and thats pushing it.

Our carpet is so disgusting though its almost unlivable. (we are renting, but carpet won't be replaced unless we get rid of our animals even though its been here since the 70's, which I just found out) Thats almost 40 year old carpet! Yuk!

So I'm thinking it would almost be better to just live on the wood under the carpet, but it looks iffy. What do you think I could put over this so that we could walk on it? Mop it etc?

http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=floor1ja9.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=floor2ot1.jpg

Thanks!

Answer 1

Remove the carpet, thoroughly clean the floor, and paint it with an epoxy type paint.  

Answer 2

That isn't wood.  It's chip board (and has other names) but very porous, very soft, very uneven.  You'll likely face having to replace the stuff if you use it as the flooring for very long.

Answer 3

your floor is technically particle board, they never put flooring planks over it. you can put sealant on it but i would recommend something more like a varnish. it will make it look like you wanted the floor to look like that plus it will give it a nice sheen and reduce the risk of splinters. particle board is just a bunch of wood chips compressed together using high heat and pressure. it is very common to get splinters and you wouldn't want your animals to get hurt on the floor either. i would recommend a varnish over a sealant. it also takes longer to deal with sealant. i had to do this for a client and their floor looks great and funky now( i'm an interior designer )