07-28-2006, 01:32 AM
My experience with hard flooring. I like areas rugs and do not like wall to wall carpet so prefer hard surface flooring.
Number one preference is tile. Drawback is it is hard on the feet especially in kitchen where you stand mostly. Also kiss any dish you drop goodbye. Pluses, cleans like a dream. Use colored grout, it doesn't show dirt. I also pick tiles that don't show dirt, i.e. neutrals or browns with tan or brown grout. if in doubt, take tile outside and throw dirt on it. Pick the one that looks best with local dirt.
I have used marble. It is beautiful but scratches easily.
I have a lot of wood floors. The comment regarding dogs is TRUE. Do not have wood floors if you have large house dogs. I would not worry if the house were post and beam and if you crossed a porch to enter, the cinder would be pretty well gone. Plus, you do take off your shoes in the house, don't you?
If built on a slab, I would not have wood floor, I would look into finishing the concrete nicely or use tile.
Tile can be inexpensive if you lay it yourself. (so can wood flooring) I did two smallish bathrooms in nice tile , including countertops and decorative trim for about 300
total cost. Took 2 or 3 days.
Final comment. Used black grout once. Very beautiful but MESSY! cleanup was a bear. Never ever use white grout anywhere. It will not be white long. (If you use black grout, you will never see milddew) I prefer dirt colored grout.
Number one preference is tile. Drawback is it is hard on the feet especially in kitchen where you stand mostly. Also kiss any dish you drop goodbye. Pluses, cleans like a dream. Use colored grout, it doesn't show dirt. I also pick tiles that don't show dirt, i.e. neutrals or browns with tan or brown grout. if in doubt, take tile outside and throw dirt on it. Pick the one that looks best with local dirt.
I have used marble. It is beautiful but scratches easily.
I have a lot of wood floors. The comment regarding dogs is TRUE. Do not have wood floors if you have large house dogs. I would not worry if the house were post and beam and if you crossed a porch to enter, the cinder would be pretty well gone. Plus, you do take off your shoes in the house, don't you?
If built on a slab, I would not have wood floor, I would look into finishing the concrete nicely or use tile.
Tile can be inexpensive if you lay it yourself. (so can wood flooring) I did two smallish bathrooms in nice tile , including countertops and decorative trim for about 300
total cost. Took 2 or 3 days.
Final comment. Used black grout once. Very beautiful but MESSY! cleanup was a bear. Never ever use white grout anywhere. It will not be white long. (If you use black grout, you will never see milddew) I prefer dirt colored grout.