Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!

--
Jean B.

On Nov 9, 8:32*am, "Jean B." > wrote:
> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. *Before we move in, I am
> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
> wall-to-wall carpet). *Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
> flooring in the kitchen. *Thanks!

I like sheet vinyl in the kitchen. No seams. Easy on the feet.
Forgiving if you drop stuff. Comes in many styles.

Cindy Hamilton

Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>
> I like sheet vinyl in the kitchen. No seams. Easy on the feet.
> Forgiving if you drop stuff. Comes in many styles.

It also comes in 12" and 18" squares for easy replacement, theoretically.
Remember to buy an extra 12-20 sheets now rather than trying to find the
same pattern 2-15 years later. Dropped knives will put a gash in linoleum
(unless you you're using Ginsu or similar).

-sw

On Nov 9, 3:06*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> > On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
> >> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. *Before we move in, I am
> >> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
> >> wall-to-wall carpet). *Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
> >> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
> >> flooring in the kitchen. *Thanks!
>
> > I like sheet vinyl in the kitchen. *No seams. *Easy on the feet.
> > Forgiving if you drop stuff. *Comes in many styles.
>
> It also comes in 12" and 18" squares for easy replacement, theoretically.

That gives you a boatload of seams for crud to collect in. No, thank
you.

> Remember to buy an extra 12-20 sheets now rather than trying to find the
> same pattern 2-15 years later. *Dropped knives will put a gash in linoleum
> (unless you you're using Ginsu or similar).

Huh. I've never had that happen. Maybe a little nick that is nearly
self-healing, but I don't throw my kitchen knives with any force.

If you do go with vinyl tile (which is, in fact, what I have now
courtesy
of the house's previous owner), I endorse getting extra.

Even with sheet vinyl, if you keep a little, it can be patched if
something
truly horrendous happens to your floor. Of course, you might not get
a match with any sort of patch if the floor has yellowed, as sometimes
happens with any surface (even paint).

Cindy Hamilton

Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On Nov 9, 3:06 pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
>> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>> On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>>>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>>>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>>>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>>>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>>>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>>> I like sheet vinyl in the kitchen. No seams. Easy on the feet.
>>> Forgiving if you drop stuff. Comes in many styles.
>> It also comes in 12" and 18" squares for easy replacement, theoretically.
>
> That gives you a boatload of seams for crud to collect in. No, thank
> you.
>
>> Remember to buy an extra 12-20 sheets now rather than trying to find the
>> same pattern 2-15 years later. Dropped knives will put a gash in linoleum
>> (unless you you're using Ginsu or similar).
>
> Huh. I've never had that happen. Maybe a little nick that is nearly
> self-healing, but I don't throw my kitchen knives with any force.
>
> If you do go with vinyl tile (which is, in fact, what I have now
> courtesy
> of the house's previous owner), I endorse getting extra.
>
> Even with sheet vinyl, if you keep a little, it can be patched if
> something
> truly horrendous happens to your floor. Of course, you might not get
> a match with any sort of patch if the floor has yellowed, as sometimes
> happens with any surface (even paint).
>
> Cindy Hamilton

That's an interesting consideration. Thanks!

--
Jean B.

On Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:07:53 -0600, Sqwertz >
wrote:

>On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:32:39 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
>> On Nov 9, 3:06*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
>>
>
>>> Remember to buy an extra 12-20 sheets now rather than trying to find the
>>> same pattern 2-15 years later. *Dropped knives will put a gash in linoleum
>>> (unless you you're using Ginsu or similar).
>>
>> Huh. I've never had that happen. Maybe a little nick that is nearly
>> self-healing, but I don't throw my kitchen knives with any force.
>
>You probably have lousy, lightweight, and dull knives.
>
It's never happened to me either and I probably have better knives
than you do. It's called not being a klutz in the kitchen.


--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Nov 11, 10:07*am, Sqwertz > wrote:
> On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:32:39 -0800 (PST), Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> > On Nov 9, 3:06*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
>
> >>> I like sheet vinyl in the kitchen. *No seams. *Easy on the feet.
> >>> Forgiving if you drop stuff. *Comes in many styles.
>
> >> It also comes in 12" and 18" squares for easy replacement, theoretically.
>
> > That gives you a boatload of seams for crud to collect in. *No, thank
> > you.
>
> No, It doesn't. *They fit together perfectly flush.

Tell that to the asshat who laid my floor. Granted, I shouldn't
assume that his level of incompetence will be universal.

Nope, nothing with seams in my kitchen. No laminate, hardwood,
or tile (of any kind). I'm saving up to remodel, or I'd have laid
sheet vinyl already.

