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Discussion Forum

Kitchen Flooring

moski | Posted in General Discussion on October 15, 2002 03:08am

We are trying to decide what to use for our kitchen floor (new construction in New England) — hardwood?  tile?  What do you folks suggest and why?  Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions. 

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  1. jet | Oct 15, 2002 07:51am | #1

    Anything but tile. IMHO if you drop a glass or such on to the tile there is no second chance.  Wood is best with a high quality crystal or like finish.

    1. HammerHarry | Oct 15, 2002 03:14pm | #2

      I asked the same question here within the last couple of weeks.  Responses I got have lead me to tile.  Yes, if you drop a glass on a tile floor, it will break.  But if you drop a knife, or have kids, your hardwood floor won't last.  I don't know what kind of glassware you use, but I figure replacing the odd glass is cheaper than a new floor every 5 years.  If you search the site, you will probably find the previous thread.  I was as much concerned about comfort on the feet as anything.

      1. Piffin | Oct 15, 2002 03:35pm | #3

        You're really not supposed to be dropping stuff on the floor. That's the last consideration for choosing, IMO. Pick what you like to look at and walk on.

        We've got ceramic tile because it wears and cleans up good. Stands up to pets, kids, and spills. But as we get older, we wonder if it's getting harder on the feet..

        Excellence is its own reward!

  2. stonefever | Oct 16, 2002 12:37am | #4

    I notice the upscale houses in the Parade of Homes and such are making a lot of use of Travertine. 

    A soft stone like limestone or marble, not too different in makeup.  But with much much more life or motion in the stone.  It's more of a flat finish and has holes throughout.  The stone can be ordered with these holes filled (with grout) or unfilled.  The filled grout is usually quite close to the stone's background color. 

    It gives a more casual feel as opposed to the shiny polished marble.  It also needs much less maintenance.  Other than the sealing following installation and the occasional washing with mild soap and water, you may need to touch up with grout a few small holes that can appear after several years.  Recall I mentioned the holes throughout.  Sometimes a bubble lies just below the surface and is broken open by some unusual weight in that location.  But because these type holes are commonly only about 1/8th inch in dia, it's not a big issue until that big party you've got planned.

    Watch your material closely.  Sometimes specks of black are found.  The more black specks, the less desirable the stone.  If you wish to save some $ and use black appliances, maybe this is good.  Shop the stone.  It may be available at the flooring store, but it is also available at the masonry supply yard.  Otherwise, inspect your shipment before the "no returns" point kicks in.

    Plan your installation well.  Since the stones are all the same, yet everyone different, the lay of the pattern becomes important.  Laying the field on a diagonal with half cuts making up a linear border looks nice.  The stone comes in 12", 16", 18", and 24" squares.  Size your selection based upon the size of your room.  For a kitchen/dining area of 12 x 24, the 16" looks great.

    Make sure your installer has experience with travertine and/or marble.  Be sure your subfloor system can provide the stability necessary for either a stone or tile application.  Depending on the installation, your installer could use several methods of laying the stone.  Some would use thinset, others a mix of thinset and crumbly mortar.  The crumbly mortar can help fill in some low spots.

    Don't cheat your installer.  This floor will knock out your guests for some time.  You want it to look good.  A poor installation because the guy felt shortchanged will last a very, very long time.  Because the stone has that flat finish and doesn't need that "perfectly level and even with the neighbor" fit that marble calls for (because of the mirror reflection of a window or door over several contiguous pieces), some people are more likely to rush the job.  Although muted, one can still see somewhat of that window or door reflection.  Furthermore, uneven pieces stick out.  You'll keep getting your eye drawn to those imperfections.

    There's some nice tile out there, no question.  But I haven't seen a nicer floor for the kitchen than travertine.  Or living room.  Or family room.  Just keep the glasses on the counter where they belong.  On the other hand, sweeping up a broken glass is quite easy with a dust mop.

    Did I mention that you'll never see dog claw scratches with this as opposed to hardwood floors?

