Goomba wrote:
> I've mentioned here that we're updating/improving our kitchen. We've
> ordered the cabinets and granite, and just purchased the new range
> (the top rated gas model listed in Consumer's Reports recently) and
> over the range microwave oven/hood. I'm looking for a bottom freezer
> refrigerator but we can live with the old one until I find the
> perfect appliance at the best price. Lighting changes and flooring
> are still undecided.
> I'd love to hear input from folks who have tile as to how they love or
> hate it? I currently have vinyl, but have had heated tile in the
> past. I was younger then so might have been less aware of problems,
> but am concerned with the "hardness" of the floor for comfort? I am
> getting older now (sob!) and don't want to find tile floors are
> ergodynamically poor choices down the road after standing in the
> kitchen for extended periods. I recall my mother explaining how good
> dance floors are wood and impact absorbing properties over hard
> cement floors that are more jarring to your body. Yet wood floors
> aren't too practical in kitchens, are they?? I'm also interested in
> linoleum as I keep reading that it might be fairly "green" as well as
> good cost.
> The floor choice would need to be practical for the kitchen, breakfast
> room, mud room, laundry room and guest bathroom. The rest of the
> downstairs is hardwood.
>
> Thanks for any input
> Goomba

I don't have any recommendations, just personal observations. We have tile
in our kitchen and we bought a whole box of extras. The problem for us
isn't matching broken tiles, but matching the grout. Grout colors are
discontinuted after several years and even if you are able to get the
correct grout, the batch color may be different than what you have
installed. I don't find the tile any more hard to stand on than anything
else and it is extremely easy to clean. It doesn't show wear.

A friend had a hardwood floor installed in her kitchen (I can't remember for
sure, maybe 7-8 years ago). I know that they had the hard duty finish
applied to it. In the spots where she usually stands to prep food, there is
an ugly grey worn spot. This isn't water spillage, it is simply worn
through the finish. The spot began to be noticeable about 18 months ago and
now it can't be missed.
Janet