> >> Remember to buy an extra 12-20 sheets now rather than trying to find the
> >> same pattern 2-15 years later. *Dropped knives will put a gash in linoleum
> >> (unless you you're using Ginsu or similar).
>
> > Huh. *I've never had that happen. *Maybe a little nick that is nearly
> > self-healing, but I don't throw my kitchen knives with any force.
>
> You probably have lousy, lightweight, and dull knives.

Nope. Good, heavy, and sharp. When I drop one, I just step backward
briskly so that it doesn't end up going through my foot. Not that I
drop
them that frequently. The most common incident is that someone bumps
my magnetic knife rack and knocks one down. They usually land on the
Formica countertop.

Cindy Hamilton

Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>
> I like sheet vinyl in the kitchen. No seams. Easy on the feet.
> Forgiving if you drop stuff. Comes in many styles.
>
> Cindy Hamilton

Thank you. I am going to do a list of all answers, do some
searching, etc. I hope the outcome is pleasing.

--
Jean B.

On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:13:04 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

>Thank you. I am going to do a list of all answers, do some
>searching, etc. I hope the outcome is pleasing.

It's a crap shoot, Jean B. Use your best judgment based on your needs
and hope for the best. If you're not a house flipper or move every
few years, you really won't know if it suits you until you try it.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:13:04 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>> Thank you. I am going to do a list of all answers, do some
>> searching, etc. I hope the outcome is pleasing.
>
> It's a crap shoot, Jean B. Use your best judgment based on your needs
> and hope for the best. If you're not a house flipper or move every
> few years, you really won't know if it suits you until you try it.
>
No, I'm not a house flipper. That being said, though, this house
is a compromise, since my daughter will still be living with me.
My ideal house would be more rural, so if I have an iota of energy
left, I will move again after she leaves.

--
Jean B.

Jean B. wrote:
> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or wall-to-wall
> carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but I'd like to see the
> conclusions that folks have come to about flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>
I tried to find my posts about this topic in the archives but can't.
I remodeled my entire kitchen about 18 months ago. My entire downstairs
is hardwood, yet I didn't want it in kitchen because of not wanting to
worry about babying it from moisture in the kitchen. I knew I didn't
want to stand for long periods on cold, hard ceramic tile, and wasn't
impressed with the sheet vinyl patterns I saw (boring!). Consumer's
Reports did an entire issue on remodeling products and one of their top
rated vinyl tiles was Congoleum's Durastone 16 inch square tiles. We
settled on a tile that at first made me nervous because it was a tad
dark-but had wonderful colorations in it. It looks like real stone, its
amazing. The installation requires mastic on the floor, just like real
tiles. I think it looks great!! Here is one corner, but I don't know
that the computer image does it justice.

http://i37.tinypic.com/9pxtok.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/f8036.jpg

> rated vinyl tiles was Congoleum's Durastone 16 inch square tiles. We
> settled on a tile that at first made me nervous because it was a tad
> dark-but had wonderful colorations in it. It looks like real stone, its
> amazing. The installation requires mastic on the floor, just like real
> tiles. I think it looks great!! Here is one corner, but I don't know
> that the computer image does it justice.
>
> http://i37.tinypic.com/9pxtok.jpghtt....com/f8036.jpg


I have a product called Duraceramic on my foyer floor - and I had it
installed without grouting - much the best way to get it installed,
because you don't have to worry about grout lines or keeping them
clean. They put a sealer all over it after installation, which will
be good for life. It wasn't cheap, though.

N.

On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:17:15 -0500, Goomba >
wrote:

>http://i37.tinypic.com/9pxtok.jpg
>http://i34.tinypic.com/f8036.jpg

That's a great choice, I love the stone look. Is it resilient too?
We didn't go with any sort of tile in the kitchen because I hate
grout.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:17:15 -0500, Goomba >
> wrote:
>
>> http://i37.tinypic.com/9pxtok.jpg
>> http://i34.tinypic.com/f8036.jpg
>
> That's a great choice, I love the stone look. Is it resilient too?
> We didn't go with any sort of tile in the kitchen because I hate
> grout.
>
The grout in this tile is fake. It is part of the tile design with faux
grout lines on two sides so that when they go to lay the tile down it is
bordered on all sides by grout lines. It looks very, very real. Many
guests come and mistake it for real tile.

It has been very resilient so far.

On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:52:00 -0500, Goomba >
wrote:

>sf wrote:
>> On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:17:15 -0500, Goomba >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> http://i37.tinypic.com/9pxtok.jpg
>>> http://i34.tinypic.com/f8036.jpg
>>
>> That's a great choice, I love the stone look. Is it resilient too?
>> We didn't go with any sort of tile in the kitchen because I hate
>> grout.
>>
>The grout in this tile is fake. It is part of the tile design with faux
>grout lines on two sides so that when they go to lay the tile down it is
>bordered on all sides by grout lines. It looks very, very real. Many
>guests come and mistake it for real tile.
>
>It has been very resilient so far.

