Tiles or Hardwood Flooring
I’m renovating my kitchen and my contractor has suggested putting hardwood in the kitchen, since we’re putting new hardwood on the garden floor anyway, since it would make it flow better and make the space look larger. Does anyone have hardwood floors in their kitchens? If so, what are your opinions on hardwood versus tiles…
I’m renovating my kitchen and my contractor has suggested putting hardwood in the kitchen, since we’re putting new hardwood on the garden floor anyway, since it would make it flow better and make the space look larger.
Does anyone have hardwood floors in their kitchens? If so, what are your opinions on hardwood versus tiles in the kitchen?
OP here: 10:06, we have new subfloors. My contractor stated that once the floors are sealed and polyed, except a major leak or flood, which would damage any type of floor.
I’m so conflicted. On one hand, the hardwood floors would make the garden floor flow so much better, yet agree that tiles (I prefer slate) will be easier to maintain.
Brownstoner, are there any polls in the archives regarding tiles vs. hardwood floors in the kitchen? Help!
LOL, 10:06pm. You are the Felix to my Oscar! I like my wood floors because they don’t show the dirt. Oh, I know it’s THERE, but I can’t SEE it.
First of all, if you choose hardwood floors on a renovation of an older building, please pay up for a new subfloor. We put gorgeous brazilian cherry in our ktichen with 3 coats of poly, but over the old subfloor (because no one told us not to, contractor in a hurry to finish). I do so love wood. HOWEVER. I would NEVER do it again if I were renovating myself. (1) Whatever I drop on the floor makes a ding. The floors are dingy. (2) The boards have separated due to humidity. No matter how many coats of poly you use, a crack makes the finish peel. Do you know how hard it is to clean food out of a tiny crack? (3) I have a relatively neat 3-y-old toddler. If she spills a DROPLET of apple juice on the floor, it takes 3 wipings plus floor cleanser before the stickiness is gone. The poly on hardwood floors seems to hold dirt much more than I ever dreamed. Because we like to walk around in bare feet, I have a strictly enforced “no shoes in house” policy. Yet, I swift every day and mop 2x per week to keep the wood floors from being gummy. (4) After this winter, I realized I would have loved to have chosen radiant heat in the kitchen next time and you are ill advised to do that under wood.
You didn’t specifically say “ceramic” – if you go with ceramic I would strongly advise radiant heat. They’re cold and clammy. But they are so much easier to maintain. I think people who moan and cry about grout must be total pigs. If you clean your house you can clean grout. I never understood what is the big deal.
Yes, wood is beautiful, but it is not hassle free. If there is a tile floor you love, why not?
I have 3 coats. But then again, I’m the queen of take out. If you cook alot, you may want more.
How many coats of oil-based poly do you suggest? My contractor says three would be sufficient? Do you agree or disagree?
I have hardwood floors in my kitchen and did it for the same reason you were recommended to. I love to cook and spend lots of hours in my kitchen on my feet. I find the wood floors to be easier on the feet after standing a long time than the harder ceramic tiles.
If you have hardwood floors in your kitchen, just go with extra coats of oil based poly. Yes, if you have nasty leaks, it will damage the floor. On the other hand, if you drop a heavy object on tile, it can crack. And the grout….don’t get me started on the grout! I would do wood in the kitchen if it’s an open plan. If the kitchen is separate, I would use tile. Probably easier to care for, regardless of what I just said.
so i’m going to buy a new construction place with hardwood floors in open kitchen. i’d rather have tiles as well, but given that i don’t have a choice any suggestions about how to mitigate damage? thx.
We had hardwood floors in our kitchen and an old subzero refrigerator that dripped on the floor when it was humid. By the time we junked the fridge, the floors were so warped we had to replace them. I’d think twice about hardwood where there is a lot of water usage like the kitchen and the bathroom.