cynupstateny
Well-known member
Looking for suggestions, please. I have carpeting...never again. I'd like something that doesn't scratch easily and looks good. Money is an issue- don't want "cheap" but no really expensive tile either.
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NFRC: Finally got DH to agree to a new floor in the kitchen. Now I have to decide what I want.
- Thread starter cynupstateny
- Start date
marsha-tbay
Well-known member
We put in ceramic tile throughout the house witin the last 2 years...I love it. We wanted it as
it is easy to clean and always looks nice. If we ever have rising water here our floors will be ok.
one thing we did learn, we did not get 'cheap tile' (but not real expensive either). Our neighbors got cheap tile and it ended up chipping on them everytime the tile went through the tile cutter. That caused them to need more tile. Ours never did that, as we paid more for our tile.
Wood floors are popular with the rest of our family. I just don't care for that look in my house and I don't care for the 'hollow' sound I hear in their house.
Also, with the summer tropical heat here, it's nice to walk on a cold floor. smileys/smile.gif
Have fun shopping and choosing!!!
it is easy to clean and always looks nice. If we ever have rising water here our floors will be ok.
one thing we did learn, we did not get 'cheap tile' (but not real expensive either). Our neighbors got cheap tile and it ended up chipping on them everytime the tile went through the tile cutter. That caused them to need more tile. Ours never did that, as we paid more for our tile.
Wood floors are popular with the rest of our family. I just don't care for that look in my house and I don't care for the 'hollow' sound I hear in their house.
Also, with the summer tropical heat here, it's nice to walk on a cold floor. smileys/smile.gif
Have fun shopping and choosing!!!
There are so many beautiful tiles now. We remodeled our laundry room
and I chose tile. I got one with rough edges and nicks. Love it. I have dropped cans on it from my laundry room pantry and it never chips. I mop it with white vinegar and warm water and that's it. The grout is so narrow, we had it set as close as possible. When I redo our bathrooms, they are going to be tile. I prefer wood floors in my kitchen. They are so beautiful.
and I chose tile. I got one with rough edges and nicks. Love it. I have dropped cans on it from my laundry room pantry and it never chips. I mop it with white vinegar and warm water and that's it. The grout is so narrow, we had it set as close as possible. When I redo our bathrooms, they are going to be tile. I prefer wood floors in my kitchen. They are so beautiful.
Depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen...
you may want to consider how hard tile will be on your feet & legs. Wood is easier on the feet. Another option would be cork, or even industrial rubber flooring.
I believe Earnie TN had the rubber flooring in her last kitchen.
I'd opt for either wood, cork or rubber, since I tend to be in the kitchen for long periods, and am a klutz and drop stuff, so I would not want to be cleaning up glass or ceramic shards from a tile floor.
you may want to consider how hard tile will be on your feet & legs. Wood is easier on the feet. Another option would be cork, or even industrial rubber flooring.
I believe Earnie TN had the rubber flooring in her last kitchen.
I'd opt for either wood, cork or rubber, since I tend to be in the kitchen for long periods, and am a klutz and drop stuff, so I would not want to be cleaning up glass or ceramic shards from a tile floor.
I wanted to respond to Marsha's comment about the hollow sound with wood floors....
laminate flooring creates a loud “hollow” sound with foot traffic It is my understanding that they are floated, a term used by the builders, over the existing base. I have real wood floors in my kitchen. Each strip of wood is glued down on a sold base, thus foot traffic does not create the hollow sound. Wood flooring may not be good for active families unless you go with a rough and tumble look or even bamboo which is very durable.
laminate flooring creates a loud “hollow” sound with foot traffic It is my understanding that they are floated, a term used by the builders, over the existing base. I have real wood floors in my kitchen. Each strip of wood is glued down on a sold base, thus foot traffic does not create the hollow sound. Wood flooring may not be good for active families unless you go with a rough and tumble look or even bamboo which is very durable.
music-city-missy
Well-known member
We have oak but I have installed cork on projects also.....
Our wood has not held up the best. All the little drips of water here and there seemed to take it's toll so I am not sure I would do it again though DH loves it and thinks it's the only way to go.
As for cork - I LOVED it when it went down. It was a historic renovation and originall had cork that had been replaced. This was some top dollar stuff that was supposed to be advanced and hold up great - just like hardwood floors the architect assured the client. Well, I went back a couple of years later to show DH because I wanted to consider putting it in when we do some renovations. It looked HORRIBLE! It was scarred and looked terribly dirty where it was scratched and scarred from wear. I was completely destroyed because I had loved the look when it was put down. I am not sure what the answer to it is but it isn't something I would put down unless someone shows me a solution that keeps it looking good for more than two years.
Our wood has not held up the best. All the little drips of water here and there seemed to take it's toll so I am not sure I would do it again though DH loves it and thinks it's the only way to go.