I have 12X12 tile that looks very similar but without the faux grout.
The high traffic area is just starting to show stress at a few of the
joints after 12 years. Everything else looks as it did when it was
new. IIRC it was like a buck a foot.

Lou

Goomba wrote:
> Jean B. wrote:
>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or wall-to-wall
>> carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but I'd like to see the
>> conclusions that folks have come to about flooring in the kitchen.
>> Thanks!
>>
> I tried to find my posts about this topic in the archives but can't.
> I remodeled my entire kitchen about 18 months ago. My entire downstairs
> is hardwood, yet I didn't want it in kitchen because of not wanting to
> worry about babying it from moisture in the kitchen. I knew I didn't
> want to stand for long periods on cold, hard ceramic tile, and wasn't
> impressed with the sheet vinyl patterns I saw (boring!). Consumer's
> Reports did an entire issue on remodeling products and one of their top
> rated vinyl tiles was Congoleum's Durastone 16 inch square tiles. We
> settled on a tile that at first made me nervous because it was a tad
> dark-but had wonderful colorations in it. It looks like real stone, its
> amazing. The installation requires mastic on the floor, just like real
> tiles. I think it looks great!! Here is one corner, but I don't know
> that the computer image does it justice.
>
> http://i37.tinypic.com/9pxtok.jpg
> http://i34.tinypic.com/f8036.jpg

Nice look there, Goomba. Right now I have linoleum that looks
kind-of like flagstone. I don't dislike it. The irregular
coloration seems to have pros and cons as far as showing dirt goes!

--
Jean B.

On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:15:09 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

> The irregular
>coloration seems to have pros and cons as far as showing dirt goes!

It's a HUGE plus if you don't like upkeep (like wiping up water spots
too). Please keep that in mind.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:15:09 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>> The irregular
>> coloration seems to have pros and cons as far as showing dirt goes!
>
> It's a HUGE plus if you don't like upkeep (like wiping up water spots
> too). Please keep that in mind.
>
Heh! Well, I did learn that lesson with my black cooktop, etc.

--
Jean B.

On Nov 9, 8:32*am, "Jean B." > wrote:
> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. *Before we move in, I am
> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
> wall-to-wall carpet). *Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
> flooring in the kitchen. *Thanks!
>
> --
> Jean B.

Whatever you do, don't put in any sort of carpeting. We bought a
place once with indoor-outdoor in the kitchen - dark brown - I can't
imagine how filthy it must've been. It got replaced, pronto.

I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. Pick a light
color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. I
could do mine daily!! I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash.

Kalmia wrote:

> I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. Pick a light
> color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. I
> could do mine daily!! I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash.

<confused> why is a pattern harder to wash?

On Nov 9, 11:32*am, Goomba > wrote:
> Kalmia wrote:
> > I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. *Pick a light
> > color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. *I
> > could do mine daily!! *I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash..
>
> <confused> why is a pattern harder to wash?

I meant - get a tile which is as flat as possible. I had one once
with a slight pattern in relief - caught every little bit of grime.

Kalmia wrote:
> On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>>
>> --
>> Jean B.
>
> Whatever you do, don't put in any sort of carpeting. We bought a
> place once with indoor-outdoor in the kitchen - dark brown - I can't
> imagine how filthy it must've been. It got replaced, pronto.
>
> I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. Pick a light
> color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. I
> could do mine daily!! I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash.



Our remodeler strongly recommends "Prism" polyurethane grout.
He says no stain, no mold, no color change.

His warning to the installer: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY".

glloria p

gloria.p wrote:

> Our remodeler strongly recommends "Prism" polyurethane grout.
> He says no stain, no mold, no color change.
>
> His warning to the installer: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY".

Thank you! I'm planning a mini-remodel of my bathroom prompted
mostly by my miserable grout. I'll save this info.

nancy

Kalmia wrote:
> On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>>
>> --
>> Jean B.
>
> Whatever you do, don't put in any sort of carpeting. We bought a
> place once with indoor-outdoor in the kitchen - dark brown - I can't
> imagine how filthy it must've been. It got replaced, pronto.
>
> I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. Pick a light
> color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. I
> could do mine daily!! I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash.

I see there was later discussion of grout.

I have read enough about carpeting to make sure that it is all
taken out of this house and replaced by something else. If I have
any rugs in the kitchen, they will be small, and wasily washed!