    1. andybuildz | Oct 16, 2002 04:57pm | #6

      stone,

              I am considering using travertine in the 322 year old home I will start renovating in a couple of weeks. Thinking about using it in the kitchen. The house has soooooooo much wood in it and I've always installed wood floors in all my past kitchens that I just wanted a change. I want a sort of stone look to fit the house. I installed 18" white limestone in the entry of the house I just sold. I'd NEVER use it again, especially in an entry. Was my wifes idea (does that get me off the hook?...lol) I sealed it big time with really good and expensive sealer but the stuff is so pourous that it was always filthy looking. I was wondering if thats the same deal with travertine. Any other ideas in the realm of a stone look? Dont say slate because my wife hates that. I know some wise azz like Piff or Mongo are going to say use a Pergo floor but besides that...lol.

      Thanks

               Namaste'

                              Andy

      It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

      Edited 10/16/2002 9:59:52 AM ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)

      1. stonefever | Oct 17, 2002 05:50am | #12

        Andy,

        The porousity of travertine is no where near what we see in limestone.  Your sealer would do just fine.  I find the yellowish creamy color of the stone goes nice with stained trim - especially oak.  There are some travertines that are more darker - muddy brown and such.  A mix of colors could help a pattern, although the other colors I've seen don't have the "motion" of the creamy type.

        Another stone that could work would be tumbled marble.  The finish has been honed down plus the tumbling, thereby giving an old look.  I believe you may be limited in the size of the stones, though.  6" may be tops.

        Unc,

        The black specks appear to be some form of carbon contaminate during the stone's formation.  It has no apparent effect upon its function.  Along the same line, other contaminants can also creep in.  I've seen rust spots from iron, pieces of white quartz the size of tennis balls, as well as fossils.  Some of these ingredients are desirable, others not so.  Accordingly, I believe it's best to get your materials from a place where there is some inventory to inspect.

    2. UncleDunc | Oct 16, 2002 10:28pm | #8

      Do the black specks indicate some problem with the way the stone does its job, or is it just an esthetic difference. If it holds up OK and costs less because it's less desirable, I could become remarkably fond of black specks.

  3. User avater
    Mongo | Oct 16, 2002 07:28am | #5

    Personal preferences?

    I prefer tile in bathrooms and entry areas...foyers and mudrooms.

    In the kitchen I want warmth and forgiveness underfoot. Hardwood or cork. They both look great and perform well.

    In my own kitchen I have brazilian cherry. In the main work area, between the sink and the island cooktop, I have a 4' by 6' rug which takes whatever abuse is dished out. If I had to move tomorrow I'd design and build the next kitchen the same as this one.

  4. User avater
    CloudHidden | Oct 16, 2002 06:36pm | #7

    It's not an isolated decision necessarily. You might need to consider the context of the rest of the house, the walls, the cabinets, the countertops, because you want it to look and feel proper with all of them, too. Is it an open kitchen that flows into other rooms, or is it closed off by walls and doors? Does the room have a lot of light, so that wood floors wouldn't darken it, or is it plain and dark so that color would help? Is it a high or low traffic area? Kids? Pets? Is it by an outside door so that it sees muddy or wet boots?

    1. moski | Oct 17, 2002 03:13pm | #17

      It is an open floor plan -- adding to the complexity of the choice... the kitchen is in a U shape.  The dining area, on one side and the living room on the other will be hard wood.  The cabinetry will be a natural maple.  There is ample light though little of it will be direct on the floor.  Thanks

      1. DanMetzcus | Oct 17, 2002 03:46pm | #18

        I am with Mongo on the choice of cork and wish I had been familiar with this medium before choosing wide plank wood. How about stainless steel?

        Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right

        1. arichteacher | Oct 17, 2002 04:39pm | #20

          Are you sure your not in my house with my wife??  This sounds a lot like my kitchen.  We have clear maple cabinets and Red Oak 4 inch planks in the attched family room.  On the floor we used the most indestructable tile (as far as I'm concerned) Granite.  Now you've got to like to the look becasue it's not casual by any means but it will outlast the kitchen.  We clean it with hot water with a little white vinegar or a touch or bleach in the summer and polish it with a dry towel.  Just like you would towel off your car so you don't get spots.  What everyone likes about this is that our floor matches the countertops and the backsplash.  My only suggestion.  A radiant floor.  I didn't do it but as soon as a little extra cash is available I'm doing a staple up becasue once this fllor gets cold ot stays cold.

          Since doing my floor 5 years ago I have done several others just like fine for friends and family and they all love it. 