As for cork - I LOVED it when it went down. It was a historic renovation and originall had cork that had been replaced. This was some top dollar stuff that was supposed to be advanced and hold up great - just like hardwood floors the architect assured the client. Well, I went back a couple of years later to show DH because I wanted to consider putting it in when we do some renovations. It looked HORRIBLE! It was scarred and looked terribly dirty where it was scratched and scarred from wear. I was completely destroyed because I had loved the look when it was put down. I am not sure what the answer to it is but it isn't something I would put down unless someone shows me a solution that keeps it looking good for more than two years.
We just installed a new kitchen floor, halfway, hopefully the other part tomorrow...
I did have a kitchen carpet and would never want again. I was leaning toward tile, but we found a laminate floor that looks like stone, called tuscan. The pattern was somewhat difficult but worth the time it took. This has a 30 year warranty.
I did have a kitchen carpet and would never want again. I was leaning toward tile, but we found a laminate floor that looks like stone, called tuscan. The pattern was somewhat difficult but worth the time it took. This has a 30 year warranty.
We had Marmoleum in London -
We had it in the bathrooms,and I always wished we could have had it in the kitchen - Armstrong also makes this type of flooring, you can have it with an inlaid design or plain- we had it plain and it was great, everything wiped up easily and no scuffs or scratches -
In the kitchen we had tiles and they were so hard and cold, very hard to stand on.
At work we had the non-slip tiles that had little raised bits, and they were great to stand on, but horrible to clean!
We had it in the bathrooms,and I always wished we could have had it in the kitchen - Armstrong also makes this type of flooring, you can have it with an inlaid design or plain- we had it plain and it was great, everything wiped up easily and no scuffs or scratches -
In the kitchen we had tiles and they were so hard and cold, very hard to stand on.
At work we had the non-slip tiles that had little raised bits, and they were great to stand on, but horrible to clean!
Agree with you totally Lisa, We have a 3 yr old home and I had tile put in throughout before we
moved in because I thought it would look beautiful and easy to keep clean. It is beautiful but it's hard on our bodies. My feet hurt all the time. If anything drops, forget about it, it smashes into a million pieces. I had wood floors before moving here and now realize I made a huge mistake. The tile is pretty, but never again! (we just had our tile cleaned, the grout was becoming dingy looking. It is easy to maintain, but there are drawbacks we hadn't thought of.)
moved in because I thought it would look beautiful and easy to keep clean. It is beautiful but it's hard on our bodies. My feet hurt all the time. If anything drops, forget about it, it smashes into a million pieces. I had wood floors before moving here and now realize I made a huge mistake. The tile is pretty, but never again! (we just had our tile cleaned, the grout was becoming dingy looking. It is easy to maintain, but there are drawbacks we hadn't thought of.)
marsha-tbay
Well-known member
My feet and legs never hurt on tile, must be the shoes I wear smileys/smile.gif
music-city-missy
Well-known member
Could you send me more info on them because I do love the look....
I would love to see some pix and know what brand they were. How long have you had them down?
Honestly, I love it but was destroyed after seeing those that were two years old - I've rarely seen a floor look worse no matter what the materials.
mlinkinhokerATcomcastDOTnet
I would love to see some pix and know what brand they were. How long have you had them down?
Honestly, I love it but was destroyed after seeing those that were two years old - I've rarely seen a floor look worse no matter what the materials.
mlinkinhokerATcomcastDOTnet
I agree, too. This is about all that was available in the Caribbean and just 'looks' right there,
but anything works here. I'd never do it again. I used to spend big days working in the kitchen to prepare meals for guests and evenutally had to buy supportive shoes because of the ceramic tiles.
And my knees got sore from scrubbing the grout.
I hear from friends that cork is very comfortable and durable.
Most floors in this part of the world now seem to be returning to hardwood...oak, bamboo...
but anything works here. I'd never do it again. I used to spend big days working in the kitchen to prepare meals for guests and evenutally had to buy supportive shoes because of the ceramic tiles.
And my knees got sore from scrubbing the grout.
I hear from friends that cork is very comfortable and durable.
Most floors in this part of the world now seem to be returning to hardwood...oak, bamboo...
alas, i fergot, but...
it's solid cork, no laminates, in 1-foot squares. 3/16" thick (but i'd go with 1/4 if i could do better (softer and i think it would lay flatter)).
they supplied a water-based latex and i wasn't enamored of it, but it doesn't bother me now.
it's a bit over 5 years old and we use the great room a LOT.
it's solid cork, no laminates, in 1-foot squares. 3/16" thick (but i'd go with 1/4 if i could do better (softer and i think it would lay flatter)).
they supplied a water-based latex and i wasn't enamored of it, but it doesn't bother me now.
it's a bit over 5 years old and we use the great room a LOT.