--
Jean B.

"Jean B." wrote:
>
> Kalmia wrote:
> > On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
> >> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
> >> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
> >> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
> >> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
> >> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
> >>
> >> --
> >> Jean B.
> >
> > Whatever you do, don't put in any sort of carpeting. We bought a
> > place once with indoor-outdoor in the kitchen - dark brown - I can't
> > imagine how filthy it must've been. It got replaced, pronto.
> >
> > I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. Pick a light
> > color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. I
> > could do mine daily!! I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash.
>
> I see there was later discussion of grout.
>
> I have read enough about carpeting to make sure that it is all
> taken out of this house and replaced by something else. If I have
> any rugs in the kitchen, they will be small, and wasily washed!
>
> --
> Jean B.

I'm not sure what you have against carpeting, a good portion of my house
is carpet and I like it. Cleaning is quite easy with a $30 day rental of
a carpet machine from 'Depot or similar sufficient to do the whole
house. The dining room and kitchen are ceramic tile and I like that as
well.

Pete C. wrote:
> "Jean B." wrote:
>> Kalmia wrote:
>>> On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>>>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>>>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>>>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>>>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>>>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Jean B.
>>> Whatever you do, don't put in any sort of carpeting. We bought a
>>> place once with indoor-outdoor in the kitchen - dark brown - I can't
>>> imagine how filthy it must've been. It got replaced, pronto.
>>>
>>> I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. Pick a light
>>> color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. I
>>> could do mine daily!! I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash.
>> I see there was later discussion of grout.
>>
>> I have read enough about carpeting to make sure that it is all
>> taken out of this house and replaced by something else. If I have
>> any rugs in the kitchen, they will be small, and wasily washed!
>>
>> --
>> Jean B.
>
> I'm not sure what you have against carpeting, a good portion of my house
> is carpet and I like it. Cleaning is quite easy with a $30 day rental of
> a carpet machine from 'Depot or similar sufficient to do the whole
> house. The dining room and kitchen are ceramic tile and I like that as
> well.

Carpeting can harbor all sorts of bad things. I also don't like
the idea of just covering up the current plywood with it.

--
Jean B.

On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:16:22 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

>Kalmia wrote:
>> On Nov 9, 8:32 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jean B.
>>
>> Whatever you do, don't put in any sort of carpeting. We bought a
>> place once with indoor-outdoor in the kitchen - dark brown - I can't
>> imagine how filthy it must've been. It got replaced, pronto.
>>
>> I like tile, altho the grout can get dark and nasty. Pick a light
>> color tile and you'll then see how often you need to wash it - ha. I
>> could do mine daily!! I don't like a pattern either - harder to wash.
>
>I see there was later discussion of grout.
>
>I have read enough about carpeting to make sure that it is all
>taken out of this house and replaced by something else. If I have
>any rugs in the kitchen, they will be small, and wasily washed!

I think rugs make any place in the house (kitchens included) look
nice... and their place in the kitchen can be quite functional too.


--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
> I think rugs make any place in the house (kitchens included) look
> nice... and their place in the kitchen can be quite functional too.
>
>

I can see this will be an ongoing process, just as getting a yard
to one's liking is.

--
Jean B.

On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:14:51 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

>sf wrote:
>> I think rugs make any place in the house (kitchens included) look
>> nice... and their place in the kitchen can be quite functional too.
>>
>>
>
>I can see this will be an ongoing process, just as getting a yard
>to one's liking is.

Just to clarify, I wasn't talking about wall to wall carpeting... I
meant area rugs.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:32:06 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

>Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!

I love hardwood flooring, real hardwood, not that fake Pergo laminate
crap. Except for my main bathroom every floor in my house is
hardwood. All the bedrooms, living room, hallways, even inside all
closets were white oak when I moved in. My kitchen, dining area, and
laundry room floors were covered with awful green vinyl tiles... had
Brazilian cherry installed over all that, I love it... looks terrific
and is super easy to care for. You never wash hardwood floors, and
with the new finishes there is no reason to ever wax a hardwood
floor... once a week a quick vacuuming and an easy peasy once over
with the Bonakemi hardwood floor care system:
http://www.mybonahome.com/Home.aspx

I had hard tiles installed in my last kitchen, never realized how much
I'd grow to hate it; was cold, noisy, hard on the feet, was difficult
to keep the grout clean, and tile scratches easily.