          Just finished my mom's kitchen for her.  Used porcelin that looks just like tumbled marble.  Nobody can tell that it's not real stone.  Used a light beige with maple cabinets, Verde Butterfly countertops and the same tiles only in 4x4 on the back splash.  It looks fantastic and has more of that casual feeling if that's what you're lloking for.  Home Depot $1.98 square foot!!!!!!!  Bargin of the century.  Compared to granite. $8-20 square.

          Hope this helps.

          Ant.

          1. User avater
            SYSOP | Oct 17, 2002 05:27pm | #21

            For those of you that are interested the next issue of Kitchen and Baths is running a large article on Kitchen flooring chices and we will be featuring it on our website sometime late next week. I will post a link to it when it goes live. It really is a good article with lots of sources for any and all materials covered in the article.MarkSYSOP[email protected]

  5. ChipTam | Oct 16, 2002 10:46pm | #9

    I've never liked tile in a kitchen:  hard on the feet, grout lines which are difficult to keep clean, and slipery when wet.  Wood looks and feels nice but can scratch even with modern finishes.  Personally, I like some of the newer, high-end vinyl products on the market.  Ten years ago, we used three complimentary patterns of Armstrong vinyl ( the type with color through and through ) to create a field color, border, and interior pattern for our kitchen floor.  It's worn well and has the look of old-fashioned linolium.  Another alternative would be to use real linolium.  A neighbor of mine has done so it looks very nice.

    1. MrsReese | Oct 17, 2002 02:05am | #10

      I second the vote for sheet goods. I have 13" Italian tile in my kitchen, and I don't like it. Grout is gross. I put special anti-fatigue mats between the sink and cooktop, covered with a jute rug. That makes it tolerable.

      The new commercial linoleum is really good looking. If you drop a knife on it, just consider it fashionably distressed. I bet a kid with a crayon or marker could make a nasty stain. I was told by an Armstrong rep that all linoleum is made in Germany of real cork and linseed oil. She said it's not as environmentally correct as it seems, because the manufacturing process is so toxic it was outlawed in the US. Could be a load of bull.

      There are some commercial sheet floorings that are really neat and durable as all get out. Mannington makes a textured product that's specially designed for operating rooms that is wonderful. Very pretty and natural looking, like a sandy beach. That's what I'd put in my kitchen if I could afford it. It would cost more than wood or tile or natural stone. But it is so stain resistant it will blow your mind. I colored on a sample with a Sharpie marker and was able to completely remove the mark with acetone without affecting the finish.

      I intensely dislike cheap residential vinyl, but the high end product is entirely different -- durable, resilient, beautiful, easy to clean, and costs like it. You get what you pay for.

      1. kusterer | Oct 17, 2002 02:23am | #11

        Thank you for taking a view that is unfashionable now, for no good reason that I can see. IMO, Amtico high-end vinyl is as good a kitchen and bath floor as there is. In 1952, my parents put solid vinyl tile (then so new their floor was featured in a magazine)in their kitchen, light colored yet. My mother still lives there today, 2 kids, 5 grandkids, and a dozen dogs later, and it still looks almost new. Plus its the easiest possible to keep clean, moisture has no effect at all, and its comfortable too. Now that good vinyl is textured and colored all through, I can't figure out why moisture-vulnerable laminate flooring has taken its market.

    2. PhillGiles | Oct 17, 2002 05:57am | #13

      We had an Armstrong floor in the last house and put ceramics into this one: if I had it to do over again, I'd go with a top-of-the-line vinyl floor in the kitchen.

      As for lasting, dropping those heavy lead-crytal hi-ball glasses on a tile floor occassionally break a tile too, as will my pro-grade pans: I'm just about out of spare tiles after 13 years, so I may have to replace the floor anyway..

      Phill Giles

      The Unionville Woodwright

      Unionville, Ontario

      1. bake | Oct 17, 2002 07:45am | #14

        Kinda supprised nobody has voted for cork. I sure like mine

        Edited 10/17/2002 12:45:52 AM ET by bake

        1. User avater
          Mongo | Oct 17, 2002 08:02am | #15

          http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=23989.6

          1. andybuildz | Oct 17, 2002 02:24pm | #16

            Hey Mong man.whats that link all about? Ring a round the rosey?? LOL

            BE well

                    Namaste

                                andyIt's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

          2. User avater
            Mongo | Oct 17, 2002 04:27pm | #19

            You think if we loop this thread enough we can lock up the server?<g>

            T'was just a reference to cork.

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