Kitchen: hardwood floors vs. tile

[Weez]

I want something nice in the kitchen, I love the look of hardwood floors. Tile and hardwood are roughly the same price. Although with tile, I could just get vinyl and at some later date rip it out and put in tile myself.

But I'm wondering which is easier to care for? I imagine you have to wax and polish the wood periodically. But what about sensetivity to damage? I would think that you could more easily gouge the wood. But tiles will break, and wood will not.

Also I can't decide if I should extend this flooring into the dining room, or just have carpet in there.

Anybody have experience with wood vs. tile?

[Kornnut]

I helped the rents put in hard wood floors about 4 years ago. Its not a bad job(even though I shattered my thumb in the process ). We used the stuff you see in lowes in the packs. Looks really good.

[Kornnut]

One thing
Whenever we list a house if it has hardwood floors we put it in the flyer we make up. Helps resale.

[Weez]

If I got hardwood I'd probably have them install it when the house is built, and stain/varnish it the same as the cabinets.

[Ford96GT]

My wife and I are thinking the same thing. If you are thinking rustic, go with wood. The more it gets banged up, the better it is. But if you are looking at maple, oak, etc. with a nice finish, that is a tougher decision. I understand water drops can be a PITA on a wood floor. Plus food, the occasional dropped knife.... Although tile is tough to stand on for a while(cooking talking,etc.). Our kitchen is like a 'U', with the fridge on one side, then the stove, the sink at the bottom of the 'U' and an island on the other side. We are thinking of filling in the 'U' with tile and then using hardwood in the rest of the kitchen going into the dining room.

If you have a good subfloor and use good mortor and grout, the tile will last a long time. We have it in our entry and bathrooms and have had no problems. Helped a friend put tile in his kitchen, and they also have no problems.

[vrtical]

I have oak floors, just have to be careful on dropping things on it. I have and I gringe everytime. Its fun when you clean it slippery as hell. I have put down both wood and tile, its not that bad if you take the time.

[skootz]

Do the hardwood for sure. Ceramic tile is nice, but the wood looks much better. Hardwood floors are pretty durable. My parents entire 1st floor is hardwood and looks as good now as it did when it was finished. It's taken as much abuse as any tile could handle without a problem. Even the crazy dog has yet to scratch the floor. No matter what though, if you decide wood is not for you get ceramic tile, not linolium(sp?)

[Weez]

I would imagine that tile is colder on the feet in the winter than wood?

[skootz]

Yes, but they're both a bit chilly

[Weez]

Originally posted by skootz
No matter what though, if you decide wood is not for you get ceramic tile, not linolium(sp?)

I could get linolium now for very cheap, then at some later date when I have the time/money replace it w/ tile.

[Kornnut]

Originally posted by Weez
I could get linolium now for very cheap, then at some later date when I have the time/money replace it w/ tile.

Then really you are doing it twice. Do it right the first time.

[skootz]

Also are you talking about real hard wood or the laminate flooring variety?

[skootz]

Originally posted by Kornnut
Then really you are doing it twice. Do it right the first time.

[Weez]

Originally posted by Kornnut
Then really you are doing it twice. Do it right the first time.

That's true, but I may have to do a couple of things like that to keep my bank note under a certain dollar amount.

[Weez]

Originally posted by skootz
Also are you talking about real hard wood or the laminate flooring variety?

The real deal, that they have to stain and varnish. They said it would be ~$1500 for the kitchen and dining room.

Edit: 100 posts! Yay!

[Kornnut]

Originally posted by Weez
That's true, but I may have to do a couple of things like that to keep my bank note under a certain dollar amount.

Understandable (ever notice thats a long word)

[skootz]

Cool, that's actually dirt cheap. What kind of sq ft are we talking here?

[Bad99GT]

I just bought over 1900 sq ft of laminate flooring to go in my new house. It won't dent, scratch, or stain like real hardwood will and it looks just as good or better IMO. Lowe's was having a sale and I got it for 98 cents per sq. ft. Then you have to buy the pad that goes under it for about 17 cents sq. ft. Michigan Cherry was the color I went with. I'll try to get some pics of it if you like.

[skootz]

Originally posted by Bad99GT
I just bought over 1900 sq ft of laminate flooring to go in my new house. It won't dent, scratch, or stain like real hardwood will and it looks just as good or better IMO. Lowe's was having a sale and I got it for 98 cents per sq. ft. Then you have to buy the pad that goes under it for about 17 cents sq. ft. Michigan Cherry was the color I went with. I'll try to get some pics of it if you like.

That's what I just did too. Got it from menard's the color is called berkley oak. About 800 sq ft though. It looks good and is a hell of a lot cheaper, but you can't beat the real deal.

[03trubluGT]

All this talk and no one has heard from Starkie....


Rich installs flooring for a living. PM him.

Matt