Make certain to have a professional hardwood flooring installer do the
job... there are too many "handimen" out there who haven't the
knowlege or proper equipment... definitely not a DIY project:
http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/

Real hardwood flooring is forever so it costs less than all other
types of flooring... it can be refinished, and given a whole new look
with various treatments; stains, pickling, and bleaching. Hardwood
flooring costs less to install, does away with the need to install a
new sub floor, it covers all blemishes that would be enhanced with
vinyl... being a full 3/4" thick it goes directly over old vinyl and
less than perfect sub flooring.

No other flooring looks as rich and generates the warmth af real
hardwood flooring (figuratively and literally - an excellent
insulator/sound proofing). There are many types and grades of
hardwood and various ways it's sawn so it behooves one to educate
themself before running out to buy.

Hallway:
http://i35.tinypic.com/14vs768.jpg

Livingroom:
http://i38.tinypic.com/2z5vdl4.jpg

Goodbye ugli vinyl:
http://i37.tinypic.com/25zgua8.jpg

Be sure to remove all moldings, cut into door jambs, and floor inside
all closets:
http://i34.tinypic.com/16lyd0w.jpg

Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg

Any questions feel free.

brooklyn1 wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:32:06 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>
> I love hardwood flooring, real hardwood, not that fake Pergo laminate
> crap. Except for my main bathroom every floor in my house is
> hardwood. All the bedrooms, living room, hallways, even inside all
> closets were white oak when I moved in. My kitchen, dining area, and
> laundry room floors were covered with awful green vinyl tiles... had
> Brazilian cherry installed over all that, I love it... looks terrific
> and is super easy to care for. You never wash hardwood floors, and
> with the new finishes there is no reason to ever wax a hardwood
> floor... once a week a quick vacuuming and an easy peasy once over
> with the Bonakemi hardwood floor care system:
> http://www.mybonahome.com/Home.aspx
>
> I had hard tiles installed in my last kitchen, never realized how much
> I'd grow to hate it; was cold, noisy, hard on the feet, was difficult
> to keep the grout clean, and tile scratches easily.
>
> Make certain to have a professional hardwood flooring installer do the
> job... there are too many "handimen" out there who haven't the
> knowlege or proper equipment... definitely not a DIY project:
> http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/
>
> Real hardwood flooring is forever so it costs less than all other
> types of flooring... it can be refinished, and given a whole new look
> with various treatments; stains, pickling, and bleaching. Hardwood
> flooring costs less to install, does away with the need to install a
> new sub floor, it covers all blemishes that would be enhanced with
> vinyl... being a full 3/4" thick it goes directly over old vinyl and
> less than perfect sub flooring.
>
> No other flooring looks as rich and generates the warmth af real
> hardwood flooring (figuratively and literally - an excellent
> insulator/sound proofing). There are many types and grades of
> hardwood and various ways it's sawn so it behooves one to educate
> themself before running out to buy.
>
> Hallway:
> http://i35.tinypic.com/14vs768.jpg
>
> Livingroom:
> http://i38.tinypic.com/2z5vdl4.jpg
>
> Goodbye ugli vinyl:
> http://i37.tinypic.com/25zgua8.jpg
>
> Be sure to remove all moldings, cut into door jambs, and floor inside
> all closets:
> http://i34.tinypic.com/16lyd0w.jpg
>
> Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
> http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
> http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg
>
> Any questions feel free.
>
Thanks for those links, which I will examine more carefully
tomorrow. I will be putting in hardwood for most of the flooring
and am just unsure about the kitchen and bathrooms. Your kitchen
floor does look splendid though, so maybe!

My agent suggested engineered hardwood--actually they sound like
the prefinished floors on the NWFA site. I need to look into that.

I am about out of time for the night but will continue perusing
suggestions--and looking more carefully at the links, which I
thank you for, Sheldon. Thanks, too, for the tips!

--
Jean B.