Cork...it is a great look........we used cork in the yacht we built and lived on for 15 years al....
though we used it on the sides and deckhead we treated it as we did the floor boards. The floor boards are the typical inlaid yacht flooring and to keep it looking good we used a clear finish (that we could get in S.A. called Glatex smileys/bigeyes.gif We painted this same finish over the cork giving a few coats and then an extra one....and even though things have been splashed and thrown against the cork, all the general wear and tear this has stood up so well it looks as if new. We inlaid the table, a round one, with a compass rose in several woods too and finished this off with the same glatex 8 and to this day it is in superb nick! (the flooring had to be sanded and finished a few times.) Every now and then I would give cork and wood a wipe with a furniture oil ( a Mobile product not found this side of the world so started substituting with teak oil and this workes well.
So in the house I have decided to use cork again on the walls in the utility room and library. This cork is from America and is a courser type of square than that used on the yacht. I finished it with a similar product as used on the yacht and it has come up quite nicely but not, I feel, quite as servicable as the first one.
I think that if you use cork on the floor you must be sure to use a thick tile and also a close (tight) cork that is smooth to the feel. Then use a marine (yacht) varnish...this should be sprayed on and I am sure it will last well as long as furniture with a nail sticking proud of the foot is not scrapped along the floor.
We have slate tiles through-out the house. Shipped them in from Africa. I find light coloured tiles need cleaning often and these are not light but full of Autumn tones. Easy to keep clean and not hard on the legs. After the initial treament I now use mop and glow to keep them shiney. With Turkish rugs in the stratigic places I am very happy with the result of slate.
Good luck with your choice.
though we used it on the sides and deckhead we treated it as we did the floor boards. The floor boards are the typical inlaid yacht flooring and to keep it looking good we used a clear finish (that we could get in S.A. called Glatex smileys/bigeyes.gif We painted this same finish over the cork giving a few coats and then an extra one....and even though things have been splashed and thrown against the cork, all the general wear and tear this has stood up so well it looks as if new. We inlaid the table, a round one, with a compass rose in several woods too and finished this off with the same glatex 8 and to this day it is in superb nick! (the flooring had to be sanded and finished a few times.) Every now and then I would give cork and wood a wipe with a furniture oil ( a Mobile product not found this side of the world so started substituting with teak oil and this workes well.
So in the house I have decided to use cork again on the walls in the utility room and library. This cork is from America and is a courser type of square than that used on the yacht. I finished it with a similar product as used on the yacht and it has come up quite nicely but not, I feel, quite as servicable as the first one.
I think that if you use cork on the floor you must be sure to use a thick tile and also a close (tight) cork that is smooth to the feel. Then use a marine (yacht) varnish...this should be sprayed on and I am sure it will last well as long as furniture with a nail sticking proud of the foot is not scrapped along the floor.
We have slate tiles through-out the house. Shipped them in from Africa. I find light coloured tiles need cleaning often and these are not light but full of Autumn tones. Easy to keep clean and not hard on the legs. After the initial treament I now use mop and glow to keep them shiney. With Turkish rugs in the stratigic places I am very happy with the result of slate.
Good luck with your choice.
Oh, yes...I have to say we are mostly bare-foot maybe (we have just toughened up
but I can't remember what it is like to have any other kind of flooring in the kitchen other than tiles.....you've got me thinking???? I believe we have had tiles in the various houses ever since the early 50's 'cept for one house that had those rubber type tiles, which were sort of spongy to walk on but got so bad after 2 years we relaid with ceramic tiles....yes, things do break tooo easily when dropped.....TRY not to drop anything...
And the grout is not so hard to clean these days if they are treated first with something. With our slate we used a cement type grout and painted the whole thing with whatever French product was suggested (darn expensive, but it works...no white grout for us, THAT would be impossible to clean!)
but I can't remember what it is like to have any other kind of flooring in the kitchen other than tiles.....you've got me thinking???? I believe we have had tiles in the various houses ever since the early 50's 'cept for one house that had those rubber type tiles, which were sort of spongy to walk on but got so bad after 2 years we relaid with ceramic tiles....yes, things do break tooo easily when dropped.....TRY not to drop anything...
And the grout is not so hard to clean these days if they are treated first with something. With our slate we used a cement type grout and painted the whole thing with whatever French product was suggested (darn expensive, but it works...no white grout for us, THAT would be impossible to clean!)
We put in a Brazilian Cherry floor- I absolutely LOVE it in the kitchen
Cherry is very hard and the satin finish we put on it is holding up very, very well after almost four years of hard wear. Everyone in Hawaii goes barefoot inside their homes so tile is not all that common in homes with real "working" kitchens (I mean people who actually USE their kitchens to cook in.) Too hard on the feet.
Our floor is solid wood so there is no noise whatsoever associated with it. I highly recommend a wood floor.
Cherry is very hard and the satin finish we put on it is holding up very, very well after almost four years of hard wear. Everyone in Hawaii goes barefoot inside their homes so tile is not all that common in homes with real "working" kitchens (I mean people who actually USE their kitchens to cook in.) Too hard on the feet.
Our floor is solid wood so there is no noise whatsoever associated with it. I highly recommend a wood floor.
steve2-in-la
Well-known member
WARNING: If you have cats, don't put down cork floors. They become 1 BIG scratching post!