"Jean B." wrote:
>
> brooklyn1 wrote:
> > On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:32:06 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
> >
> >> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
> >> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
> >> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
> >> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
> >> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
> >
> > I love hardwood flooring, real hardwood, not that fake Pergo laminate
> > crap. Except for my main bathroom every floor in my house is
> > hardwood. All the bedrooms, living room, hallways, even inside all
> > closets were white oak when I moved in. My kitchen, dining area, and
> > laundry room floors were covered with awful green vinyl tiles... had
> > Brazilian cherry installed over all that, I love it... looks terrific
> > and is super easy to care for. You never wash hardwood floors, and
> > with the new finishes there is no reason to ever wax a hardwood
> > floor... once a week a quick vacuuming and an easy peasy once over
> > with the Bonakemi hardwood floor care system:
> > http://www.mybonahome.com/Home.aspx
> >
> > I had hard tiles installed in my last kitchen, never realized how much
> > I'd grow to hate it; was cold, noisy, hard on the feet, was difficult
> > to keep the grout clean, and tile scratches easily.
> >
> > Make certain to have a professional hardwood flooring installer do the
> > job... there are too many "handimen" out there who haven't the
> > knowlege or proper equipment... definitely not a DIY project:
> > http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/
> >
> > Real hardwood flooring is forever so it costs less than all other
> > types of flooring... it can be refinished, and given a whole new look
> > with various treatments; stains, pickling, and bleaching. Hardwood
> > flooring costs less to install, does away with the need to install a
> > new sub floor, it covers all blemishes that would be enhanced with
> > vinyl... being a full 3/4" thick it goes directly over old vinyl and
> > less than perfect sub flooring.
> >
> > No other flooring looks as rich and generates the warmth af real
> > hardwood flooring (figuratively and literally - an excellent
> > insulator/sound proofing). There are many types and grades of
> > hardwood and various ways it's sawn so it behooves one to educate
> > themself before running out to buy.
> >
> > Hallway:
> > http://i35.tinypic.com/14vs768.jpg
> >
> > Livingroom:
> > http://i38.tinypic.com/2z5vdl4.jpg
> >
> > Goodbye ugli vinyl:
> > http://i37.tinypic.com/25zgua8.jpg
> >
> > Be sure to remove all moldings, cut into door jambs, and floor inside
> > all closets:
> > http://i34.tinypic.com/16lyd0w.jpg
> >
> > Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
> > http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
> > http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg
> >
> > Any questions feel free.
> >
> Thanks for those links, which I will examine more carefully
> tomorrow. I will be putting in hardwood for most of the flooring
> and am just unsure about the kitchen and bathrooms. Your kitchen
> floor does look splendid though, so maybe!
>
> My agent suggested engineered hardwood--actually they sound like
> the prefinished floors on the NWFA site. I need to look into that.
>
> I am about out of time for the night but will continue perusing
> suggestions--and looking more carefully at the links, which I
> thank you for, Sheldon. Thanks, too, for the tips!
>
> --
> Jean B.

Be sure to investigate and understand the differences between engineered
hardwood flooring, and factory finished full dimensional 3/4" hardwood
flooring. Both are factory finished and install quickly, and both look
similar from the surface, however they are very different products.

Pete C. wrote:
> "Jean B." wrote:
>> brooklyn1 wrote:
>>> On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:32:06 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>>>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>>>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>>>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>>>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>>> I love hardwood flooring, real hardwood, not that fake Pergo laminate
>>> crap. Except for my main bathroom every floor in my house is
>>> hardwood. All the bedrooms, living room, hallways, even inside all
>>> closets were white oak when I moved in. My kitchen, dining area, and
>>> laundry room floors were covered with awful green vinyl tiles... had
>>> Brazilian cherry installed over all that, I love it... looks terrific
>>> and is super easy to care for. You never wash hardwood floors, and
>>> with the new finishes there is no reason to ever wax a hardwood
>>> floor... once a week a quick vacuuming and an easy peasy once over
>>> with the Bonakemi hardwood floor care system:
>>> http://www.mybonahome.com/Home.aspx
>>>
>>> I had hard tiles installed in my last kitchen, never realized how much
>>> I'd grow to hate it; was cold, noisy, hard on the feet, was difficult
>>> to keep the grout clean, and tile scratches easily.
>>>
>>> Make certain to have a professional hardwood flooring installer do the
>>> job... there are too many "handimen" out there who haven't the
>>> knowlege or proper equipment... definitely not a DIY project:
>>> http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/
>>>
>>> Real hardwood flooring is forever so it costs less than all other
>>> types of flooring... it can be refinished, and given a whole new look
>>> with various treatments; stains, pickling, and bleaching. Hardwood
>>> flooring costs less to install, does away with the need to install a
>>> new sub floor, it covers all blemishes that would be enhanced with
>>> vinyl... being a full 3/4" thick it goes directly over old vinyl and
>>> less than perfect sub flooring.
>>>
>>> No other flooring looks as rich and generates the warmth af real
>>> hardwood flooring (figuratively and literally - an excellent
>>> insulator/sound proofing). There are many types and grades of
>>> hardwood and various ways it's sawn so it behooves one to educate
>>> themself before running out to buy.
>>>
>>> Hallway:
>>> http://i35.tinypic.com/14vs768.jpg
>>>
>>> Livingroom:
>>> http://i38.tinypic.com/2z5vdl4.jpg
>>>
>>> Goodbye ugli vinyl:
>>> http://i37.tinypic.com/25zgua8.jpg
>>>
>>> Be sure to remove all moldings, cut into door jambs, and floor inside
>>> all closets:
>>> http://i34.tinypic.com/16lyd0w.jpg
>>>
>>> Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
>>> http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
>>> http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg
>>>
>>> Any questions feel free.
>>>
>> Thanks for those links, which I will examine more carefully
>> tomorrow. I will be putting in hardwood for most of the flooring
>> and am just unsure about the kitchen and bathrooms. Your kitchen
>> floor does look splendid though, so maybe!
>>
>> My agent suggested engineered hardwood--actually they sound like
>> the prefinished floors on the NWFA site. I need to look into that.
>>
>> I am about out of time for the night but will continue perusing
>> suggestions--and looking more carefully at the links, which I
>> thank you for, Sheldon. Thanks, too, for the tips!
>>
>> --
>> Jean B.
>
> Be sure to investigate and understand the differences between engineered
> hardwood flooring, and factory finished full dimensional 3/4" hardwood
> flooring. Both are factory finished and install quickly, and both look
> similar from the surface, however they are very different products.

Yes, thanks to you, I now have a clearer picture. I wonder
whether my broker misspoke? Since he is also a building
contractor, I would have thought not. I want solid hardwood
flooring, not layered flooring.

--
Jean B.

On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:09:46 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

>Pete C. wrote:
>> "Jean B." wrote:
>>> brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>> On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:32:06 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>>>>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>>>>> wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>>>>> I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>>>>> flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!
>>>> I love hardwood flooring, real hardwood, not that fake Pergo laminate
>>>> crap. Except for my main bathroom every floor in my house is
>>>> hardwood. All the bedrooms, living room, hallways, even inside all
>>>> closets were white oak when I moved in. My kitchen, dining area, and
>>>> laundry room floors were covered with awful green vinyl tiles... had
>>>> Brazilian cherry installed over all that, I love it... looks terrific
>>>> and is super easy to care for. You never wash hardwood floors, and
>>>> with the new finishes there is no reason to ever wax a hardwood
>>>> floor... once a week a quick vacuuming and an easy peasy once over
>>>> with the Bonakemi hardwood floor care system:
>>>> http://www.mybonahome.com/Home.aspx
>>>>
>>>> I had hard tiles installed in my last kitchen, never realized how much
>>>> I'd grow to hate it; was cold, noisy, hard on the feet, was difficult
>>>> to keep the grout clean, and tile scratches easily.
>>>>
>>>> Make certain to have a professional hardwood flooring installer do the
>>>> job... there are too many "handimen" out there who haven't the
>>>> knowlege or proper equipment... definitely not a DIY project:
>>>> http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/
>>>>
>>>> Real hardwood flooring is forever so it costs less than all other
>>>> types of flooring... it can be refinished, and given a whole new look
>>>> with various treatments; stains, pickling, and bleaching. Hardwood
>>>> flooring costs less to install, does away with the need to install a
>>>> new sub floor, it covers all blemishes that would be enhanced with
>>>> vinyl... being a full 3/4" thick it goes directly over old vinyl and
>>>> less than perfect sub flooring.
>>>>
>>>> No other flooring looks as rich and generates the warmth af real
>>>> hardwood flooring (figuratively and literally - an excellent
>>>> insulator/sound proofing). There are many types and grades of
>>>> hardwood and various ways it's sawn so it behooves one to educate
>>>> themself before running out to buy.
>>>>
>>>> Hallway:
>>>> http://i35.tinypic.com/14vs768.jpg
>>>>
>>>> Livingroom:
>>>> http://i38.tinypic.com/2z5vdl4.jpg
>>>>
>>>> Goodbye ugli vinyl:
>>>> http://i37.tinypic.com/25zgua8.jpg
>>>>
>>>> Be sure to remove all moldings, cut into door jambs, and floor inside
>>>> all closets:
>>>> http://i34.tinypic.com/16lyd0w.jpg
>>>>
>>>> Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
>>>> http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
>>>> http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg
>>>>
>>>> Any questions feel free.
>>>>
>>> Thanks for those links, which I will examine more carefully
>>> tomorrow. I will be putting in hardwood for most of the flooring
>>> and am just unsure about the kitchen and bathrooms. Your kitchen
>>> floor does look splendid though, so maybe!
>>>
>>> My agent suggested engineered hardwood--actually they sound like
>>> the prefinished floors on the NWFA site. I need to look into that.
>>>
>>> I am about out of time for the night but will continue perusing
>>> suggestions--and looking more carefully at the links, which I
>>> thank you for, Sheldon. Thanks, too, for the tips!
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jean B.
>>
>> Be sure to investigate and understand the differences between engineered
>> hardwood flooring, and factory finished full dimensional 3/4" hardwood
>> flooring. Both are factory finished and install quickly, and both look
>> similar from the surface, however they are very different products.
>
>Yes, thanks to you, I now have a clearer picture. I wonder
>whether my broker misspoke? Since he is also a building
>contractor, I would have thought not. I want solid hardwood
>flooring, not layered flooring.

There's no point in continuing to talk about something without a cite:
http://homerenovations.about.com/od/...ngineerflr.htm

What's termed "engineered hardwood flooring' is in fact plywood with a
relatively thin hardwood veneer finish face... it's solid wood (like
plywood is solid wood) but it's not solid hardwood. I wouldn't
recommend EHF, it's difficult to install over subflooring without
adding a second sub floor crosswise... it's prefinished, which
presents another problem with uneven subflooring, the prefinish will
need to be sanded off in order to produce an even floor and then
refinished. And EHF can only be refinished a couple of times, the
veneer laminate is too thin. No matter how you slice the cake nothing
comes close to real T & G solid hardwood flooring, I'd not consider
anything but the real deal... and only real hardwood flooring ends up
looking like real hardwood flooring, everything else looks fake
because it is fake. EHF and laminate actually depreciates the value
of a home, it's a major and expensive overhaul to remove. I recommend
either get real hardwood flooring or choose a completely different
flooring material like vinyl/ceramic tiles, roll flooring, or
carpeting.

Choosing flooring is like choosing your furniture and any other items
one lives with on a constant basis... if you're a slob, not into
housekeeping, then fine wood flooring, fine wood furniture is not for
you. Laminate flooring is for folks who are best served by furniture
from IKEA... beat it to hell for less than five years, throw it away
and buy new.

brooklyn1 wrote:

> Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
> http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
> http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg
>
> Any questions feel free.


Nice! Is that Jilly on the counter in the first pic...???

^..^

--
Best
Greg

On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:05:24 -0600, "Gregory Morrow"
> wrote:

>brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>> Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
>> http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
>> http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg
>>
>> Any questions feel free.
>
>
>Nice! Is that Jilly on the counter in the first pic...???
>
>^..^

That's Mooch.

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or wall-to-wall
> carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but I'd like to see the
> conclusions that folks have come to about flooring in the kitchen.
> Thanks!

I thought my glazed quarry tile was the most gorgeous floor ever, despite
the occasional loss of china and glassware. But when we moved house I put in
Pergo and was delighted with it. It comes in great colors, and is easier on
the feet and the breakables.

Felice

Felice wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote in message
> ...
>> Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>> replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or wall-to-wall
>> carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but I'd like to see the
>> conclusions that folks have come to about flooring in the kitchen.
>> Thanks!
>
> I thought my glazed quarry tile was the most gorgeous floor ever, despite
> the occasional loss of china and glassware. But when we moved house I put in
> Pergo and was delighted with it. It comes in great colors, and is easier on
> the feet and the breakables.


When we bought this house, we had laminate wood floors installed in
every room... including baths, utility room, closets and kitchen.....
2000+ sq feet and it sure wasn't cheap. The newer laminates are great
looking, have a wear life that will outlive me and are very easy to
maintain. With the humid weather here in the south, I just didn't want
wall-to-wall carpeting.

Laminates aren't usually recommended for any "wet" areas like bathrooms,
but we don't have any children so spills and constant dampness haven't
been a problem. I have to admit that I had reservations about doing
this, but after almost 3 years, the floors look just as good as they did
they day they were installed.

That said, I wish we had put a tile floor in the kitchen. For some
reason, I'm just not used to a wood floor there. It looks great... but
doesn't "feel" right.... probably because all the cabinets are wood
grained. My wife disagrees with me.... she loves it.

George L

George Leppla wrote:

>
> That said, I wish we had put a tile floor in the kitchen. For some
> reason, I'm just not used to a wood floor there. It looks great... but
> doesn't "feel" right.... probably because all the cabinets are wood
> grained. My wife disagrees with me.... she loves it.
>



Then it was the right choice, of course. ;-)

gloria p

On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:34:51 -0700, "gloria.p" >
wrote:

>George Leppla wrote:
>
>>
>> That said, I wish we had put a tile floor in the kitchen. For some
>> reason, I'm just not used to a wood floor there. It looks great... but
>> doesn't "feel" right.... probably because all the cabinets are wood
>> grained. My wife disagrees with me.... she loves it.
>
>Then it was the right choice, of course. ;-)

Of course it's the right choice. All my kitchen cabinets, closet
doors, and kitchen wall paneling is from the same tree that grew on
this property... in fact every stick of lumber used to build this
house came from trees growing on this property... that I used real
hardwood flooring for my kitchen couldn't "feel" more right.